Thread: Question about this razor

Hello. I have been lurking around here for some time now, learning how to care for a straight razor, and how to shave with it, and I want to say thanks to all for all the advice.

I picked up this razor in an antique store, and was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about it. I cannot figure out who made it. The only stamp I see on it is on the tang where it says GERMANY 1228 W. Does anyone have any idea about this razor?

Are you sure there is no faint mark on the other side?

Looks like it was made from a file, but it has mother of pear tang inlays. Very interesting razor.

There are no marks on the other side at all. If there ever were, they have faded so badly they cannot be seen at all.

Originally Posted by growlf

There are no marks on the other side at all. If there ever were, they have faded so badly they cannot be seen at all.

Many of those razors with pearl covered tangs have the markings on the pearl. Check with a loupe and see if you notice any faint marks on the other side that may have been buffed.

I did that...there is nothing there that I can see.

Originally Posted by robellison01

Looks like it was made from a file, but it has mother of pear tang inlays. Very interesting razor.

I suspect the checkering was filed during the manufacture of the razor, rather than being residue from an intact file surface.

Just guessing but I would say the black scales are not original and the ones that were on before probably wore off the mark on the opposite side. Could have been an etch on the blade also. Very interesting piece with very few clues left as to it's origin. Someday another may come along with everything yours has and more so you know what you have. I guess that's the purpose of this thread eh ? :<0) Good luck and I hope more info shows up.
+1 on what Utopian said. Making razors out of files is something we do these days and not something they did when they had the tools to do it the regular way.