Named after the prehistoric giants, the Mammoth Razor is a masterfully restored vintage blade, Alaskan Woolly Mammoth ivory sheath, sterling silver hardware, and a quartz Stanhope lens containing vintage micro-photography.
THE BLADE
Regarding the exacting craft of years past, only vintage steel blades are used to produce the Mammoth Razor. Each blade is carefully chosen for its condition, quality, and manufacturer's reputation. Each edge is then restored and made shave-ready with exacting precision.
THE MAMMOTH SHEATH
The blade sheath of "scales" is hand-carved out of woolly mammoth ivory to suit its corresponding blade. The scales are secured with Australian sterling silver pins for strength and luxurious touch.
CUSTOMIZATION
Each razor can be personalized with a custom image in the Stanhope lens and the addition of Scrimshaw engravings on the sheath.
THE STANHOPE LENS
Hidden within the stabilizing "plug" of the Mammoth Razor lies the historically rich Stanhope lens. Designed by the third Earl of Stanhope in the 1700s, each quartz Stanhope is a biconvex lens measuring 2-3 millimeters in diameter with a 160x magnifying power. Initially a field microscope for naturalists, its applications were broadened in the 1860s by the Parisian inventor of the micro-photograph, Rene Dagron. Thanks to Dragon, the Stanhope became a personal window to the infinite imagery that could be captured with photography. Its uses subsequently ranged from a way to smuggle essential documents during wartime to a means of "safekeeping" personal erotic photos.
The 1970s saw the end of the Stanhope production with its last production facility in Czechoslovakia. However, in 1993, renowned violinmaker Michael Sheibley of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was introduced to an antique "picture bow" containing a Stanhope. Awed by its clarity and uniqueness, he immediately decided to revive the tradition. Today, even collectors find it difficult to discern Sheibley's perfectly crafted Stanhope lenses from the originals.
Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons continue this meticulous tradition by gracing the Mammoth Razor with Mr. Sheibley's highly collectible Stanhopes. Like Dagron offered over 100 years ago, Stanhopes may be customized with any fitting image or object.
PACKAGING
The Mammoth Razor comes in a handsome laser engraved salvaged solid-wood case and black linen drawstring sleeve. Included is a quarter ounce of Renaissance Wax, to be applied when the mammoth needs a protective coating and a polished shine.