A month or two ago I discovered a George Wostenholm and Sons chopper at an antique store... She measured a hair under 8/8, had a barber's notch (my favorite!) and wore a lovely blade etch that said "Geo. Wostenholm & Sons / -Patent Hollow Ground-" (although she had the barest hollowing...) However, there was a fair-to-large amount of pitting, and some awful devil's spit on/by the etch... as I had JUST acquired my first buffer, I refused to tackle such a beautiful -and valuable- treasure.. And, alas, her scales were cracked... So, I bided my time, sitting on it for a month or more until my skills were on par with this blade....
Then I decided "screw it. I want it noooooow!" like every good American! So, I set about deciding which material to scale it with, and what shape... Then a memory struck me... It was a personal-design Mastro Livi, and it had the most beautiful set of scales I had seen to date... They were simple but bold, and the wood was what truly set them apart. A gorgeous Buckeye Burl, a wood I had never seen before (I have always been partial to burls, mind you) that caught my eye and held it...
To save you the details, the blade went off to our very own CannonFodder (Dave Stephens) for some scaling, polishing and honing. While it was in the works, Dave mentioned that he had turned a brush in Buckeye Burl to match the Livi to which I refer, but the handle was simply to large for him... He offered to include the brush with my razor for what I consider a pittance compared to the quality of the brush, so I quickly assembled my funds and sent them to him and practically stole this brush...
Just this afternoon, the UPS man came a'knocking and left me with the most gorgeous non-custom razor I have seen to date. The scales are large and glorious, and fit the massive blade like a dream. The edge was chipped up quite badly, but was saved wonderfully, and the blade still measures over 15/16. The pivot is perfect, the balance exceptional, and the blade gorgeous... And the brush, simply sublime...It is indeed a tall fellow, but it fits my hands absolutely perfectly and the knot, a 26mm silvertip, fit perfectly and snugly. I must admit to some apprehension... My favored brush size being 22-24, a 26 seemed a little frightful... but this knot is set deeper than most which suits me absolutely perfectly. The backbone is wonderful, the tips are luxurious, the bloom is by no means overpowering, and the lather is so sweet.
The two compliment eachother so excellently, and the balance of both is fantastic. And they are both perfect in my hands. I honestly couldn't be happier.
As I finish typing this, I am off to shave test this gorgeous brick of steel and burl, in what I am sure will be my finest shave to date. Mr. Stephens, you are truly a master of your craft, and will most likely hear back from me soon. Thank you for the work and dedication!
(Sorry my photography isn't the best.. Camera Phones :boohoo:)
Enough talking from me! Gentlemen, Ladies; My Buckeye Beauties:
