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Spalted Katalox - Merkur 34C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:33 MDT

Spalted Katalox - Merkur 34C - 1006_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 34C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Spalted Katalox, which is native to Central and Latin America. Katalox is an extremely heavy and dense hardwood with a dark purple and brown heartwood and a golden sapwood. Katalox is one of the little known "Cadillacs" of wood. It has a rich luxurious look as well as a very solid feel. The density of Katalox produces a full, clear tone, making it a popular component in musical instruments. The Martin D Muninga guitar, of which only 17 were made, has a Katalox fretboard and bridge.

Honduran Rosewood Burl - Merkur 34C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:28 MDT

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Honduran Rosewood Burl - Merkur 34C - 1007_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 34C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Honduran Rosewood Burl which is found in Belize (British Honduras) and in river areas throughout Central America. The heartwood varies from brown to deep purple varying from light to dark in color. The sapwood is a contrasting light or cream blonde color. Since Honduran Rosewood turns well, it is used often for knife handles and piano legs. Other uses include percussion bars of xylophones, and fingerboards for banjoes, guitars and mandolins. It is also used in fine furniture and cabinets, with highly figured logs sliced for decorative veneers and inlay work.

Bloodwood - Merkur 38C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:23 MDT

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Bloodwood - Merkur 38C - 1011_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Bloodwood which is found in the Amazon Basin and a wide range of tropical South American areas. The sapwood of bloodwood is clearly demarcated and yellowish in color. The heartwood varies in color from red with a golden luster, to a deep, rich reddish-brown. It is fine textured and enhanced by a satiny appearance. Bloodwood’s vivid red color makes it popular for decorative veneers used in small quantities for marquetry, inlay and for banding in high-end furniture and cabinetry.

Amboyna Burl - Merkur 38C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:17 MDT

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Amboyna Burl - Merkur 38C - 1012_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Amboyna burl which is found in Indonesia, especially on the Andaman group of islands. Amboyna burl is one of the rarest & most expensive woods in the world. The burly part of the log is often very small, yielding only wood in small dimensions. The color ranges from deep yellow orange to deep red and after finishing Amboyna burl reveals a depth & liveliness in color like found in no other. Amboyna burl was a popular, frequently used wood in the Jugendstil epoch in the twenties. It was also the first burl wood to be used by Rolls Royce for dashboards.

Ambrosia Maple - Merkur 38C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:13 MDT

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Ambrosia Maple - Merkur 38C - 1015_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Ambrosia Maple which is found in the Northwestern United States. Ambrosia Maple is wormy soft maple. The wood has beautiful brown and grey stripes and small worm holes. The detailed designs in the wood are highly sought after by many and are caused by the ambrosia beetle; thus the trade name Ambrosia Maple. The Ambrosia Beetle causes pinholes 1/100 - 1/4" in diameter and attacks only recently killed/cut trees, logs, and green lumber. Only a very small percentage of maple trees have this beetle present, making it a rare find.

Imperial Jade - Merkur 38C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:08 MDT

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Imperial Jade - Merkur 38C - 1075_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Imperial Jade. Jade (pronounced "Yu" in Chinese - meaning "the most beautiful stone") has been considered a royal gem in China from the earliest dynasties up until present times, and is inextricably woven into ancient and modern Chinese culture. The use of Jade in China dates back some 8,000 to 12,000 years, and was an integral part of commercial, religious and ceremonial life. In ancient China, Jade was held in higher esteem than materials such as gold or silver. There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says: "Gold is estimable, but jade is priceless."

Gold Laced Quartz - Merkur 38C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:25:04 MDT

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Gold Laced Quartz - Merkur 38C - 1076_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Gold Laced Quartz, which may be found in mountainous areas throughout the United States, such as Dahlonega, Georgia, which was home to a significant gold rush period in American History. Dahlonega was a rough patch of ground in northern Georgia back in the early 1800's and was also home to the Cherokees. Settlers found their way there and the discovery of Gold brought in waves of panners and miners, leading to the founding of the town of Dahlonega and later the Dahlonega Mint. The town of Dahlonega prospered for a short period but was soon overshadowed by the newer discovery of Gold in California which pulled away many of its miner inhabitants. The Federal mint in Dahlonega continued to operate up until the Civil War but never reopened afterwards.

