New problem. This flat file (8 drawers, each ~ 25”W x 19”D) will hold too many razors. I am already backlogged on honing/restoration.

Back to the well... Another Portland Razor Company carbon steel SR from the same seller as my Sprite. Custom 7/8 version of the Gustave. Hefty, very hefty.


The felt sleeve is a nice touch, and almost as hefty as the razor. Ultra protective.

You've got good problems.

And those problems are all your fault, at least the SRs.

I should have pointed out your culpability to my better half. I’m sure that would have helped yesterday evening when I was explaining my need for a hulking item of vintage furniture. It was getting a little cool, even for December, for a moment or two.

Not only am I culpable, I also get to share your enjoyment in learning new skills. Now it's time to learn to restore 80 year old fountain pens.

These on the way from France, seller’s images. The case is a strong draw for me, I love the old razor cases. If only they were matched....

Come on, they are obviously soul mates. What better match?

I’m still doing penance for all the Parker cartridge fountain pens I destroyed between 3rd grade and the arrival of the Bic.

Well the Souveran doesn’t match the box branding and the other one does, and is just a prettier razor I think. I am interested how the Souveran cleans up though.

They match. Come on the faux tortoise handles. They look nice. Can't wait to see the one with spine work cleaned up.

I am trying to do some research on two razors a 96-year old friend of mine acquired about 60 years ago from an antique dealer in Ohio. They supposedly belonged to Samuel Henley Phillips, a captain in the Revolutionary War. I'm a bit suspicious because the only SHP I could find would have been too young to have been an officer in the Rev War; W1812, maybe. Anyway, I thought I'd try going about this a different way and research the razors. From what I am able to find, my hunch is they're about 1810-ish. One is marked "Rodgers Refined Steel" and the other is "Clark & Hall Warranted". The box they came seems to be leather-covered paste board with some line decorations and a * type mark. I am (I hope) attaching some pictures. If anyone can give me some insight into these razors, I certainly would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Jim

Beautiful razors and welcome. The Clark & Hall looks to be turn of the century as you assumed:
CLARK & HALL
Sheffield
1797-1823 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)

Oldies. 200 or so, years old.

Those are awesome! I love the curvy-ness of the lower one, the Clark & Hall, I believe.

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I’m jealous, the scales on the Bismarck look so much better than the scales on mine. Congratulations on your new additions to your den.

Picked up a nice German 7/8” , hollow, heavy shaver. The tang and spine are blued, the lettering is gold. Very fine jimping on the bottom of the tang. Excellent shape, no hone wear, scorches or other damage. The original box is even like new.
But.... Della Bella, I cannot find any info on that name. Any of you old sages have anything??

No exact matches, but Th. Book, and Schmauk and Müller both used ‘Prima Bella’ which might be a clue that one (or both of them) used a variation.

It’s hard to find without a tool to search text but the reference is here:

https://www.archivingindustry.com/cutlers&toolmakers/razormakers.htm

If that is the one i remember, it had a VERY nice Buy It Now... I stupidly wanted even a better deal and went too low. That is a great purchase on a beauty of a razor Keith!
Tom

Thanks Tom. I haven’t tossed it on the scale yet, but it’s definitely a heavy weight. Definitely obscure. Scales are the same style as my TI.

Keith, I have never heard of that name before but it looks like you make a nice addition to the den.