Thread: GEORGE WOSTENHOLM blade etching

I have a GEORGE WOSTENHOLM and Son Washington Works celebrated IXL that originally had an etched blade. what i can still make out says "The Damascus". I'm trying to find someone who has an image of the original etching, I want to re etch the blade after I finish the restoration.

Is it one of these? http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...-damascus.html

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is it one of these? http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...-damascus.html

I just cleaned up this exact same razor for my personal collection. I didn't dare touch the Damascus portion with greaseless or sanding of any kind. I just spent awhile with black emory and it shined it right up. There was some slight pitting remaining, but I would rather have that than loose the blade etch and damascus pattern. I'm not even sure they are damascus or just made to look like it with the swirls (ala the wonderedge tang).

For the spine and tang I tape up the blade with electrical tape and carefully hit those with greaseless and emory. Turned out great (and one I've been meaning to post in the restoration forum).

these aren't the best but this is the razor. it has a pre 1845 monkey tail, it's a wedge, and a very shallow barbers notch. I tried to get a pic of the remaining etching but it's not going to work with my cell phone. I'll try to get better pics when I get home.

Wostenholm pictures by bishpick1 - Photobucket

For what it's worth, I only use the tumbler method on etched blades...

After looking at the blade...your best bet may be to just slick up the blade and enjoy it with all the pitting. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice blade but needs the pitting taken care of before you entertain much else...

I know I will have to polish the blade before etching restoration, but what appears to be pits aren't. That is what remains of the etching, it was reverse etched (Polished lettering with the full blade etched) similar to this one. but much more elaborate. this is why I want the image of the original etching, it's just to rare to not try. "The Damascus" is written in a banner near the barbers notch, it has three large letters in the center of the blade one of which I believe is a "B". I've seen on-line that Wostenholm produced catalogs with drawings of their razors i was in the hope that someone here would have some of these catalogs in their collection and might look and see if they have this particular one. it is the only Wostenholm I've ever seen with "The Damascus" I've seen several with just Damascus. maybe that will make it easier to find, maybe harder.


STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - George Wostenholm & Sons, Sheffield. (12th picture down)