Lord & Harvey "Patriotic Razor"

[Joanne]

I recently purchased a Lord & Harvey razor that has a horn handle. The handle is carved and has George Washington, 13 stars, "E Pluribus Unum & Independence" in an oval, a Federal Eagle, under which seems to be a name...Witon? Wilson? a cornucopia with the word Washington below it, and what looks like a Liberty Cap. The blade has rust. It is marked Lord & Harvey on one side. I have three questions and hope you can advise me...How do you clean the horn & blade without harming either, can you estimate a date, and if it is a name under the cornucopia, is there information on the people who carved these handles for L & H. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
It was hard to photograph the handle...hopefully the images uploaded correctly. Joanne

[nun2sharp]

To keep it 100% original I would not pop it apart. Sand the blade with some wet and dry automotive sand paper, use the highest grit you can and still be effective and efficient. Once the rust and patina are gone move up the grits until you stop after the 2000 grit level. Once sanded use a polish similar to Maas, Fltz, Cape Cod or Mothers to bring up the shine. You may have to live with a little rust and tarnish here and there(in the scales, around the pivot) but so what. As for the scales I would use a tooth brush and toothpaste to clean them thoroughly without harming them. a good soaking or a heavy application of neatsfoot oil will help to preserve them and make them shine naturally. Be wary of chemicals. Be patient and be gentle.

It looks very nice, good luck.

[Joanne]

Thank you. I will take your advise. I thought I might have to wait days before anyone saw my post...this was amazingly quick. Regards, Joanne

[Malacoda]

No info for Lord & Harvey in Goin's Encyclopedia for Cutlery Marking... but, judging by the shape of the tang, I'd guess-timate it as pre-1840.

[Joanne]

Thank you for your reply. You saved me from trying to find the Goins Encyl. I found a small blurb online about the last date Lord & Harvey worked... 1830 (I think), and I found a similar razor with a paler colored horn handle from a 2009 auction listing, but the blade had a different blade maker's name, and they didn't put a date on it. It was either a Heritage or Cowan auction...the handle had all the same carvings, it also had the name "Wilson" at the very bottom edge on one side, as does mine. Are there any books or links online specifically for British makers?

[Malacoda]

The only online site/list I know of doesn't have any info for Lord & Harvey either...

I'm afraid the only other potential route of discovery I can point to is a bit of a slightly difficult longshot - in the form of old antique magazines as described here: Lummus Old Sheffield Razors

...and that's assuming the Lord & Harvey was even made in Sheffield, England...

[Voidmonster]

The only online site/list I know of doesn't have any info for Lord & Harvey either...

I'm afraid the only other potential route of discovery I can point to is a bit of a slightly difficult longshot - in the form of old antique magazines as described here: Lummus Old Sheffield Razors

...and that's assuming the Lord & Harvey was even made in Sheffield, England...

I recommend using this index instead.

I can find directory information on Lord & Harvey from 1825 to 1846, operating out of Sheffield.

As for the razor pictured, there are some puzzling elements. The blade appears to have been reground and I'm not certain the scales are original. Is the Lord & Harvey mark on the blade or the scales?

[redrover66]

"The handle is carved and has George Washington, 13 stars, "E Pluribus Unum & Independence" in an oval, a Federal Eagle, under which seems to be a name...Witon? Wilson? a cornucopia with the word Washington below it, and what looks like "
Of course you may know by now that the scales/handles were pressed out of horn and not carved. Acording to Doyle's 1980 book(page 27-28)
"From 1810-20.....(about 8 lines not listed) During this same period a handle design appeared and disappeared never to be manufactured again. The pattern was always done on horn. The manufacturer would place the horn handle, whild hot, into a die and press a design into the horn"
That is a real "keeper"

[Bruno]

Yes on this occasion I would not take it apart. Just clean it up as well as possible.
And I think neatsfoot oil is a good choice for treating the horn.
early 1800s seems the most likely. Definitely a keeper.

[strawinski]

hi, this is my Lord & Harvey. It comming from Swize. The Scales has a great Design.