This is a bullnosed, half-hollow-ground, 4/8-width W.H. Morley "Shamrock" straight razor with original box made in Germany in the early-mid 1900s. The blade is in nice shape, mirror-polished with die-stamped tang markings and some barely visible minor specks from tarnish. It's an imported model designed for American seller W.H. Morley, with a shamrock seller's mark and a beautifully scuplted set of cornstalk scales reflecting the character of America's Midwest. It's slender and light but strongly made; it's had a few honings but the spine has plenty of breadth and the half-hollow-grind gives it a strong blade. The pivot is firm and the scales are sound, without cracks, chips or deep scratches, and the blade closes in the center without bite.

The edge has been carefully honed on two grades of DMT diamond hone, two finer grades on a Norton water hone, lapped on balsa blocks with two grades of fine diamond grit and polishing-grade chrome oxide, then finished off with 60 strops on latigo leather. The result is the only standard I accept: an edge that will cut a hanging hair at multiple points, to deliver the smoothest, closest possible shave. I'm a shaver, not a collector, and I hope the people who buy them will use them. Nevertheless, I taped the spine while sharpening this blade, as I do with nearly all my blades, to keep from adding honing wear. This blade has very little honing wear and is very close to the original width; it has probably spent most of its existence in storage.

With daily use and proper stropping and this razor shouldn't need to be any time honed soon. After sharpness-testing it's has been rubbed down with a silicone-impregnated cloth to give it a glossy moisture barrier.

Because I'm a serious shaver, I've also learned to make my own shaving soaps and creams so I can treat myself fancier for less money. With this razor you'll get a free four-ounce cup of my luxury soap made from soy and palm kernel, enriched with extra glycerin and special ingredients for a long-lasting, moisturizing lather. This is home-made soap which I sell for $6 plus shipping per cake.

My other listings usually include more great shavers, and some excellent 3-inch-wide deluxe razor strops. If you buy any free-shipping item, I won't charge shipping on any combined purchases. I also offer a razor-sharpening and -polishing service starting at $20, with all returned razors including a sample of my shaving cream.

Shipping is free worldwide, including APO's.