Thread: Hi from Dackit in AZ. Hoping to get some info on Grandfathers razor.

Good evening from Mesa, AZ. Thanks for accepting me into the group and for this opportunity to get some information on what I believe is my grandfather's straight razor. My grandfather emigrated from the borders region of Scotland sometime around 1903-1904. I have had boxes of family stuff for years and years from my folks and other family members. While going through one a few days ago I found this great old straight razor. On one side of the tang is reads "T.R. Cadman's and Sons, Sheffield, England." On the other side it reads "Bengall". On the face (same side as Bengall) it reads Made Exclusively For R. Burnett, 70 Leith Street, Edinburgh". Is it possible that this razor could be from my grandfather's time frame before leaving Scotland? Aside from the fact that it could be my grandfather's, is this razor as cool as I think it is?
Thank you for any information you might be able to give me. Oh, and please check out the attached picture.

Welcome to SRP!

Bengall's are pretty nice razors.
Yours is a keeper since it is an heirloom item. And with a little bit of cleaning up will be a great shaver.
Others will chime in with some advice and info on it.

welcome aboard mate
the Bengall's are great shavers when cleaned up
cant help with the etching - is it your grandfathers name or who he got it off
TR Cadman Bengall's are 1871-1965 but looking I would guess with the Bakelite scales somewhere in early1900's before they went to Celluloid/plastic scales

Hi and welcome. The etching is probably for a barber or shop thst was on selling the razors so would be where it was brought from. Could be someone local to where he was in Scotland. Looks like its in pretty good condition for cleaning up and use.

Check this out
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ght-razor.html

Nothing beats an heirloom razor. You should oil it up a little and put it aside. Buy an inexpensive and shave ready straight razor and learn to shave with it. Saving your grandfathers razor from the abuses a newb puts a razor through. Then when you are ready, get your heirloom razor hones for special shaves. It is what I have done. It is very very nice for special shaves or days when i am attending family functions, or feeling nostalgic. The rest of the time I use my other straights.

Welcome to the forum. RezDog is right........."nothing beats and heirloom razor". Five of my razors were passed down to me, my favorite being my Grampa's. You got good sound advice to restore it, get a practice razor, and then put your Grandfather's to the task for which it was intended.

Hi dackit & welcome to SRP. Everyone has given you some good advice about it being an heirloom. It never fails, something would happen to it should you decide to use it as a daily shaver. Get another 1 or 2 good ones depending on your budget. You can check the Classifieds on here because members will usually make them shave ready, something other vendors claim but will not be like they say. I've heard it too many times before. You can buy from Straight Razor Designs (SRD) because Lynn the forum owner is also an owner of SRD plus he hones & strops each razor before it goes out to its new owner. You also get the option to upgrade to a better strop if you buy the straight razor & strop set or the complete kit which comes with everything you will need at a very affordable price & they have quality items. They do not sell any junk. Also, learn to strop & practice with a butterknife at first so you don't cut a new strop or dull an edge. The good thing about SRD is should you cut your strop too much, you can get a replacement leather for it. Check out Lynn's video's on Youtube. Just type in Lynn Abrams & you'll find them. Any questions just ask. It's such a pleasure to have you here. Good luck my friend.

*Oh yeah, I mentioned buying 1 or 2 straight razor's that way when one needs to be honed, you can send it out to be honed & still have one to shave with. As time goes, you might want to learn honing but don't worry about that now.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum, from up here in Prescott. It's a friendly bunch here, I just joined a few weeks ago myself.

G'Day and welcome - and might I say how lucky you are to be able to get hold of an heirloom razor.
Bengal's are beautiful razors. Please treat it right and enjoy it. A bit of 0000 steel wool and MAAS metal polish should clean it up nicely.
Watch your fingers though - a blunt razor can be a really sharp knife!!!