Thread: Hello from NH

Hi,

This is my first post from New Hampshire and hope to obtain information on my latest find/purchase. My hobby is flea-marketing and the buying (cheaply) the unique, unusual or just what catches my eye, then doing research on my finds for history such as age, rarity, collectibility etcetera then hopefully selling them forward (meaning I found flea-market gold) to repeat process. More often than not just buying expensive stuff much to my wife's dismay. But it's a process/hobby?

Which brings me to this forum with my latest find that I am researching. I found a vintage straight razor that needed some polishing of the blade but otherwise the blade/edge appears to be in good (new like) condition. But I am having some difficulty in my research because I seem to have found a unique manufacture of this vintage straight razor. My questions for the forum are as follows;


1. The bakelite bone colored handle has the inlay "YANKEE SHAVER NO. 1" in red. Which is great, usually the more information for a unknown (to me) find you have the better, but for this find I cannot figure out what this means. Because I found online other labeled yankee shavers with the no.s 2 and 3 with no explanation what these terms are referring too. Are they model numbers indicating different characteristics of the blade such as different types of grind, length of blade etcetera? Perhaps a quality designation? Or does it pertain to a manufacture of is this straight razor, or is the term generic to straight razors?

-- Another problem I found is the Yankee Shaver's No. 1's are with different manufactures or re-sellers. One is Wester Bros. and the other is H. M. C. "The Bossing Razor", Hand Made, Providence (which is the one I just found).

-- Some common characteristics between Wester Bros. and Bossing "Yankee Saver No. 1"s are the bolsters on each side of the two pivots in the handle. They are identical, very art deco, with red enameled recessed inlays with the bolsters in the form of a bow-tie (very geometric, circa. 1920's). Another characteristic between the straight razors is the bone colored bakelite handles.


2. I find it interesting in the Library the Brossing Razor does not appear or has not been as yet been catalogued. So I assume it must be unique/rare. In my research I found other Brossing straight razors but no "Yankee Shaver"s of any No. designation.


3. The 3rd puzzle is the box the seller said was original to the straight razor which has different information on it. The label on the box is for "J. M. Schmid & Son, Providence R. J." (I am assuming the "J." should have been an "I"), Made in Germany. Further the lid of the box is imprinted with "Westminster". I cannot find any connection between Schmit & Son and Brossing Razor or Wester Bros for that matter. Again, much confusion with this flea-market find.

-- I have run across the information/idea on-line that a lot of these razors where manufactured in Germany but sold with a resellers mark on the blades in the US. The resellers (?) in the US where supposedly related to someone in Germany; cousins, uncles or other family members of some sort, for the sub-branding. Has this been other forum members experience with boxes and the razors inside? Or with razors manufactured in Germany and sub-branded and sold in the US?


I guess my questions are more for collectors, but I have run across people shaving with vintage blades so I thought these questions would be of interest to the forum. I hope I haven't over done the questions.


Any opinions, comments or information will be appreciated. And I do want to sell what appears to be a very nice vintage razor once I satisfied my curiosity about the straight razor. -- Or not --


Regards, Stoystown - New Hampshire, USA

Use the search box up top or do an advanced search and anything related to the keywords will show. We don't do valuations but can give you information on the blade or manufacturer. The library consists of what members put there and there are many threads on razors not in the library. There were many hardwares, barber supplies, general stores etc using blades from german makers either with thier brands or etchs on the exact same blades all with different markings. Good luck with your search.

So, do you have any interest in using one?

I daresay this post is purely for the OP to profit, which is absolutely fine, but as this website is for users, most of whom are looking to find a bargain, im not sure many would be willing to help.

I kind of hate to admit on this forum that I have *completely* stopped shaving about a year ago. And am looking to sell this nice vintage straight razor in what looks to be beautiful condition. As stated before with some minor polishing of the blade (by me).

I have used the search engine and found only general information and have not been able to answer any of my questions. Thanks eddy79 for the information on using the search function. But i have found in my searching here a picture of a J. M. Schmid & Son straight edge razor that is the same style as my BOSSING complete to the double shoulder.

The razor is a half hollow, 5/8, square end (top and bottom slightly round), approx. 3 inch long, double shoulder, straight back, straight edge, tight pivot, blonde Bakelite scales (with two small somewhat darker spots, 1 on each side - very minor) with no cracks or chips., inlay on handle with red lettering "YANKEE SHAVER NO. 1" - VERY CRISP, with 4 art-deco "bow-tie" bolsters with red enamel geometric inlay, the metal on the razor (now) gleams, with purportedly the original coffin box (J. M. SCHMID Providence, R.J. [I.]) - gray with black lettering as stated above - the box is intact but shows it's age - box a bonus. If you what to see the razor just search for "YANKEE SHAVER No. 1" Wester. (You should not find a "BOSSING" YANKEE SHAVER No. 1 - except this one) IMHO.

Any information to my original questions in my first post or opinions will be appreciated.

Could this be the only "THE BOSSING RAZOR", "YANKEE SHAVER NO. 1", circa 1920? With "H. M. C." in heart, reverse shank "HANDMADE PROVIDENCE", "IN U.S.A., R.I." inside of anvil, with a "tomahawk" on the tang? There must certainly be at least one forum member that has one. (?) Possibly a great research project if so inclined. -- Or not --

Regards, Stoystown, USA, NH

Hi markbignosekelly and forum,

As I said in my post, my hobby is finding then researching stuff that I find. In this case a BOSSING. I bought the razor because the bolsters caught my eye and it looked interesting. I know nothing of straight edge razors or about any of the stuff that I find initially. That is (to me) what is interesting and is a part of the "hunt". Filling in the history or background of antiques or vintage items that I purchase, on the cheap. Of course finding "gold" or value that is overlooked is also fun. My main reason for posting was to share this find with the group and to find possibly more information. I had done some research and began to realize this could be an interesting find. I've been on silver forums, knife forums, pottery forums, print, furniture, sculpture forums etcetera. If this razor where common I would have already have found the info and it would then probably be of no interest to the group and I would not be here posting. What would be the point?

I would also suppose many forum users here have "collections" as well as using them and would be experts or very knowledgeable in their pursuit of the perfect shave. How then can this quest continue without boundaries growing? Hence the forums for straight edge users and for an occasional misfit.

Regards, Stoystown

I can see where you're coming from so good luck with your findings.

Mark

Pictures would help

Some things to keep in mind. People repin razors with different scales to fix a broken one. Sounds like the scales are nice so someone could have reused them from a broken blade. If the writings on the box don't match what is on the razor then it is probably not original. I have gotten plenty of razors that haven't come in the original coffin. Many collectors aren't part of forum's. I have a Club razor and searching here and posting about it as well revealed nothing but I know 2 others with one and all 3 have different markings although by the same maker and these are the only 3 I know off. The only reason I know of the other 2 is I actually know the owners as they are not on forums. There may be many of these razors sitting in junk draws or sitting in cupboards as family heirlooms with the owners giving it no though. Good luck with your search and hopefully it isn't a generic that many used or it will be unlikely you will find much.

Hi,

Thanks for the information. I never considered repining. After reexamining the razor pins they appear to be original. The material and the patina of the pins seem to match the bolsters. IMHO Do you have an opinion about repining with these new photos? If the scales are married to the blade then there is not much reason to continue with the information request here. It would then just be a BOSSING.

Does any one have any more opinions or information to my original post with the addition new photos?


Thank you
Regards, Stoystown



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