I sold this razor last week shame if it were a 6/8 I think I may have kept the razor. 5/8 Vintage Geo. Ibberson "Firths Stainless" Straight Razor, Sheffield This is a very nice vintage razor made by the celebrated Sheffield firm of George Ibberson. It was made from Firth's Stainless steel, and the two combine to make it a bit of a museum piece. First we will talk about George Ibberson. The Ibberson name first found mention in cutlery records in 1666. Joseph Ibberson was a Master Cutler in 1759. In the late 1700s John and George Ibberson were knife makers. However, we are concerned with the George Ibberson, born around 1835. George was apprenticed to Joseph Rodgers & sons but in 1871 he set up with Albert Wilson to form Wilson & Ibberson, Exchange Gateway, Fargate, Sheffield. In 1874 George set up his own business in West Street, at the Central Works. IN the 1880s the now famous violin corporate mark was purchased from John C. Skinner. George died aged 64 in 1899, and Joseph William Ibberson took control. In 1911 they moved to Rockingham Street. They did well to survive the war period, making a film in 1926 and employing such well-known craftsmen as forger Ted Swinden, Bill Thackray who hardened, tempered and set the marks and Ted Osborne and his now famous apprentice Stan Shaw. The company survived WW" as well, but was taken over in the 1980s by British Syphons Industries. This razor was made from the comparatively new alloy of stainless steel. Firth Brown Steels made the steel - it was a merger between Thomas Brown & Co and Thomas Firth & Sons. The now famous Harry Brearley formulated the first stainless steel while working in the Firth Brown labs in 1912, going into production in 1913 and being well established by 1915. However, WW1 slowed down research into the new 'marvel' alloy. Ibberson's were sent the first samples. It was called 'rustless' at first, then 'stainless'. The early 'rustless' steel was OK for cutlery and flatware, but not so good for razors. However, reserach continued and by the time the name changed to rustless and Harry had left Firth-Brown it was a fine steel for razors. I would date the razor as mid to late 1920s - I wouldn't be at all surprised if it coincided with the release of the Ibberson film in 1926. What a list of luminaries of the razor world are encompassed by this razor - Ibbersons, Firth-Brown, Harry Brearley, Stan Shaw, etc, etc.
And looking like the day it was made... I don't know how you can part with one like that. Seems like it would feel like selling one of your children.
