The Straight Razor Acquisition Thread

It looks like a very nice razor. I'm looking forward to hearing how you like it.

 

Well, I probably will not shave with it for awhile because I recently bought a used and new Ralf Aust 6/8 Spanish point razors. I only shaved with the used Aust once in Dec. just before the Jan shave focus. So I can't wait until the end of my last shavette shave to enjoy my Austs in February, especially the new one. Also, I don't know if the NOS Friodor would be shave ready because it has not been used and it is 60+ years old. I will try it out in March, but I am expecting that it will need to be honed. I don't have any experience honing and this is a stainless steel razor so I will have it professionally honed.

 

Funny how that happens. I’ve got several in the stable that ended up there this way.

 

What kind of wood is he using on the scales? It’s really unique.

 

The scales are made of Kirnite. https://www.kirinite.com/

 

Odds are that it will need to be honed. It will be nice to save it until you have a little more experience. It’s gonna be a nice razor.

 

So these popped on my radar screen...
2 separate auctions from the same seller. Was it weird that I felt it was my duty to make sure they stayed together???

They are indeed a matched pair (#1 & a #2), E.M. Robinson (edit: found to be E.H.), Bishopsgate St Within. I am not familiar with what “Within” meant, so with a little research it seems Bishopsgate is 1 of 25 wards of London, named after 1 of the 8 original gates in the London Wall. It looks like this Ward straddled the location of the wall, so you had a Bishopsgate Within and a Bishopsgate Without. Thought that was interesting.

How could I have possibly let these two become separated?!??? I was destined to help.
Happy hunting.
Tom

 

You should be commended for fostering those razors!

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That’s exactly what I was thinking.

 

Beautiful Pair of Sheffield Beauties .Stunning work .Any idea of when they were made ?

 

Thanks Mike. I haven’t found a Robinson cutler or retailer, other than a grocer. Best guess would be late 1800’s but nothing I have found to narrow it down.

 

Looks like the M is really an H, so E.H. Robinson of 53 Bishopsgate

Also found an advert for cutlery, specifically razors in 1865.
Cool stuff.
Tom

 

Great Research .

What type of finish do you plan on giving those Sheffield works of art .

 

Got a couple ideas... I will probably go with 2 of these 3: Coticule, Thuringian and/or Charnley Forest. Any suggestions?

 

I love a Coticule followed by a Thuri with Sheffield Steel .It will give you a very smooth edge .If you finish with the Charnley Forrest it will be a little less smooth but have a crisp edge .You could finish # 1 with the Thuri and #2 with the Charnley.I find the key with Softer Sheffield Steel is to finish them in the 10-14 K range .I do not think that most older Sheffield Sheffield Steel likes to push passed the 14 K mark .

 

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the insight.

 

Love the Ivory Scales.

 

Amazing, great detective work too! I hope you enjoy them!


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Thanks guys.
One of those opportunities where the seller’s pics leave some risk, but the risk paid off. Also didn’t hurt that the auctions ended late evening on the west coast... didn’t have to compete with some of you out there, and that the “handles” were described as Bakelite might have helped.

 

I saw the auctions, just now. You stole those.