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Comment by Jan Carter on May 15, 2017 at 20:52

Not many can say that and I suspect even fewer would have the appreciation of it.  I for one, am pleased that you ended up with these.  I dare to say more than a few of them went to strictly collectors and although that would probably make the artist that created them smile, he is beaming every time you use one!

Comment by John Bamford on May 13, 2017 at 11:40

I think Jan that the appeal of these old razors is in the feel on the face . I can't , unlike some ,say that a straight razor gives the best shave in the world . Maybe if you are really expert that could be true and even for the likes of me these razors give as good a shave as you could ever expect . For the best and easiest shave though the old double edge razor designed by Mr Gillette gives a great shave and is easy to use against the grain of the bristles for the very best shave possible . All these multi blade things are just an excuse to take more money out of peoples pockets, the problem of shaving was solved by Gillette when he designed the disposable blade in 1901 or thereabouts .

I get some stuff on the PC about a custom straight razor maker in Italy called Mastro Livi . People rave about the comfort and efficiency of his blades but alas if you need to ask the price of his products then you can't really afford them , as they say . Mastro Livi credits his ability to being taught by his father and the practice that he has put in over 60 years .

I guess the similar thing is the case for the old Sheffield razors that I bought last year , they were made by an unknown master who was likely taught by either his father or apprenticed to a master . Whatever the case there is a certain something inherent in the making of these . I remember clearly my impression when I first used one at first I couldn't believe they were taking the whiskers off as there was so little sensation . Every time I use one of these I think maybe it won't still feel as good , I only use them at weekends for fear of damaging the 150 year old Ivory handle scales. However each time the same feeling is there , I am just glad that I used more "ordinary" razors for nearly a year first or I wouldn't have appreciated these properly .

There is also the hard to put your finger on feeling that you are the first to use these around 150 years after they were made , and maybe a hundred years or more after the man who made them died .

So today I shaved with a razor made in around 1850 and had a great shave , how many people can say that !!

Comment by Jan Carter on May 12, 2017 at 18:38

John,

I find it very interesting that with all you have tried, new, old and everything in between.  What has captivated your interest and use is the hand forged and I believe the oldest you have?

Comment by John Bamford on May 12, 2017 at 8:28

It is one of those jobs that has got parked in the shed Jan , I have a few waiting to be finished . These scales were due to be used on a Sheffield wedge razor that i bought for next to nothing because there was a degree of wear and the scales were shot . When I made these scales they looked rather better than the blade , which isn't all that good and I decided to wait for something better to use them on . Also I was just starting to use the old Sheffield razors that I bought from Malcolm they are so good that this project just got abandoned .

Comment by Jan Carter on May 11, 2017 at 18:24

It is a stunning piece of maple and it is shaping up just fine.  what are you attaching them too?

 

In Memoriam Comment by D ale on May 11, 2017 at 17:58

!!! .. Nice job , John .. !!!

Comment by Michael D. Mitchell on May 11, 2017 at 14:09

John, Very Nice Indeed These are the Pair of Razorz, i was Asking about. Had i come to thiz Page First....Duuuh.

Michael.

"Ya Neva Kno".

Comment by John Bamford on September 7, 2016 at 8:42

Thanks for the advice Paul , it was to tricky trying to whittle these I ended up using a "mouse" palm sander .

I have them fixed in position now to see if they will become stronger when the varnish dries , I soaked them overnight .

KnifeMaker Comment by Paul S on September 7, 2016 at 4:02

 Looks good John and difficult to do do well.

  Carving figured maple is difficult because the grain direction changes and easily tears out.  Using a rotary power carving helps because you can use sandpaper in a series of smaller grits to polish wood to a high luster.  Care must be taken to get an even sheen over the complete surface without burning wood. You can use aniline dyes to change the color-made from coal -and have no suspended solid particles.  After that the wood can be vacuum impregnated -use a vacuum pump-to pull epoxy or some other material through the wood. Some knife makers do these processes for their wood scales for a durable and beautiful finish.  

   Here in Maine (USA)  curley maple is popular along with bird's eye maple for artwork and furniture making.    

In Memoriam Comment by D ale on September 6, 2016 at 17:18

Very nice grain in the result .. 'tis pretty !!