Joseph Allen, the razor's namesake was born into the world in 1829, the son of a sickle maker.  Starting in 1851 Joseph Allen had relocated to Sheffield, England working as a razor smith. Employing 10 men in the 1880's working as Oak Works Joseph Allen acquired the "Non XLL" trademark that this razors bears on its tang.

Arriving in the workshop broken, a large crack running from the cutting edge toward the spine required the razor to be shorted by nearly an inch.  The barbers notch was lost as originally ground and replaced by a French point. The razor was brought to a high polish preserving some of the patina accrued with use and time.

The blade's cutting edge measures 1 and 3/4 inches in length with a width of 11/16 inches.  Razors of this size, called shorties are excellent for those who keep well groomed facial hair.  The shorter length allows one to easily lineup one's beard at the cheeks and neck.  Blades of this size are also useful for grooming goatees. 

Scales were handcrafted from olive drab green, canvas Micarta and sealed from water.  The wedge is stabilized and dyed blue burl also sealed and made impervious to water.  Brass pins were used to pin this razor.

The razor will arrived expertly honed, shave ready and sterile.  Simply lather up and start shaving.

Happy shaving!