Thread: Scale wedge made of lead?

Thursday I visited friends in Pottsville PA. Thirty minutes after I left Pottsville, I stopped at an Antique store in Leesport PA and found this razor made for L C THOMPSON of Pottsville PA

Quite a coincidence. The name on the blade etching is "SENSATION" .

I've never heard of this razor. It had some rust on the blade and tang. I sanded and buffed it to 98-99% like new and the hinge pin hole was very irregular in shape so I filled it with epoxy and will re-drill it. The blade width is 15/16. A very substantial blade and I am guessing the grind to be roughly about 3/4 full hollow. If there is such a thing!!

Also, what I found is that the scale wedge is made of lead. This is the first lead wedge I have encountered. I am wondering what time period lead wedges were used for razors.

Thanks in advance for any info on the lead wedge..............

Thats a nice razor you have there..!

I'm not sure exactly of the time period lead wedges were used, but my razors that have them are all from the mid to late 1800's. My more modern razors have wooden, metal or celluloid wedges.

Jerry,

Very nice razor

Mr Neil Miller (www.strop-shop.co.uk) has started using lead wedges on some of his re-scales; I have a Gotta 120 in Rams horn that he has put a lead wedge in. It looks great !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Lead wedges were pretty common up until about WWI. I don't think I have any after that time with a lead wedge.

Nice razor, I like the inscription "without a rival, without a peer" very cool
Cant help with the wedge question though.

I can't help with the era either but I can tell you that a lot of the big old Sheffields had them. It probably helped with the balance.

Goins Encyclopedia didn't have anything on it, but from most of my razors, around the 20's is where the lead wedges end. Considering that it doesn't have the country of origin, it would have been before 1891...this is when the Madrid Trade Accord required the country of origin. I'd be willing to bet that those aren't the original scales, but it sure is a fine blade. Nice find!

Lead was common for that period.

Beautiful razor.

Don't lick the lead.......not good for you.........

Have fun,

Lynn

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Goins Encyclopedia didn't have anything on it, but from most of my razors, around the 20's is where the lead wedges end. Considering that it doesn't have the country of origin, it would have been before 1891...this is when the Madrid Trade Accord required the country of origin. I'd be willing to bet that those aren't the original scales, but it sure is a fine blade. Nice find!

______________________________________
_____________________________________________
Shooter,
The scales are bone - I cleaned them up with steelwool and lots of MAAS.
__________________________________________________-

[QUOTE by Lynn -
Lead was common for that period.

Beautiful razor.

Don't lick the lead.......not good for you.........

Have fun,

Lynn ]
_____________-
Lynn
I work in the lead-acid battery mfg business where we are checked for blood/lead level every six months. Dangerous stuff that lead.

Then I stand to be corrected, sorry. Could very well be original. Still one heck of a nice razor!