Carrie.... my pictures wouldn't do it any justice compared to Max's... Max is a pro!
I have a crappy digital that's 10 years old.
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Hi Everyone!
After expressing my interest in using a SR with my Dad (I'm 30, he's 64), he mentioned that he had been holding onto a SR that he originally got from the adopted family member for which he was named after from that man's estate. The razor is in it's original box and wrapped in the original tissue paper; it's never been used. The box states Genco Company (of which I've seen similar boxes in this part of the website) in Bradford, PA (I'm guessing when Case moved them there). Either on the blade or the box is "Heckel Bros., Kansas City MO". On one side of the blade is stamped "Germany", on the other side is "Bob White" with the picture of a bird stamped between Bob and White. To my Dad's understanding, the handle is made out of ivory (he was offered $150 for it when I was very young). Can you SR experts help me out with some history on this and/or an approximate value? Should this be something that should be used or some kind of unknown investment?
Well, if it has Germany stamped on the tang it is not a Genco product since they were all made in the U.S. For a value, you could go to ebay and look for something similar in style, shape, size, and condition. That would give you some idea. It would make a great user I'm sure.
My first Genco... I love it... will not be an orphan for long now ... many many brothers and sisters will join him
Here's my contribution. It's a Genco B2 (you can take that question mark off of the list) that I re-furbished and put a new handle on. It is my first, and only, razor for the time being.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/...4edf2977_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/...387edd87_o.jpg
I bought this at an antique store for ten bucks. The blade had a lot of surface rust and pitting, and the handles were warped, cracked and useless. I brought it back to life with a little time, and a scrap of desert ironwood.
Phillip
Pyramid
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ramid_4000.jpg
Spike with Custom Scales
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...pike_13000.jpg
Here's the newest addition to my rotation and also my first attempt at honing. Well I can't say I honed it from scratch but I did finish it.
It's a Geneva Cutlery Pyramid 7. 6/8 half-hollow. black plastic scales, white plastic spacer.
Still on the lookout for one of those classy Genco blades though.
Waiting for Sue Green of Ontario Knife Co. to address any possible historical connection with Onterio Cutlery Co. and Genco, sent second request yestersay. A loose history in brief of: Shatt-Morgan bought 1932 by Queen Cutlery,in house and contract manufacturers,a sister company of Ontario Knife.Robeson Cutlery bought 1971 by Onterio knife.Robeson, stamped under his name, imported straight razors until the 1897 Dingley tarriff act made importation economically prohibitive.
Sources:
Robeson Knives
The Queen Knife Company - Shatt & Morgan Knife
In a previous post one of the members speculated on the possibility of a business relationship between Geneva Cutlery Co. and Onterio Cutlery Co.
Speaking with Karen Osburn of the Geneva Historical Society,She consulting the Geneva city directories 1907,1928 and 1971 found no listing for Onterio Cutlery Co,
Can any members supply a possible explanation for the deepening mystery of the displaced whereabouts of Ontario Cutlery ?
I'm in on the Genco club - I have four at the moment (all mint) and they shave as good as anything else I have (Fillys, Le Grelots, etc) and I love that they are bit different and much more affordable than many of the desirable razors. I'll post photos later!
Here's an awesome Master Barber I got from a recent foray into US ebay.
Restored and honed by ebay user lax1mxr.
Enjoy!
Here's a Geneva Cutlery Company Ontario that arrived a few days ago. Cleaned it up, honed it up, and it delivered a great shave this morning, as all Genco's do!
Attachment 42724
I have the humble wedge in green:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/24-04-10.jpg
Best regards
Ralfson (Dr)
6/8 Genco "Nubak" Geneva, N.Y. USA
Stamped on reverse tang, $3.00
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/8488c9f0.jpg
My Genco Master Barber...
Attachment 42980
Hey can I join? I just picked up this Genco last night on ebay
I wanted to put my few Gencos Up , I absolutely love these razors :)
Top Pic:
GoldSeal
Seneca Chief
Old Dutch
Bottom Pic:
Easy Aces, Square point with bow-tie bolsters
Easy Aces, Round Point
Not pictured A Genco De Roma that still needs to be restored
I just received my first Genco in the mail today. It was an impulse purchase on ebay and I'm happy to see that it was a good purchase. I'm going to give it a clean up and a bit of honing, then post it here.
It's great to know that these are well regarded razors.
