Thread: Anyone else been watching this J Rodgers.

Originally Posted by gugi

I've seen my share of points and rodgers razors, but this one looks like a regular round point that was badly mangled.

I didn't pick up on that at first glance, but I think you might be right. First I was bummed 'cause it ain't mine, now I'm glad. The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I didn't pick up on that at first glance, but I think you might be right. First I was bummed 'cause it ain't mine, now I'm glad. The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.

Given the unusual tang and tail profile I think it's fair to assume the exotic point it is original, and given that there are other examples (with the one in OP being a razor from a slightly different time period / batch to boot) with similar styling, I think it's reasonable to assume it's original. Just take a look at Goldragon's new Elliot collection for a view on what kind of odd points were out there, albeit rare.

I suppose it's a matter of interpretation. One person looks and sees a masterpiece, another looks and sees hideous details that don't fit neither the aesthetics, not the level of workmanship on the rest of the razor and the brand in general.

The other pair looks just as odd - a circular cut out from the top corner of a regular square point:



It almost seems to me that those are blanks for apprentice grinders to practice and learn and not meant to ever leave the factory floor.

As opposed to points like the one below:



which requires a skill, not just a spinning wheel.


In other words I am of the persuasion that there is a rather significant difference between a 5-year old doodling, cutting construction paper, and shaking a paintbrush and the works of Picasso, Matisse, and Pollock:

It was never guaranteed that this razor is for shaving. Don't forget that people at that time where using feathers to write. This one, like one below most like were used to fix their "writing equipment"

Originally Posted by gugi

I suppose it's a matter of interpretation....

In other words I am of the persuasion that there is a rather significant difference between a 5-year old doodling, cutting construction paper, and shaking a paintbrush and the works of Picasso, Matisse, and Pollock:

It most certainly is!

Value aside, no Pollock would ever enter my home.
Talk about shaking paint on cardboard...

I actually like the Rodgers with that circular cut-off.
It has a certain flow over it, and would, contrary to that hideous Pollock, absolutely be welcome here!

As an example of how idiotic the art-world can get at times, a little story from the "fall-exibition" here in Norway.
That is the most prestigious we have.

One year the jury awarded a price to one of the radiators on the wall!
I'm not kidding!
Another year a piece consisting of 10 Tampax dipped in paint, hanging from a 2 by 2, and splashed onto the canvas made the finals.

But perhaps the best one was a round wooden ball with a couple hundred nails in it at the top.

It was called Bjartmar Gjerde, a well known politician at the time.
He was known for his half-inch length hedgehog hair.

Art can be a wonderful thing, and important in society.
Sometimes though, the elite goes overboard and makes a mockery of the whole thing

i actually thought that Picasso was a drawing by a 5 year old until i saw the signature.
i sort of like the Pollock but only because it draws you to the centre, but it doesn't smack of discernible talent. i am something of a heathen but i dont see how they are vastly better than stuff that art students produce. Possibly they were innovators amongst their peers which would give the works some credence I suppose.

Originally Posted by Birnando

As an example of how idiotic the art-world can get at times, a little story from the "fall-exibition" here in Norway.
That is the most prestigious we have.

One year the jury awarded a price to one of the radiators on the wall!
I'm not kidding!
Another year a piece consisting of 10 Tampax dipped in paint, hanging from a 2 by 2, and splashed onto the canvas made the finals.

But perhaps the best one was a round wooden ball with a couple hundred nails in it at the top.

It was called Bjartmar Gjerde, a well known politician at the time.
He was known for his half-inch length hedgehog hair.

Take from an abstract, non-objective artist, what we produce, at times, even confuses us. We tend to work from the sub-conscious, blocking out, as best as we can, external, conscious thought, deliberately trying not to self criticize as we work. That all takes place after the creative drive rests (coffee, beer, tea, a cigar or what have you) and you eiother congratulate yourself or start all over again.

As to the examples you mentioned. The wall radiator is a perfect example of form and function. Sad that the judges (unless filled with whimsy at that moment) awarded it a prize. Would loved to actually see the ball and nails - now that is whimsy.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

i am something of a heathen but i dont see how they are vastly better than stuff that art students produce. Possibly they were innovators amongst their peers which would give the works some credence I suppose.

Heathen you are not, after all, you shave with a straight razor. And yes, yes, yes, they were innovators among their peers. Picasso, adpt from a very early age in realistic drawing and painting, went further than others in his need to see past the present and the past. And as for Pollack, well, yes, you can get lost in one of his alcoholic driven bursts of creativity. I don't think any one of his 'splatter' paintings were done sober. Never the less, the freedom of expression shown did help break the known boundaries of the time.

'Art' aside. The discussion on old Rodgers styles brought this to mind.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...l-rodgers.html

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Heathen you are not, after all, you shave with a straight razor. And yes, yes, yes, they were innovators among their peers. Picasso, adpt from a very early age in realistic drawing and painting, went further than others in his need to see past the present and the past. And as for Pollack, well, yes, you can get lost in one of his alcoholic driven bursts of creativity. I don't think any one of his 'splatter' paintings were done sober. Never the less, the freedom of expression shown did help break the known boundaries of the time.

whilst i dont mind a brief scout around an art gallery once in a while, my favourite thing about them is the fact that i can relax with a coffee whilst karen spends hours walking around them.
i will usually find one or two pieces which capture me but then my interest is lost.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

'Art' aside. The discussion on old Rodgers styles brought this to mind.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...l-rodgers.html

I acquired an interesting boxed pair of Rodgers razors sometime ago scaled in ivory: