Thread: Odd wade

According to Robert A. Doyle, in "Collecting Straight Razors." they began acid etching around the 1830s-1840s, and they were like a kid with a new toy. Big blades with all sorts of etchings to stimulate sales. Masonic, patriotic. A lot of American inspired etches, since they were shooting for that big USA export market. Presidents, famous people, battles ...... whatever worked.

I've said before I think the reason For Barbers Only is a lot less common than For Barbers Use, is because doing the former, they realized "Only" might hurt sales rather than help, so they changed and went with "Use." That assumes that For Barbers Only is the older marque ........ not sure, just IMHO .......

You can't see it through the patina in the photo, though it is there, but the bottom razor is the one with "The Celebrated Hollow Ground For Barbers Use" etched in the belly of the blade, like the one in the auction. I notice it doesn't have the W-arrow-B on the tang either, but it was etched on the belly. The other FBU and FBO don't have that at all.