Thread: My Thoughts on Those Very Old Straight Razors

That Very Old Straight Razor

I have often wondered why I have such a fascination with the older straight razors. Could it be that my curiosity is sparked by an unknown link to the past? Am I fascinated because the razor holds a story that can no longer be told? More often than not, the razor in your hand belonged to a forgotten man. I believe that no one should be ever be forgotten…

As I carefully hold an old razor in my hands, I see so much more than a couple bucks worth of steel sandwiched between two pieces of cheap plastic or colorful celluloid. I see life that has passed…

I see personality written on the worn and scratched blades of every razor I pick up. Some things are evident. Most are not. Who was this man? What was he like? Could this razor have been a gift from his family? Is this the razor that was used more than the others? Was it the “Sunday” shaver, or was this his only razor? Did that nick on his nostril from the morning shave became the pattern of events for the day. What were the curse words he used to celebrate the event? Is anyone still around who has a memory of him or can still recall the sound of his voice? Questions like this will forever be without answers. But, I still ask them every time I come across another old straight razor.

Those shoulderless razors conjure up the most speculation. I can’t help but imagine a late 1800’s journey of a new Wade~Butcher razor riding in a tattered wooden box stored neatly under the seat of the oxen-led wagon as it headed west from Iowa. Somehow I just know it wound up making passage through the muddy streets of a new town called Tombstone. Could it have been the razor used in the barber shop on Fremont Street? And if that were the case, look at the faces it shaved. Awesome! Just awesome!

Just as fascinating are the razors with noticeable hone wear on the spine, telltale signs of life from years and years of daily use. I see this worn blade as evidence of more frugal times. Times, I’m sure, that would have challenged the best of us today. I sometimes think that the uneven wear near the tip of the razor got there for a reason other than just the inability to hone the razor properly. Maybe this razor belonged to a man who sported a mustache or goatee. Since the tip was used extensively to trim the all important outline of the hair growth, more attention to this area of the blade was given on the hone and strop. The slight upward curvature probably reduced the instances of unwanted cuts and made the mechanics of the shave a tad more efficient. Am I the only one to wonder about these things?

It provides a sense of accomplishment knowing that, by restoring these important tools of Americana, part of that man who is no longer with us will live on just a little bit longer. That is important to me. That razor can now have a new life with someone else rather than continue to rust away in a forgotten Van Dyke cigar box in the attic. Maybe it will once again be used on a daily basis for another forty years. Maybe it will be passed down to future generations. Maybe it will just sit behind some glass for people to look at. Maybe it will tell stories of its own to people like me.

What are your thoughts?

Urlee, Very well written and thought of. I am using them now and started a small collection from some members here and eBay. As I get the razor I look it over and wonder, Who had ever used this old razor at one time. Was it an actual gift to this person, and or was it there only razor they had ever used. But they do hold tales in there own ways in my opinion. Seeing there condition and marks and light stains on them. And wondered how many times it had ever shaved this persons face. But to say the least they are now a new found excellent hobby. Others can chime in and share their thoughts as well.

I wonder much of the same about the old blade I'm shaving with now. Specifically why an 80 year old razor is in such excellent shape and is such a wonderfull shaver. I doubt this was a barbers razor or a regular shaver from the past since there is so little (no?) wear on it. Perhaps it belonged to someone who generaly prefered a beard, or someone who got hooked on the safety razor fad.

What puzzles me even more is how it went for so long without becoming corroded. It must have been one dry and dusty town when it finally laid down for all those decades .... just waiting for ME!

I think any of us that collect vintage and antique stuff can wonder the same things. I collect old pocketwatches in addition to razors and I have often wondered about the watch manufactured in the 1700s when washington was president how it traveled to this country maybe in the pocket of some rich guy on a sailing ship and how many people have carried it on their person through the years. The same with razors. If they could only talk and tell us what they have seen through the years.

Maybe in two hundred years from now someone will be shaving with your Wonderedge and ponder about your history and who you were and think of our time as we think about the 1700s or 1800s

I always wonder as well, who has shaved with this razor and where. What journey's has it seen? Has it been passed from father to sone? Finding a really old one in nice shape is an absolute thrill. Lynn

That really is something that is fascinating about these old razors. I've got some I know are well over 200 years old and still shave quite well even though they're a long way from being a "singing blade", LOL. They are, however, whispering blades, because they say things that you have to listen to very carefully. Their stories are scant and you always want to know more, but keep the whispering is barely discernible. Perhaps with time, more of the story told - or maybe that past life goes away, replaced by their new life as they do again what they were made to do so many years ago.

How many times have they shaved? How many owners? How many generations, even? Did the owners consider shaving to be the pleasurable experience I do, or a chore that they performed reluctantly for the sake of social acceptance and to please SWMBO? Was it the only razor owned by a poor man? One of many in a rotation of one who was well to do? Was it honed by the owner and treated with great care? Was it keener in his hands than mine or would he be surprised to know just how well it was shaving for me? I doubt he had 12,000 grit Chinese waterstones and diamond pasted strop hones.

