Joh Engstrom 1874 swayback Ran-tan-Ka-rus Red Devil in Red Narra

cannonfodder · 07-21-2008, 02:36 AM

I picked this razor up on ebay some time ago. It was ugly, completely black. I almost passed but figured what the heck, I don’t have any Swedish steel so I got cheep. It has been sitting in my project box for months. I was rooting around working on a few of my own blades when I pulled this nasty blade out. I decided to see what I had to work with so I took it to the garage to buff off some of the black nasty crud. I put my chromium oxide wheel on the buffer and went to work. A few moments later I looked at the blade and thought to myself ‘I’ll be, that is cleaning up’. So I scraped down the wheel to remove the crud, pasted the wheel and went back at it. then I thought ‘hay, this is cleaning up real nice’. So I scraped down the wheel again to clean off the crud, pasted and went to town one last time on the CO. A half hour later I went to some white rogue and then mass on the big wheel. WOW! I think the black was lacquered oil put on the blade to protect it, under that crud was a perfect blade that has not seen a hone more than twice, if that. It quite literally looks new, no sanding required.

It is a Joh.Engstrom but the tang is stamped 1874, could this really be a 134 year old blade, or is that just a model number? That old I would expect a wedge, they were not making hollow ground blades back then so it could not be. Then I looked at the blade a little closer, it is not hollow ground but quarter or half hollow, so it could be. Anyone have any information on this blade?

At any rate, I decided to put it in some figured bees-wing red Narra, I am really liking this wood. The swayback almost matches the curvature of the scales. I was quite surprised and pleased with how this guy turned out. I still need to hone it and am looking forward to giving it a shave test. It will defiantly be a keeper and go in the display case.

Sancho · 07-21-2008, 03:03 AM

Got to love that!

holli4pirating · 07-21-2008, 03:14 AM

That razor looks amazing. Gotta love a good steal on some good steel.

Aurora Borealis · 07-21-2008, 03:21 AM

JOHN ENGSTROM ESKILSTUNA
ca. 1874-1918

Aurora Borealis · 07-21-2008, 03:24 AM

JOHN ENGSTROM, JR.
Little Valley, New York
ca. 1920-1921

Aurora Borealis · 07-21-2008, 03:27 AM

They were both razor manufacturers ......but that's all I know. Nice blade.

The Blacksmith · 07-24-2008, 01:59 AM

Man, excellent job on that! I love those swaybacks and how the natural smile on the edge feels on the face. Simply awesome!

iron maiden · 07-24-2008, 08:17 AM

Beautiful razor Dave. I just love those swaybacks. I've been enjoying my W. Greaves swayback I got restored from Philadelph.

netsurfr · 07-24-2008, 09:38 PM

Nice blade and scales! Thanks for sharing!!!

AntiqueHoosier · 07-25-2008, 05:10 PM

One of the best looking rehabs I have ever seen...Love that razor Sir!

cannonfodder · 07-28-2008, 12:01 AM

I still need to hone it. I am on the go for the next two weeks for work but I am looking forward to putting it to stone and giving it a try. Wish they all worked out like that. That is problem with eBay. You get a winner now and then but often you get a stinker.