Sheffield Razors info please

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17
I recently acquired this pair of razors.

I know some of the history of the George Butler company. According to the history these razors were made between 1861 and 1882, because they used the "ART" mark. Geo Butler is known in our circles for their Keen razors, but I have never seen this type of razor, and I can't find similar razors on the internet.

So here is where I need some advice:

Any more information about them? Anyone have similar razors?


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Nice pair of razors, I bet they would hone up a treat.

The company relied upon the "BUTLER" mark, which by the 1840s was commonly counterfeited.
Butler's acquired the "ART" mark in 1861; and then in about 1882 the Key mark (registered in 1681) from Steer & Webster. Butler's also registered silver marks in 1872 and 1894. The trademark “Special Cavendish Brand” (granted 1885) was used on Butler's silver-plated cutlery.
In 1870, Robert Belfitt (1842-1930) became the chairman. He had been born at Whittington, in Derbyshire, and had been apprenticed to an iron founder. H.G. Rowe had left the company in about 1870. William Henry Andrew died on 9 October 1894, aged 74. His brother, Albert George Andrew, died on 16 February 1908, aged 87.
Belfitt remained in post for sixty years. He was Master Cutler in 1891. He maintained Butler's reputation for its hand-forged, hand-ground pocket and table cutlery both at home and in its major overseas markets in Australia and India.
 
Nice pair of razors, I bet they would hone up a treat.

Thank you, yes I think they are something special.

I had some time on Friday and removed the scales from one of them, I was worried about some serious rust around the pin. Cleaned it up as far as I am prepared to go. I don't want to polish out the etchings because I think it's important to keep it's history visible.

It still has some pitting, but I am happy with it. These are not new razors and I don't mind that they show some of their age, they are about 150 years old after all.

I will give the other one the same treatment when I have some time again.

I honed it yesterday, effortlessly.

I think it's a testament to the makers skill that setting the bevel took about 100 light pressure circles each side and about 20 rolling X-strokes on a 3k stone. Blade geometry is perfect.

Did my normal progression to 8K, 12K, 1u lapping film, then on to the pasted balsa .5u, .25u and .1u. Stropped 100 laps on clean leather hanging strop.

Shaved with it yesterday to test the edge and I can say it truly shaves like a dream. Very sharp, but smooth and comfortable. These razors are a pleasure to hone, strop and shave with.

Couldn't resist and shaved with it again today. Love it!

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