Vauzy

[efsk]

Recently acquired French steel.

In 1751 a Louis Vauzy founded a cutleryfirm in Thiers, France. As most if not all cutlerers they also made razors. The firm stayed in the family for a long time, the logo and brandname as shown on this razor was deposited or renewed june 4, 1875 and granted to a Louis Vauzy. I suspect this to be a descendant, otherwise old Louis was rather old.

Sometime hereafter, Vauzy was acquired by Rousselon, later by Pral and they ended in possession of Vincent, itself a cutlerer founded in 1858 and maker of razors under literaly dozens of brandnames. I don't know when Vincent ceased to exist, but they were one of the great French razormakers.

It's a near wedge, over 7/8 at its widest point, with horn scales and a bone wedge. Judging from the state of the scales I doubt they've been on this razor for the full 130-140 years that I estimate it is old, but the pinning suggests that they're not thát new either.
I honed the razor this afternoon, and it will get a taste of my whiskers tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it.

 

[pjgh]

Neat!

 

[smithismund]

Love old French razors. Most of mine are framebacks, but once they are properly honed, they shave very nicely. That is a handsome old blade. Let us know how the shave went.

 

[efsk]

Have some old French framebacks as well, of which I've used one: a Le Grelot "Coupe Celeste". Marvelous blade, terrific shave. Now that I've learned how to hone framebacks the other few will follow. Shaved with a LeCoultre frameback with exchangeable blades as well, but that's Swiss
French steel however is terrific. Had my first straight shave with a Rameau, and my favorite straight is a Kabrand 486.

 

[Sezer1974]

Have some old French framebacks as well, of which I've used one: a Le Grelot "Coupe Celeste". Marvelous blade, terrific shave. Now that I've learned how to hone framebacks the other few will follow. Shaved with a LeCoultre frameback with exchangeable blades as well, but that's Swiss
French steel however is terrific. Had my first straight shave with a Rameau, and my favorite straight is a Kabrand 486.

How do you hone framebacks? I have two and Jamie honed them for me and he done a great job, however I am using them and in near future they will need honing, so any tips and suggestions appreciated

 

[UKRob]

Honing a frameback is no different to any other razor with a smiling blade - rolling strokes are required so that all of the bevel is honed. If you just use a non rolling stroke you will eventally hone a flat into the blade.

 

[efsk]

What also helps is either a narrow hone or just using a narrow part of your hone.

 

[Sezer1974]

I understand, thanks a lot @UKRob and @efsk
cheers

 

[efsk]

This razor shaves great. Despite the fact that it's heavier than most of my other razors it handles perfectly well and grazes beard in near-silence. Very happy.

 

[Dan Talboy]

Recently acquired French steel.

In 1751 a Louis Vauzy founded a cutleryfirm in Thiers, France. As most if not all cutlerers they also made razors. The firm stayed in the family for a long time, the logo and brandname as shown on this razor was deposited or renewed june 4, 1875 and granted to a Louis Vauzy. I suspect this to be a descendant, otherwise old Louis was rather old.

Sometime hereafter, Vauzy was acquired by Rousselon, later by Pral and they ended in possession of Vincent, itself a cutlerer founded in 1858 and maker of razors under literaly dozens of brandnames. I don't know when Vincent ceased to exist, but they were one of the great French razormakers.

It's a near wedge, over 7/8 at its widest point, with horn scales and a bone wedge. Judging from the state of the scales I doubt they've been on this razor for the full 130-140 years that I estimate it is old, but the pinning suggests that they're not thát new either.
I honed the razor this afternoon, and it will get a taste of my whiskers tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it.

Nice no nonsense razor

 

[UKRob]

What also helps is either a narrow hone or just using a narrow part of your hone.

I also used to think this - but someone proved me wrong. You can take a normal sized hone and draw a pencil line along the length denoting that part of the hone that you want to use. Then use a rolling stroke - restricting yourself to the marked area - you will see that the rest of the hone does not interfere at all.

 

[efsk]

@UKRob: that was what I meant with the second part of my sentence: use a narrow part of your hone. You described the pencil-line-method before on this forum, that's where I learnt this. In case I didn't thank you then: thanks! Made my life a lot easier

 

[mbnu54]

A bit like this methinks!
http://straightrazorplace.com/srpwiki/index.php/Rolling_X_stroke