I just inherited my Grandfather's straight razor, and 'd like to get some history on it if possible. The tang is stamped IXL Geo. Wostenholm & Son Sheffield,Eng. and the blade is etched with CANUCK. I don't expect this to be a "vintage" razor, but I'd love to get a rough idea as to when it might have been made.
It's a quality razor and in great shape! I think it qualifies as vintage but I guess it depends on your definition. Not sure exactly when it might have been made.
I'm not having a huge amount of luck finding any details on this razor... I was talking to my Dad an he thinks it might pre-date him, which would put it pre 1949 which is quite possible. Initially I thought that the coffin was originally, but I'm not to sure after seeing some other Wostenholm's online, with Wolstenhom on the actual coffin. The markings on mine are worn and hard to read, but I think part of it is "19 Jermyn Street"... an interesting street in London not to far from TOBS... Are there any good resources for looking up straight razor coffin branding?
I'm sure it will be a great shaver, I've heard nothing but good things about George Wotenholm razors. I've sent it out to get honed and cleaned.
The way I read their history is only the "Washington Works" razors were made after 1922 so that might help...
I knew they moved from the "Rockingham Works " to the "Washington Works", but I thought that was much earlier, in 1848. Or are you suggesting all razors made after 1922 have "Washington Works" stamped into them?
Not exactly I have learned over the years that trying to get absolutes with this SR hobby is pretty hard, so basically you just keep adding together clues and try and come as close as possible.. One clue I can see in the pic is the double hollow grind, the tail is also a clue but I can't see that, also the Black Bakelite scales if that is what they are.. Unless you can actually find that razor in one of the old print advertisements with a date it is always just a best guess
Well the razor is on it's way to you for honing and a clean up, so you'll get a close up soon enough!