Thread: FBU? I didn't order no FBU!

To be honest, I didn't look closely at the description which clearly said it had the word 'BARBER' on the blade.



All that I really cared about was that it's a razor made by John Shaw. My grandfather was a Shaw, I have another razor made by a barbershop supply company out of Topeka, Kansas that is plausibly a relative.

I doubt the Sheffield John Shaw is any relation, but... we make what justifications we can to buy these things, yes?

There were FIVE John Shaws in Sheffield circa 1825, all in more or less the same line of work, scattered all around the city.



This razor clearly doesn't date back to 1825. I'd guess late 1830's to 1860's. Most likely this is not the same John Shaw this one.

I haven't chased after the whole For Barbers Use thing because it holds no interest to me. My philosophy is that it's better for them to go to someone with a real interest (however trendy) in the stamp. However I really have wanted a John Shaw razor since I first saw one almost a year ago.

This one is also big. Before all that hone wear, it was probably a full 8/8. Now it's more 15/16.



The tang is stamped, simply "John Shaw's / Celebrated Razor".

They had a lot of parties about objects back in the day. "We are here not to shave with this razor, but to celebrate it."

Also, it's been rescaled at some point.



Kinda poorly rescaled.



The uniformity of the metal darkening, especially on the tang, makes me wonder if it wasn't blued. But then the patina on the blade has the stormy-sky mottle of standard carbon steel aging, so I'm not sure.

My restoration strategy on this is minimal. I'll kill all the rust, polish the metal as-is, refurbish the scales and securely repin it. No sanding or grinding though. I want to keep that deep, dark patina.

I suppose everybody should have at least one FBU. Just because. This one is mine.