Thread: Greaves & Sons -- The Lexington razor.

Most likely, this razor was made around 1826. When I get home I plan to fix up the scales and clean the blade a little, but it'll otherwise remain as-is.




It doesn't look that much like an 1826 razor. The tail is awfully long and defined.

But the tang stamp...



That's actively old-fashioned, even in the 1820's (which was probably the point). Curiously, the two other examples I was able to find of this razor had completely different Greaves logos.



I'm a sucker for Greaves razors, and a sucker for old long-cut (shoulderless) blades, so I didn't really have a choice here.





I don't anticipate a lot of problems fixing the scales.

And while I'm not 100% sure about the date, I do know these guys got it wrong:


(This article ran in a several newspapers around Pennsylvania in June, 1876.)

Nice razor for sure. I am no razor expert by any means but my thoughts are basic observation/questions. It's maybe had the scales off at one time? They are upside down right? They look straight in the pictures but hard to tell. And the mix of old with new combined with the date make me think special edition commemorative or something along those lines.

Great looking razor. I love shouldreless blades l as well. How fitting that this is posted today.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Nice razor for sure. I am no razor expert by any means but my thoughts are basic observation/questions. It's maybe had the scales off at one time? They are upside down right? They look straight in the pictures but hard to tell. And the mix of old with new combined with the date make me think special edition commemorative or something along those lines.

1826 would've been the 50 year anniversary, hence my guess about the date. I don't think the scales have been off or are modified other than the glue that's holding the broken piece on. The writing is in the same orientation as the 'Sheaf Works' pressed scales. In fact, it's very similar overall to this razor:

Originally Posted by luteplayers

Great looking razor. I love shouldreless blades l as well. How fitting that this is posted today.

I have to admit, I've had it for a couple days and held off posting. I'm sure they were sold on eBay in time for July 4th on purpose too.

Indeed fitting for the day! Perhaps a dedicated razor only used on the holiday! The blade design typical of Greaves in very good condition will for sure yield fine shaving. What to say about the scales! Dedicated and fabricated for America, shame about the break, but from your others restoration your highly capable of fixing it. Wondering how many of these were made? thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Martin103

Indeed fitting for the day! Perhaps a dedicated razor only used on the holiday! The blade design typical of Greaves in very good condition will for sure yield fine shaving. What to say about the scales! Dedicated and fabricated for America, shame about the break, but from your others restoration your highly capable of fixing it. Wondering how many of these were made? thanks for sharing!

Yes, it'd be especially appropriate out in southern California where fireworks are all kinds of illegal!

I was able to find two other examples of this razor. One on a German blade forum, the other through 'Worthpoint', it was an eBay sale in 2007.

The one on the German forum had the Greaves logo with the fencing foils. The old eBay sale was a bit harder to make out. Looking at it again, I think it's actually the same logo as the one I've got, but it's a very small image.

Wow, just beautiful. I love my Greaves & Sons, and I don't think I've ever seen one that I didn't like

I have a Sheaf Works Greaves razor that I absolutely love. Now I want yours. :P Congrats on owning her.

Look what reached home today:





Exactly what's described on the Centennial Razor paper: "...on the other end of the case is the date, "April 19, 1775". These inscription are in raised letters, first stamped upon white paper and then pasted upon the case."

What's funny (from a US point of view), is the conclusion "From these dates it will be observed that the case is more than a year older than the razor". Didn't people know at that time that the American Revolution War started on April 19, 1775 (Lexington and Concord battle) and led to the Declaration of Independence (July 4th 1776) ?

It seems that the blade only needs a gentle cleaning to shine like new, and a little CA to fix the broken scale.

That's a fine example - now stand by for an avalanche of posts asking you not to shine the blade.