By pure dumb luck, my first razor was picked up in an antique store - a 6/8 full hollow Fluid Steel. Nine razors later, it takes edges and shaves better than any hollow I have.
Being the noob of 3 months, I'm still leaning on the crutch of the heavier grinds, allowing me for a brief time to think I know how to use a straight. Sigh.
Did Genco ever make a 1/2, 1/4 or wedge?
There is a Genco Wedge, I should take some photos of mine.... There are also a bunch of half hollows by Geneva, but I'm not sure if there are any with the Genco stamp on them.
Edit - Here's my Genco Wedge and my Genco Gold Seal. Pretty sure both are NOS. I haven't honed them yet; haven't even taken off the price tags...
I'll bet you're loving those. I never see anything but the plain jane and full hollow. I sure love the blades, though.
I have accidently stumbled upon this Genco Razor club
I feel I must submit my Genco razors. I have around 13 Gencos and a 14th sitting in a NOS box packed in Camelia Oil. This is a NOS RedCross Genco which will remain in hiding for at least the next century.
I became interested in Gencos when I realized that some of them were made just up the road from me in Bradford PA. The rest were apparently made in Geneva NY by the same people so who gives a shat and they are great utilitarian shavers period.
Still looking for Gencos..................
Well, here is the Red Cross by demand............
I have 4, all blades like new. One needs to be rescaled. My favorite is a model 89 Genco, 11/16 or there about. I'll try to get a pic of the 89.
Here's my Geneva Cutlery Pyramid...can I be part of the club?:D
Very nice. Welcome aboard!!
Hey guys, I have a Geneva 9/16 Pyramid #25 in what I think could be the original scales with a date and some words scratched into them. I like the idea of history behind the scales so I don't think I will be changing them anytime soon. I will post a pic tomorrow when I can pull the camera out.
William
Here is my Genco
So, not that it's anything special as Gencos go. But, it's my first e-bay razor, and my very first straight shave.
Here she is...no super model, but she serves me well:
Thought I would add my Genevas to the mix.
First up is an 'empty' Pyramid, 6/8", Half Concave grind, single shoulder:
Attachment 66720
Next is my 'Sterling Steel', Pyramid 7 + SS, single shoulder. Appears to be stainless steel from honing feedback. Although the blade width tapers towards the toe and it has some big grinding/regrinding marks, its my 2nd favorite blade (favorite American steel).
Attachment 66719
Someone had asked about grinds available. These are what I have seen listed for Gencos:
Wedge
Half Concave
Full Concave
Special Concave
Special Full Concave
Extra Full Concave
Here is a small summary of Geneva and Genco to hopefully clear up some confusion:
Geneva Cutlery made razors in Geneva, NY from 1902-1935. They made the Genco line from ~1916-1935. Production of the Pyramid razors stopped after 1935. Case bought the Genco trademark in 1936 and made the Genco brand at the original Geneva, NY plant (with largely unchanged plant staff, I believe)from 1935-1960. In 1960 the Geneva, NY plant was shut down and the contents moved to Chicago (for use by a different company). From 1960-1965 Case made Gencos at their Bradford, PA plant. At least 5 Geneva/Genco employees came to the Bradford plant when the NY plant closed. There were other minor name and ownership changes along the way, but this summary should help you understand who, when and where your Geneva/Gencos were made...
Smooth Shaves,
Jason
Jason,
Thanks for the post and the company info. As a newcomer to straights can you tell me if there's any way to distinguish the Geneva Cutlery Gencos from the Case made Gencos? Further, can you tell the Geneva made Case Gencos from the Bradford made Case Gencos?
History geek,
very nice ones.
Hey Jim, As far as I know, the only ones you can tell apart would be the '60-'65 (Case) Gencos. Those were made in Case's Bradford PA plant, and so will be stamped with Bradford PA instead of Geneva NY. No way to tell apart the 'Case owned' vs. 'Geneva owned' Geneva NY plant Gencos, unless you somehow know what year it was purchased/made.
Some Gencos have prices stamped on the tang-- I suppose if you were really studious you could figure out what years go with what prices and figure it out that way..... Hope that made sense :)
Thanks for the reply Jason. I'm not that committed to the idea of figuring it out, and/or don't think I have the resources to do it. So far as my current Genco goes, I'm guessing it's a Case-Geneva given the gold scales. Don't think they would have had them before that. I'll definitely keep my eye out when looking at Genco's now. Thanks again.
Peace,