Thread: First razor purchase

hey guys just got back from picking up my first razor didn't pay much for it and it could use some work to be shavable but I'm really happy with it. it is a challenge cutlery co. Bridgeport Connecticut. was wondering if anybody could give me some company history and let me know how they shave, any info would be great. I am so green at this but I think it's a hollow grind.

You will find a little information here:

Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation

Looks like a beauty to me...

One thing I do notice, though, is that there is what appears to be some uneven hone wear on the spine, and possibly a slight frown. Not much, and not a lot to worry about (I think... I'm not an expert), but if you look at the spine, you'll see it's smiling slightly. In the middle, it looks like the hone wear is slightly more than at the heel or toe, and either it's the shadows in the pic or there may be a slight frown.

I don't think it's anything that would cause any real trouble in honing... nothing a pro couldn't fix for ya. Again, I could be wrong about all of this. I'll defer to someone with more experience than myself.

Still, a good looking razor and I'll bet you'll have great shaves with it!

Originally Posted by crouton976

Looks like a beauty to me...

One thing I do notice, though, is that there is what appears to be some uneven hone wear on the spine, and possibly a slight frown. Not much, and not a lot to worry about (I think... I'm not an expert), but if you look at the spine, you'll see it's smiling slightly. In the middle, it looks like the hone wear is slightly more than at the heel or toe, and either it's the shadows in the pic or there may be a slight frown.

I don't think it's anything that would cause any real trouble in honing... nothing a pro couldn't fix for ya. Again, I could be wrong about all of this. I'll defer to someone with more experience than myself.

Still, a good looking razor and I'll bet you'll have great shaves with it!

yeah I'm taking to a guy named Bob that does restos and honing. I just hope I can get several years of use out of it. I hope it's not been honed out already lol. it does have rust near the stamp at the pin but the pin seems to work nicely and has a good feel. a pit in one side near the top. But I'm looking for agood functional razor. Fingers crossed.

In 1889, Walter M.Taussing founded the Challenge Razor Works in Bridgeport Connecticut, In 1899 the name became the Challenge Cutlery Company. It was incorporated in 1905 and by 1928. stopped production or was sold. That said your razor was made between 1905 to 1928.

Meh, I wouldn't sweat the pitting... This one is what I'm shaving with tonight. I'm sure there's plenty of life left in your razor.

Originally Posted by crouton976

Meh, I wouldn't sweat the pitting... This one is what I'm shaving with tonight. I'm sure there's plenty of life left in your razor.

what do you use to wipe the unadulterated awesome off your face after shaving with that?

Originally Posted by Martin103

In 1889, Walter M.Taussing founded the Challenge Razor Works in Bridgeport Connecticut, In 1899 the name became the Challenge Cutlery Company. It was incorporated in 1905 and by 1928. stopped production or was sold. That said your razor was made between 1905 to 1928.

thank you so much for the information. Do you know what kind of quality they were known for? I've not heard many people talk about them.

Originally Posted by Vegita182

what do you use to wipe the unadulterated awesome off your face after shaving with that?

Nothing. I like to let it simmer for a bit...

Challenge Razor Works and Challenge Cutlery Co, are both great shavers, reason being that at this time is history most American cutlery hired Sheffieders and German cutlery workers to come here and work and train people to do the various phases of cutlery manufacturing. Properly honed this razor will not disappoint.