Thread: Genco Pura

Here's my Geneva Cutlery Pyramid...can I be part of the club?

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:


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).


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.

Originally Posted by BigJim

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,

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,