Thread: Dating an old Wostenholm

I have seen this Wostenholm stamp a few times in the old threads, but no one put a date to it. Any idea? Thanks!!

What does the rest of the razor look like?

I think the pipe symbol has been in use since 1851. It would help to see more of the razor..

This from Manah's webpage.. It's from an official Wostenholm book/catalogue:



STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - George Wostenholm & Sons, Sheffield.

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.

1919 edition of Register of Trade Marks of the Cutler's Company of Sheffield:



This from House of Wostenholm 1969 edition:



So it seems that the trademark was registered in 1694, and that they may not have started using it on razors in until 1851 or 1862 depending on what source you decide to go with.

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

Here are a couple more pictures... it is a wedge with horn scale. The black part of the cutting edge is the reflection of my shirt. What confuses me is the first "GEO" of the stamp "GEO.WOSTEMHOLM & SON'S." I have seen the stamp with "G", "GEORGE" or none... as MisterA's post shown.

looks like mid to late 19th century - old-looking to have a pipe on it, at least from what I have seen so far

Judging by the tail, that it's a wedge and a pipe razor, I'd place it in the 1845-1870 range.. Since it says Geo.Wostenholm & Son's I also think there was some kind of etching on the blade. As in Geo.Wostenholm & Son's Original Pipe Razor or something like that.