Thread: 8/8+ Marshes and Shepherd Masonic etched razor

Marshes and Shepherd, 1817 - 1825

Rounded pressed horn handles
Blade is 14/16 and goes up to 1 inch &.05/16
Spine is 1/4 thick.

I've had this one for a bit but just found the photos. Wullie inspired this one.
I wish that I could say that its condition has improved but I am afraid to touch the blade with anything that might harm the surface so for now it waits patiently with my 38 other 8/8 blades till someone finds a cure for patina-itis. The horrible affliction that cripples our Masonic, Etched, Sand blasted and Engraved Straight Razor communities.

Wont you please help by donating your money, expensive honing equipment and any other 8/8 - 10/8 razors that I dont have to this wonderful charity...

Thanks for looking

Cheetah Meat

Nice old razor and desirable maker.

I think the etch is pretty much toast on that one. Looks like somebody at some time tried to clean it and took out the "frosting". You might try taking a No 2 lead pencil and using the lead end, polish/write/scribble or whatever you wish to call it and go over that etch. It won't hurt the steel, nor will it mark it. It will remove most of the rust. When you get tired of writing on it, wipe it off with a soft cloth and see if it helps it any. I don't think it will hurt it.

The only way that I know of to make it bright again would be to polish it enough to get the symbols shiny, then trace them with a resist compound and re-dip the blade in acid to bring the background frosting back. I think that would be a daunting task myself.

Either way, it's cool.

THIRTY EIGHT 8/8's you say?

BLOODY 'ELL!! I say. Mine and one more make 2 for me.

38? Geez mate leave some for the rest of us!

As for that guy I wouldn't change a thing! Restoring that would be like filling Grandmas wrinkles - don't hide the history!

Humm... now, you will JUST have to show us a group picture of them.

WOW! I was just kidding about 38 8/8's....geez cut me some slack LOL I'm still a newbie remember. But because there is sooooo much pressure now. I have to man up and show my Meat Cleaver Collection. Not for the faint of heart. Keep your hands inside the ride at all times.

8/8 Marches & Shepherd Masonic Etched Wedge

8/8 Bingham Late F. Feeney Tally Ho Sheffield

8/8 W&B For Barbers Use - slight frown

8/8 W&B For Barbers Use (another one)

9/8 George Brittain Anchor Wedge (that I want Undream to restore)

8/8 Filarmonic Doble 14 blue scales

15/8 "Oregon Barber Special" hand crafted

17/16 W&B Hollow Ground with wood scales (top of 2nd pic)

8/8 W&B wedge

8/8 W&B Tapered Edge

9/8 W&B For Barbers Use

8/8 F Reynolds " The Old English Razor" blonde scales

8/8 W&B Masonic Etched Wedge

Thanks for looking

Cheetah Meat

Originally Posted by Wullie

Nice old razor and desirable maker.

I think the etch is pretty much toast on that one. Looks like somebody at some time tried to clean it and took out the "frosting". You might try taking a No 2 lead pencil and using the lead end, polish/write/scribble or whatever you wish to call it and go over that etch. It won't hurt the steel, nor will it mark it. It will remove most of the rust. When you get tired of writing on it, wipe it off with a soft cloth and see if it helps it any. I don't think it will hurt it.

The only way that I know of to make it bright again would be to polish it enough to get the symbols shiny, then trace them with a resist compound and re-dip the blade in acid to bring the background frosting back. I think that would be a daunting task myself.

Either way, it's cool.

THIRTY EIGHT 8/8's you say?

BLOODY 'ELL!! I say. Mine and one more make 2 for me.

Thanks for your imput Wullie. Forgive my ignorance but these Masonic symbols are raised off of the surface of the blade - like "running your finger over grandmas blue veins" kinda raised as opposed to frosted etched like your Greaves. The W&B Masonic is the same way. It's slight but you can feel it - like grandma's pulse. SO I'm not sure if I should send to 6guns to see if he can run it in the sand tumbler contraption. I really don't want to lose these etches...just like I don't want to lose grandma. She's behind in the rent though so I might have to put her out and use her room as a straight razor display area....LMAO

Cheetah