Thread: Found Dad's S. Razor-Tell me what I have!!!

My Dad was the manager of a 24-chair Barber shop at Coronado Navel Amphibious Base-San Diego,CA in WWII. I ran across his barber case w/clippers, scissors, straight razors and razor straps. Just for curiosity's sake I checked E-bay for straight razors and all I saw of this particular name brand were made in Germany. What I have is an F. W. Engels, REG US PAT OFF stamped on one side and Warren Velvet Edge stamped on the other. What time period would this be from, how do I tell what size or nomenclature it is, what kind of value would it have, and compared to the three I saw on E-bay(which were very fancy) did F. W. Engels hire a lazy cousin when he started manufacturing in the US? The reason I ask is due to the plain nature of the handle as compared to the fancy workmanship of those produced in Germany! This is my very first forum of any kind so forgive me if I "stink" at it! Cordially, Cleancut1

P.S. What is a "tag", trackback, and what does "post a poll" mean?

welcome to srp,

i guess you would be the one to have the narrowest timeframe for that razor since you know when your father worked there
engels is one of the larger german manufacturers and they made a lot of razors and a lot of models. some have fancier design than others, but that's no surprise. i don't think it was manufactured in us.
the 'size' is the width of the blade usually measured in 8ths or 16ths of an inch.

Originally Posted by gugi

welcome to srp,

i guess you would be the one to have the narrowest timeframe for that razor since you know when your father worked there
engels is one of the larger german manufacturers and they made a lot of razors and a lot of models. some have fancier design than others, but that's no surprise. i don't think it was manufactured in us.
the 'size' is the width of the blade usually measured in 8ths or 16ths of an inch.

Dear Gugi, Thanks so much for your reply. I would be the last to dispute your word because I am entirely new to the world of straight razors(aside from an occasional trip to a talented "old style" barber shop); but, I can say that what my eyes see on this particular razor is as I stated earlier, "F. W. Engels...New York...REG US PAT OFF" on one side and "Warren Velvet Edge" on the other. On the razors I saw on E-bay the words "Solingen Germany" are present as well as two figures. One figure appears to be male and one female. My razor has those same figures on the side which says "Warren Velvet Edge". Weird Huh? That is why I jokingly asked about the "lazy cousin" in the US. If this one is indeed manufactured in the US, it is far more plain in the handle decor than the fancies on the German made models. Dad was born in 1919 and was cutting hair long before being drafted into the Navy so I have no idea when he originally purchased it. I see others using terms such as 5/8 or 6/8 referring, I assume, to blade size and I realize I need a college course in straight razors!!! So much to know...thanks for your enlightenment! Cordially, Cleancut1

Pictures are worth a thousand words, and makes it easier to evaluate...

Dear Dan, Kind of you to reply to my post! Yes sir, you are correct about pictures being greatly desired. I have just stumbled upon this razor this past evening just as I also came in contact with this fine website. I quickly touched E-bay and then Googled "straight razors" which gave me "SRP". So, I have not taken pictures as yet but I did enjoy reading the educational materials on this sight about building a "light box" for photographing ones' razors, jewelry, and other small items for sale!! Great stuff!! I will try not to pester those "in the know" further until I can get my act togather with pictures in hand. I must say you "razor folk" are on the ball and up early this morning! Thanks again for your time! Cordially, Cleancut1

"REG US PAT OFF" Probably means (trans - this is my WAG) the trademark was registered in the US patent office which may have been overseeing trademarks at that time. I did find the below on Taylor 1000's website. He is a member here under a different name.

Engles Co
ca. 1909-1943
New York City (importers).
Use the Mark ENGLESWERK

Ever thought of using it for your daily routine? I think it is the ultimate tribute to pop using his hardware. Unfortunately mine threw his in the garbage before I could lay a hand on it. Now I have one that is a twin to the one that he used for years. My grandpa had one a little older than that and was also discarded after he died and I also have a twin to that one as well. The family has no idea what great grandpa used but 95% probability that my carbon dovo is a twin to his.

Originally Posted by Pyment

"REG US PAT OFF" Probably means (trans - this is my WAG) the trademark was registered in the US patent office which may have been overseeing trademarks at that time. I did find the below on Taylor 1000's website. He is a member here under a different name.

Thank You PYMENT, Sounds as if we may be narrowing down the years and maybe a good line on how it came to have the Engels name w/New York stamped on it although Engels was in Solingen, Germany. Cordially, Cleancut1

After shopping in antique stores I must suggest that you do not touch the things until you have read every word of the wiki on this site. It would be a shame to in some way ruin the razors before even getting to use them...

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Ever thought of using it for your daily routine? I think it is the ultimate tribute to pop using his hardware. Unfortunately mine threw his in the garbage before I could lay a hand on it. Now I have one that is a twin to the one that he used for years. My grandpa had one a little older than that and was also discarded after he died and I also have a twin to that one as well. The family has no idea what great grandpa used but 95% probability that my carbon dovo is a twin to his.

Dear JB, Yes, for now I am content to learn about the razor itself. What I know of a razor shave is that dad really knew how to hone and strop and he knew how to edge ones haircut for an extremely clean "gentleman's" look. There is nothing like walking into a barber shop where one of the real "old school" fellows knows how to use a straight razor to finish making a fully "polished" haircut. I may give razor shaving a try at some point! Sounds as if this site has plenty of mentors! Again, thanks. Cordially, Cleancut1