Thread: Roll the eBay dice: get an 1820's Stenton Masonic razor.

Well ?? Looks like we need a Mason to set us straight! You could be right.

I think that may be a Templar? Which is Part of the Mason lore.. Or perhaps Scottish Rite which is the 32 degree of Masonic levels. That looks like an Angle symbol above his head?

All of that deep pitting will not allow for a full restore. How will you duplicate the etch, it seems to me the bulk of it is gone?

I would be in favor of leaving the razor as is with just the surface rust carefully cleaned off. Hone it and enjoy it. My opinion with shining it up and re-etching is that it removes the history and character of the razor which can never be undone. Less is more in situations like this....

Originally Posted by Wintchase

I think that may be a Templar? Which is Part of the Mason lore.. Or perhaps Scottish Rite which is the 32 degree of Masonic levels. That looks like an Angle symbol above his head?

Yes, it's definitely the same compass & angle as the one on Wullie's Greaves. I did a little bit of digging around last night, but Masonic lore is a wide ocean to dip into without knowing where to start.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

All of that deep pitting will not allow for a full restore. How will you duplicate the etch, it seems to me the bulk of it is gone?

If I were to go that route, I'd regrind the blade. Since the etch is from standard (somewhere, somewhen!) Masonic imagery, I would carefully track down all the elements and put them back on as they were. There's more of the etch remaining than it might at first seem.

Originally Posted by mattluthier

I would be in favor of leaving the razor as is with just the surface rust carefully cleaned off. Hone it and enjoy it. My opinion with shining it up and re-etching is that it removes the history and character of the razor which can never be undone. Less is more in situations like this....

The side I'm coming down on, the more I think about it, is minimalist. If I knew a Mason that the etches were meaningful for, and knew what they meant, and I wanted to give this as a gift, I'd fully document the cleanup and re-etch. But if it's just a razor for my collection, I think it's probably better as-is.

You mention for your "collection", is this razor going to be used or just collect dust?

Originally Posted by Martin103

You mention for your "collection", is this razor going to be used or just collect dust?

Very definitely shaved with.

Originally Posted by Johnus

From this last photo; I'm not sure it's Masonic ? Man in the Moon? Not sure...

It is indeed Masonic.




Your friendly Mason.

I'm going on F bay right now and I'm going to find me another Masonic Blade that someone can affix to various posts at will. Let me cash in my retirement fund first. Be right back.

Originally Posted by cheetahmeatpheonix

I'm going on F bay right now and I'm going to find me another Masonic Blade that someone can affix to various posts at will. Let me cash in my retirement fund first. Be right back.

Young grass hoppah, a blade does not a Mason make.

Yours Truly,
Hiram A.