My Custom Straight Idea

[St0ne]

Although I'm not British I do have a heritage from there and I'm a fan of Trafalgar\Nelson memorabilia. T&H's Trafalgar is my favourite cream and 1805 is pretty darn good too. I know there are Nelson and HMS Victory shaving mugs available on the Bay often. So it seems that you can have something Nelson related in almost all parts or your daily shave except for the razor. Sort of thieving Nelson's own razor (http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/06/20/medical-museum.html) from the museum it is housed in (and I don't think it's shave ready) all I can think of is making a custom straight.

I have found that Oak from HMS Victory is available for purchase and I am wondering to myself if some of it would be of suitable quality for making custom scales with. A nice idea I think but while I would love to do it I don't really think it would be worth it unless the finished product could be authenticated, but that may be a possibility. Of course just the scales would not be enough maybe some special engraving on the blade too. And since Trafalgar has been taken by my T&H I must call it Victory. What do you think?

Links for Victory Oak and other bits.
http://www.nelsonsvictory.com/mat.htm
http://www.nauticalia.com/uk-info/hms_victory_lord_nelson_and_trafalgar/oak_and_copper_salvaged_from_hms_victory/victory_oak_pieces/vt010.html

[thirdeye]

I think this is an awesome idea. I would love to see how it turns out.
This oak would be fine for a set of scales although I'm thinking it will be a little expencive.
Good luck!!!

[FloppyShoes]

You would have to get some kind of certificate of authenticity to go with it, 'cause otherwise they would just look like plain oak scales.

[Thebigspendur]

The problem is even if you got a piece of oak with a letter of authentication unless the oak was sealed it would be worthless unless the oak was photographed and had some stamp or seal on it. As soon as you altered it, it would not be valued anymore. Its like if you buy a coin and it comes sealed. As soon as you remove its seal the authentication is invalid.

Of course if you don't care about that and just want to do it it sounds great.

[Doc4]

Kiss me, Hardy, that's a good idea.

The quality of the wood is probably a question best answered by whomever you would intend to have do the custom scales. (Ultimately, it may be a question of actually getting the oak into his hands to see "if" it's worth it, but I'm not the guy to ask that.)

On the issue of authentication, do you need a certificate once it's all done, or woud you be happy enough to know that you are shaving with Victory Oak even if you can't prove it to your buddies (or prospective purchasers)?

[St0ne]

Some interesting points there, I know at least one site sells the oak with a Victory brass plate and a certificate. I'm heading off to Asia next month for 6 months so it won't be anymore than an idea until after I get back.

[netsurfr]

What a cool idea!

[Unit 91]

From the link you provided:


All materials will carry certificates of authenticity, and Victory Ltd will make available finished goods certificates for products made from the materials.