Thread: A tidbit of Razor history...hope it helps

Gentlemen,
In my rash and ofttimes misguided quest to have a small collection of razors waiting for me when I return from Iraq, I purchased a Marsh Bros. and a Lister and Son razor from the "bay". I hadn't heard of either and attempted to research the names. I stumbled onto a listing of merchants and manufacturers in Sheffield in 1834. As I used to dabble in my family history, I found this list fascinating and thought you might want to place it in the wiki. It widened my view of the town of Sheffield just a little and honestly excited me. So without further ado, I present....

GENUKI: Sheffield Directory of Trades and Professions for 1834

If this has already been posted then I apologize, as I didn't see it.

v/r
Kenneth

A very interesting list of all the different trades, including the "razor Makers", of course. Many of the trades I did not have a clue as to what they were. It was interesting in regard to the many different razor makers that were unknown today. I wondered, "which of these unknowns made a fabulous razor"?

Thanks for posting this very interesting list.

I think you will behappy with the Marsh if it is in any kind of shape to start with. I have a Marsh and it is wonderful steel.

It looks to be in good shape. It has an eagle etched on the blade with "eplurubus unum". I noticed that it appears to be post 1828(?) as the maker is Marsh Bros. instead of Marsh and Sheperd. Supposedly this change occured around that time. I'm used to digging through census records and such and it often, indirectly, paints a picture. I found it interesting that all of the big guys were working right along each other for years. History is what made straight razors so easy for me to pick up. I am only beginning and sometimes the wiki doesn't have a name you're looking for. So where did that razor you just got off ebay come from? Hopefully this can fill in some blanks. Have a great day gents and thank you to Lynn and the boys for such a great resource for us.

v/r
Kenneth