Those with obvious hone wear.... were they ground down by coarse stones as the owner tried futilely to get it to be kind to his face? Was he a honemeister who shaved for a lifetime with it, only touching it to a barber hone as gently as possible? Was honing and sharpening as challenging for the average razor owner then as it is for those new to the straight shave today?

Those with very obvious but even wear were obviously well cared for. Especially the very fine extra hollow ground blades.... they're so fragile... so delicate... did the owner manage to use it with such care as to never drop it, let it touch the side of the porcelain sink or faucett or anything else hard and damaging? Was it abandoned in favor of a double edge? Maybe a newer, fancier straight razor as finances permitted? Was it never retired except by the owner's passing and then left as it was after it's last shave until finally disposed of by an heir maybe decades later?

How much did the owner have to pay for his razor. I like the fancier razors, as does everyeone, I suppose..... Most were not fancy at all and the ubuiquitous black razor with the plain, undecorated blade was clearly the choice of most. Was the owner a rich man? Was he just a guy like me with a love of the fine steel and balance in a wonderful razor who saved his very hard earned money to get the best he could afford? How did he come to choose his razor? Was it in a hardware store or drug store? Did he buy it through his barber? Maybe a door-to-door salesman who explained the unique qualities of his particular wares like the fuller brush salesmen used to do. Did his friends, fathers or uncles advise him in what was the best razor to buy? Was it purchased for him as a gift instead? Maybe his father, in a personal acknowledgement of manhood, handed over his own personal razor saying, "son, you're a man now. It's time I taught you how to shave".

Everyone man who shaved used a straight razor, few would have been able to afford the fine luxury English shave soaps and creams we use today. Did they make their own shaving cream and lotion or purchase their soaps from the barber or drugstore? Did they have a fine brush? Did they ever even think about one day owning a larege, full, silvertip pure badger brush?

Was it owned by a Sunday shaver? An every-other-day shaver? An important man who must shave every day for proper public appearance? The fine, ivory razor with great artwork would have been very expensive - did the owner shave with it or was it a trophy that was too nice to use? Most of the very, very fancy razors I've seen show little or no signs of use. Did some of the owners get daily shaves from their butler or manservant? Could a plantation owner have entrusted his bare neck to his Houseslave's hands?

These items are used in such a personal way - and many show signs of very regular use even to the wear patterns on the handle. If only the razors could tell us all their secrets... I suppose that's part of the mystery and fascination with these wonderful creations by artisans of times long, long ago.

Something to remember... None of us is as knowledgeable as all of us. With that said, I want to thank everyone who adds to this thread. I really like the responses thus far. I know there are more of you who could say something. Please do. Don't just kick the tires, jump right in and say something...

I think everyone's contribution is valuable. I would be especially interested in stories about razors with a known history. I also like hearing the speculations of a razor's journeys... something that sparks the imagination.

I think when someone holds a thing in his hands (like a razor) some of his "essence" is transferred to it. I took a class in collage about normal and paranormal psychology and one of the assignments was to exchange a small personal item and try and see if we could gather any meaningful images from it. I was quite taken aback by the findings. Those items did in fact have a type of memory. I was handed a photograph. When I held it and closed my eyes I could “see” a picture of the last supper, the ocean, and sandy beaches, very clearly. The owner of the photo told me he grew up in Hawaii and had a picture of the last supper hanging in his house. I was floored.
And whenever I see an auction for a razor that says something like “this is from my late father, or uncle, or grandfather”. I think to myself, how can this guy sell something that was so personal, and was held each day, and put to the face of a man he loved and is no longer here. It’s like selling a small remaining piece of that person.
So next time you’re wondering about who owned the razor you are holding, close you’re eyes, relax, be open and sincere, and who knows, you might just see into the previous owners life.
Later, Tim

That's a huge part of the fascination for me. Having such an intimate connection with the past and experiencing the same idiosyncrocies of a razor that somone did 100 or more years is certainly something you won't find in too many hobbies.

You know, that might be the reason some collectors don't want to renovate a razor. But for me, the act of shaving with the razor makes the most intimate connection.

I got to thinking after reading these posts. The razor I bought on ebay was from a seller who discontinued his ebay seller ID (after several hundred transactions) immediately after I bought it. I decided to email him directly and inquire about the razor I've been using.

He told me he kept it in a box for the last 25 years since it came down to him when his father died. He never saw his father shave with it, but he knew that it was bought in Toronto around 1915! His father was in the artillery in WW I and this razor would have been essential to him for the gas mask seal.

So, my first razor is a Dubl Duck which was first purchased in my own home town 90 years ago, likely travelled to Britain and France in WW I and retired to the US before this, its second life.

Turns out there's no harm in asking.

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