Chemical Composition: XRF data from Tracer
Alloy: Bronze
Alloying Elements: copper, tin
Other Elements: lead, iron, nickel, silver, antimony, arsenic
K. Eremin, January 2014
Technical Observations: The razor has several contradictory technical features. First, it appears to have been cast and hammered to a fine edge. At the same time, the fine dendritic structure that is visible on much of the surface would exclude hammering, since this microstructure is usually destroyed in the process of cold working (e.g., hammering) and replaced with a granular structure. The thicker “inner rim” would have been created by hammering the edge straight on. To score such long, continuous, concentric striations on the rim would be easier in the wax; to make them in the metal would have necessitated a special caliper-like set-up, perhaps even equipped with a toothed tool. The rays that spread out from these curved lines in some cases clearly overlap them, evidence that the former would have preceded them.
The hole in the blade was probably part of the original design and made before it was cast in metal. The blade is in good condition with only a few nicks. There are some hammer and chisel marks at the base of the handle. The patina is light brown with green corrosion products and some shiny metal showing through. There is no deep corrosion except for on a broken corner near the tang. The surface retains a polished finish. The edge is uneven as a result of corrosion. A small paper label with blue patterned scalloped edge is glued on one side.
Francesca G. Bewer (submitted 2011)