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This truly magnificent straight razor was part of the Ragg family private collection and still has the archivist's 1825 label attached — it was razor number 44 in the collection. John & William Ragg had become established as razor, scissor and knife makers by the early 1830s, but they actually began razor making in the early 1820s. They operated from premises in Johnson Street, Sheffield. It was not until 1839 that they began using their famous Napoleon trademark.

This was one of the very first razors made by John Ragg and historically it is of interest as it confirms something noted by razor authority Henry T. Lummus who wrote in his defining article for Antiques Magazine in December 1922:

"In 1820 the great scientist Michael Faraday discovered a way to add about one-fifth of one percent of silver to cast steel, which, he thought, improved its quality... many blades of the 1820 – 1833 period had mottoes on them like 'Old English'."

The Faraday steel was known as Silver Steel and was a sure sign of top-quality steel in the 1820s.

This razor has both of the Lummus attributes. 'Old English' is stamped on the shoulder with "Silver Steel' and the George IV royal cypher stamped on the shank. The blade is typical of the period with its short, hammered-thin tang and thick shank with no thumb rest. Unusually for this period it has jimps to the top and underside of the shank. The scales are made of a translucent brown animal product and is pinned with large roseate brass pins and a tin wedge. The razor has never been used and the steel is extremely bright with only the very lightest of surface blemishes that in no way detract from its beauty.

At 191 years of age this razor should rightly be on display in a museum.