Thread: John Barber, early 1800?

Hey Guys,
found this John Barber in one of the antique malls today and picked it up for $20.
It looks like it has a masonic square and compass stamped into the tang under the name John Barber.
There are no other marks on the blade.
Does anyone know anything about John Barber blades?
I'm guessing that it's probably from the early 1800's, Sheffield.

thanks,
John

I believe John Barber made razors 1820-1834

John Barber razors have been discussed here on SRP from time to time. You may be able to find some older posts relating to your razor. If Manah or Neil Miller don't post to this thread drop them a PM. There are a few other members that do some great research on razors but these two come to mind first. Oh, nice razor!

John Barber was apprenticed in 1802 and gained the Freedom of the Guild of Cutlers in 1823. Being granted Freedom practically means he had served his apprenticeship and practised as a journeyman cutler for a period, before establishing his own mark (the compass and square). However, his company was making cutlery and flatware in the 1820s and strops and razors by the time he acquired his freedom, so there must be some sort of reason why there is such a large gap between apprenticeship and freedom being granted. In 1823 the company was at 29 South Street, Sheffield, before moving to Norfolk Street in 1828. After his death in 1834 the company continued as John Barber & Son. In 1839 they were also advertising themselves as successors to George Shepherd and were using the well-known Shepherd 'Wolf' mark - which was used by a variety of makers and has already confused many on this forum as to the true identity of the razor maker. Marks were 'fluid' things and often changed hands, it seems.

The company died in stages. The 'Old English' line of razors was sold off to Stephen Martin in 1847. In 1864 another John Barber - the grandson of the original John Barber - set up in the razor and cutlery business at the Portland Works in West Street, and used the old marks. The company did not survive after 1871 and never re-emerged again. But their marks did - they were used by Hall & Colley and Joseph Elliot.

Regards,
Neil

That's a real beauty! and for $20 a great catch too! well done!

What you've got there is what we call a "stub tail" and there is a section in the 'razor clubs' sub forum, "the stub tailed shavers", where you can see many of them. Probably some John Barbers in there too IIRC. Once honed up you'll have a nice shaver with some real history behind it. If it could talk, what stories it could tell.

For 20$ you should feel real proud, those things take a great edge and are fantastic shavers!

These are among the very best shaving razors from that period. Are you making one of your super duper fancy scales for it? The blade looks very nice and appropriate with that horn, so if I were you I'd just hone it up an use it, but there are some very high end models and I'm very fortunate to own one.

Congrats John! Based on the shape, I'd guess it's one of his earlier blades.
A real beauty, and a real piece of history.