Thread: Dating an old Wostenholm

It definitely looks pre-1980 to me.

Originally Posted by Hopper

As far I can tell... there is no etching on the blade itself. In fact, I have another one looks just like this one that is coming in the mail.

Hmm.. Yes I see. Strange. I was thinking maybe it once had one of those etchings that come off with a few wipes of maas.. An etching like this one has:



But it's not easy to tell. I have never seen one with nothing but a "Geo.Wostenholm & Son's" marking and the pipe on the other side like that.

This is the only one with Geo.Wostenholm & Son's..etc.. I've seen but it's an IXL razor..



Fancy etches were popular from around 1850-1880, wedges not so popular after 1880, So I'd still say it's from that period. Maybe closer to 1860 or 1870 as Dylan says. But I am certainly no expert. Just interested in razor history

Originally Posted by MisterA

Hmm.. Yes I see. Strange. I was thinking maybe it once had one of those etchings that come off with a few wipes of maas.. An etching like this one has:



But it's not easy to tell. I have never seen one with nothing but a "Geo.Wostenholm & Son's" marking and the pipe on the other side like that.

This is the only one with Geo.Wostenholm & Son's..etc.. I've seen but it's an IXL razor..

...

Fancy etches were popular from around 1850-1880, wedges not so popular after 1880, So I'd still say it's from that period. Maybe closer to 1860 or 1870 as Dylan says. But I am certainly no expert. Just interested in razor history

I think that is exactly why I pick it up in the first place... the (hi)story behind it.

It is a big wedge, ~ 7/8... for a Pipe anyway.

Originally Posted by MisterA

Not easy to see if it says 1824 or 1894.. (Or is it 1694!?!) I think we should ask Manah himself.
Goin's Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings says Wostenholm has used the pipe symbol since 1851.

Of course 1694.
But where is the all razor?
Impossible to date razor according only these stamps on the photos in the first post.
The razor was made before 1891 and nothing more.

This will only be guessing of course, but if we take into consideration that "1850-1870 was the zenith period of the old style razors. The wedge-shaped blade was still popular and it's flat surface was utilized to it's fullest by cutler artists. Company name brands began to appear on blade tangs." and that "Photo etching on the flat part of wedge blades became popular through the 1860s. Scenes and beautiful patterns were often the subject of these etchings." * - And then look at these razors from the 1860s:


with very similar design and shape (no.1 and 3 from the top), I'd say it's not unreasonable to assume that your razor would be from this period of time. Even if it might not have had an etching, It's really quite similar to these other razors in made around 1860-70 don't you think?

I have in fact had a lot of difficulty in finding any Wostenholm razors that I would say were made in the years 1823-1860.. I have seen WOSTENHOLME razors (Pre 1815), WOSTENHOLM razors (1815-1823 or 1797-1823 according to the Lummus articles) and G.Wostenholm & Son or Geo.Wostenholm & Son razors that look like they were made sometime after 1870 but I have never seen any that look like they were made in those years inbetween.

I have also found that I*XL might not have been used by Wostenholm until 1826 and that they didn't sell well in England in the 1830s but instead sold a lot to America. And mostly cutlery and knives.

"On 3rd October 1826 George Wostenholm was made a freeman of the Cutlers' Company and was given his own trade mark l*XL an old mark once belonging to W.A.Smith in 1787, this mark was now to become world famous." **

"In the 1830's the two Georges entered a partnership with William Stenton, a buyer for Naylor and Sanderson's of Sheffield. William Stenton opened up markets in America for the surplus stock that the Wostenholms had on their hands in the 1830's. They were experiencing a slump in trade in the home markets." **

"During the period 1830-60 the firm added to its cutlery and razor trade a new product the Bowie knife. The knife became increasingly popular in America, but no American company was able equal the artistry and quality of the Sheffield manufactures. This one product meant the firm in 1862 was almost exclusively selling to an American market.
" **

Not sure what to make of it all, but maybe they actually didn't manufacture too many razors in the years 1823-1860? Very interesting to look into all this and try to figure it out, but very frustrating with this "black hole" with no proof of any razors having been made.. It is almost 40 years..

Hopefully someone can shed some light on this


*Standard Guide to Straight Razors
** Tilt Hammer - Steel City Founders - George Wostenholm

I have in fact had a lot of difficulty in finding any Wostenholm razors that I would say were made in the years 1823-1860.

Don't worry, I hope, we'll find some razors.
One razor from 1850, I've found:

Great work Manah!

I just found this: Designs and patents for articles of utility from September 10, 1850.. I think it's for exactly that razor in your picture!!

Yes, it's "Doubly Carbonized I*XL Razor", "Registered Sep.10, 1850. No.2434".

"On 3rd October 1826 George Wostenholm was made a freeman of the Cutlers' Company and was given his own trade mark l*XL an old mark once belonging to W.A.Smith in 1787, this mark was now to become world famous." **

But he became a Master Cutler of the Cutlers' Company only in 1856.
List of Masters.

Yes.. This from "A Short History of Sheffield Cutlery and The House of Wostenholm (1745-1945)" by Harold Bexfield, first edition,1945. *

“Free and easy variations in spelling were very usual in early days and the name Wolstenholme is recorded in many forms in the Registers of Sheffield Cathedral and the surrounding parishes; for example, Wostenholme, Worstenholme and even Worsam, the first entry being in 1598.

It was the second George Wolstenholme who stabilised the spelling of the name of the firm. He found the name inconveniently long for the tangs of small pen knives and shortened to “Wostenholm” by cutting out the first “L” and the final “E” He spelled his name as George Wostenholm when signing the register at Rotherham Parish Church on the occasion of his second marriage on the 6th March, 1815.”

The family have several different versions, probably dressed up a little more by each generation for the next. This is one version I have heard most over the years:-

The Second George Wolstenholme was never in agreement with the Master Cutler of the day (His son the third George Wostenholm would refuse the post twice before taking it up in 1856).

George was trying to register new trademarks for the firm and knew from previous arguments with the trade board suspected that his initial plans would be rejected. It was decided to enter the full name Wolstenholme expecting the board rejection.

As predicted the board refused the mark and told him that he may use only ten letters and that given the name Wolstenholme contains twelve letters the full Trade mark would not be granted. He then immediately submitted a trade name that agreed with the “new” ruling, as Wostenholm, which required the “new” statutory amount of letters but was pronounced in the same way, therefore outwitting the board.
I have also heard in one version of the tale that “i*xl” was initially suggested as “i*x*l” knowing that it would be refused also and that the second * could be removed to retain i*xl (I Excel) before the board realised its meaning, but as this trade mark was originally granted to Smiths in 1787, it appears to be another way to keep the younger members of the family entertained.


* according to a post in this forum Wostenholm IXL