Thread: A Razor Request..

Hello my friends,

I just took the liberty to join your fine classic shaving forum, I've decided to give this straight razoring a try.. as it were. I just picked up a supposed vintage razor, that seems to be of decent quality off E*Bay. I am having a hard time finding any information on it, Perhaps one of you might be more acquainted ?

Its an Imperial Safety Straight Razor, it has an etching of two men riding a bicycle on the blade, and reads..

Imperial Razor
Warranted
Registered 20507
Germany

On the tang.

Hi Roshambo,

I am a novice, (hate newbie), when it comes to razors and only joined SRP a few days ago myself, so I find it ironic that I'm offering help to someone. However, if you type imperial razor into Google you will find a fair amount of info about your razor, including an SRP member who had one for sale about a year ago. I've been using Google quite a bit when researching razors and it's been helpful.
Good luck,
Michael

Greetings! I'm afraid I don't have anything to offer on the razor, other than to say that if it was made in Songen, Germany, it's probably a decent blade. I'm not sure where else in that country razors were ground or how the quality may compare. Maybe other more experienced members can address this. My main reason for replying was simply to welcome both Roshambo and Michael to the forum! I hope you get as much out of it as I have in the past year or so.

Welcome to SRP.

When trying to identify razors, our very own SRDB (Straight Razor DataBase) is a good entry point: Imperial Razor Co. "20507" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

I happen to own this razor, having acquired it from Max. It is a very nice razor.

Regards,
Robin

Hi Roshambo
This is what I found; Don't know if this applies.

IMPERIAL RAZOR
Trademark used by A. Kastor & Brothers
ca. 1886 - 1945

A. KASTOR & BROS
New York City
Trademarks used: "Imperial Razor Company", four-leaf clover, "XLNT", "K & Co GERMANY", and others
About 1901, Kastor & Bros purchased the Camillus Knife Company of Camillus, New York. They changed the name in 1902 to the Camillus Cutlery Co. In 1947, the name Kastor was dropped completely, although they are still in business as Camillus.
ca. 1876 - 1947

Stagehand,

That looks very useful. Would you log into the Wiki, then click the red link for Imperial Razor here: Imperial Razor Co. "20507" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki, then fill out the form, please?

Thank you!
Robin

Well thanks everyone for the info, I wonder if its worth anything...

The blade is a bit different than the one pictured in the database, Here is a link to the auction, there are quite a few photos there, hope I can still shave with this.

* Antique * Imperial Safety * Germany Straight Razor ** - eBay (item 280386134233 end time Aug-23-09 14:07:49 PDT)

Hi BeBerlin,
I added the info to the wiki. Thanks for suggesting it.

welcome to srp,

as you may guess if you've already read some posts here you would need to get the razor honed. you'll also need a strop.

Originally Posted by gugi

welcome to srp,

as you may guess if you've already read some posts here you would need to get the razor honed. you'll also need a strop.

*Nods* I've got a Fromm strop I found for 35 dollars on amazon in the mail along with the razor, what would be a good way to locate a bladesmith who could hone it for me in my area ?