Not quite sure how this happened as I had already told myself to not buy ANY more straight razors this year no matter what as I have too many unfinished projects as it is...but...uh...$30 later I find myself the potentially proud owner of this Wostenholm "IXL". Any thoughts comments on how good a razor it is/can be as well as history (rough date) would be greatly appreciated! But that's it - not a single more straight razor this year! (I haven't received the razor yet so these are auction photos...I can snap better/more ones in a week's time):
Yes! The problem is he has sworn not to buy another straight razor this year. What if the real thing comes along?
Latter half of the 19th century, figure 1860-1879-ish. "IXL" is wostenholms trademark used on a variety of razor styles. I have owned a number of Wostys (currently about a dozen) including two of the models pictured (5/8 hollow-notched, single-shouldered engraved blade; hard to tell if the scales were original as most from that era were of black horn). Sheffield steel made an excellent blade. For $30 you did well. That model in primed condition would sell on eBay in the $175-200 range.
Wow, thanks that's way older than I thought and it's now the oldest razor I own. I think. It was described as "a near wedge grind". Is that the same thing as saying "a near hollow grind"?
I think it might be a 'glass if half empty - half full' kinda thing. If you're optimistic in that it will get better it's partly sunny...but if you know the day is a write-off then it's partly cloudy
In the near-middle of this image. Here's a restore I did on a similar razor last August: Wosty IXL restore
I was going to guess 1880+/- 5 years, so great minds think alike, eh Kevin? In looking at the photos, it does seem to have a bit of concavity. I'm betting it's quarter hollow. None the less. It's a good ol' Wosty.