Kingman Turquoise - Merkur 38C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:24:59 MDT

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Kingman Turquoise - Merkur 38C - 1077_500x500.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Kingman Turquoise, which is the one of the official birth stones for the month of December as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. The name turquoise is apparently related to the fact that it was brought to Europe from the Eastern Mediterranean by Levantine traders, more commonly known as Turks. It has been used as a valuable ornament for ages and was used by the Egyptians thousands of years ago. For centuries, the most valuable turquoise came from Iran (Persia) but today some specimens mined in the southwestern United States, specifically turquoise from the famous Kingman mines, compete with it. The Aztecs mined turquoise in an area now known as New Mexico and a significant amount of turquoise comes from Arizona, California and Nevada. Turquoise attracts money, success and love. Its powers include protection, healing, courage, friendship, and luck. It relaxes the mind, and eases mental tension. Turquoise is sacred to many Native American's and was carved in the shape of animals and birds. These carvings were placed in the Indians tombs to attract beneficial spirits and to guard the dead. Turquoise was also used by medicine men for healing and by warriors who fixed turquoise to the end of their bows to insure accurate shots.

Black "Coke" 34C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:22:18 MDT

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Black "Coke" 34C - 1001_500x500.jpg

This 34C Merkur razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from a poured Neo-Resinate™. The use of resins has dramatically expanded the range of colors and stylings that are available. The Neo-Resinate™ is poured into molds with either contrasting or complimentary colors and cured in a pressure pot to create the block of turning material. The silver rings present in the handle are pieces of a “Coke” can that had been cut and inserted between the segments of the handle prior to turning.

Corian 34C

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:22:14 MDT

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Corian 34C - 1080_500x500.jpg

This 34C Merkur razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Corian®, a synthetic material created by DuPont. Although it's primary use is for kitchen worktops and bathroom vanity tops, its durability and waterproof characteristics make it ideal for use as a razor handle.

Bloodwood Set

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:20:28 MDT

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Bloodwood Set - 5009_700x700.jpg

This matched set features a handcrafted razor handle, brush handle and stand post by Robert Quinn. All three pieces are from the same block of Bloodwood which is found in the Amazon Basin and a wide range of tropical South American areas. The sapwood of bloodwood is clearly demarcated and yellowish in color. The heartwood varies in color from red with a golden luster, to a deep, rich reddish-brown. It is fine textured and enhanced by a satiny appearance. Bloodwood’s vivid red color makes it popular for decorative veneers used in small quantities for marquetry, inlay and for banding in high-end furniture and cabinetry.

Bolivian Rosewood Set

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:20:20 MDT

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Bolivian Rosewood Set - 5010_700x700.jpg

This matched set features a handcrafted razor handle, brush handle and stand post by Robert Quinn. All three pieces are from the same block of Bolivian Rosewood which is found throughout Brazil and Bolivia. Bolivian Rosewood is an exotic and imported hardwood that is strikingly beautiful. The wood has color variations from chocolate or violet-brown to violet streaked with black, often streaked with golden-brown. The grain is straight, sometimes wavy. Bolivian Rosewood can be used anywhere the rich look of rosewood is desired. Furniture - cabinet making - joinery - instrument making - tool and knife handles and veneers.

Gold laced Quartz Set

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:14:55 MDT

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Gold laced Quartz Set - Quartz-set.jpg

Gold laced Red Jasper

auctiondesigntools — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:14:49 MDT

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Gold laced Red Jasper - red_jasper_38C.jpg

This Merkur 38C razor features a handcrafted handle by Robert Quinn from Red Jasper, which is associated with the Zodiac sign of Taurus. Red Jasper was a much sought after gem in the very ancient times and today it is used for aesthetic as well as industrial purposes. It belongs to the family of quartz. The name is Greek in origin, meaning “spotted ot speckled stone”. The color of Jasper ranges from red to shades of brown due to the presence of ferric oxide. But with the combination of other minerals it gets a colorful, banded appearance. In mythology, Jasper is said to have powers to keep evil and fatal insect or reptile bites at bay.