I picked this old Wostenholm & Son IXL frameback off ebay. The blade looked to be in decent shape, but the original black horn scales were cracked/split on the wedge end. The pivot end was loose. Time for a re-scale... I have blanks of black horn but decided to use a different color. The original scales were thicker than most I've come across. The old scales with beveled edges were a hair over .120" in overall thickness whereas a typical thickness is closer to .090 to .110" for many of these older Sheffields. I decided upon a honey-hued clear horn for the scales and a contrasting wedge of macassar ebony. I made the new scales of comparable thickness (.120"), still maintaining 'good flex' and a 'soft' bevel on the scale edges. All hardware is made of brass (pins, outer and inner bearing washers). All polished and ready to be honed…
very nice. your love for them shines through your work. what does the IXL from wosty mean. I recently won one, and was wondering.
"IXL' = "I Excel!" sort of a statement of implied quality. As I understand it, 'I•X•L' was a recognized trademark awarded to Wostenholm early on and carried on by his sons.
The arc of the scales matches the blade perfectly and I love that the opacity shows it off even when closed. Haven't had time to rescale a recent wosty so I just got it in working order as I couldn't wait to hone and shave with it. I now know I'm going to have to get some honey horn in. Love it.
Framebacks are unique. The 'feel' of them is different from your standard hollow-ground straight razor. Not better, nor worse....simply different.
