Thread: Need help with my grandfathers USMC Clauss!

Hey Guys! Just curious about this razor that I received from my aunt on a visit back home to Newfoundland last summer. The razor was my grandfather's (who I never met) but it's stamped on the box a "Pvt. Becker" I believe. My grandfather worked at the Navy yard in Argentia as a carpenter for many years, so I can only assume this came as a trade of some sort from the original owner.
Here's the link:
Clauss Straight Slideshow by Ben_Roche | Photobucket

I'd like to bring it back to new, hell maybe even hone it and strop it if needed. I'd like to get it back to proper shape and also find out any information I could about it (ie: approx age, how many were made, what it's worth, etc.) If any of you guys could help, it would be greatly appriciated on my end. Thanks!

That looks like a dead ringer for the Clauss that I shaved with this morning except mine is not stamped USMC. Yours appears to be in decent shape, at least from the photos, and I think should not take much to restore it. If mine is any indication of the breed it will take and hold a very nice edge proving excellent shaves. The huge bonus is that you will be using your grandfathers razor.

There are some very knowledgeable people on here that can give you a run down on the company and possibly when these were made. You might be able to research American service records to find out when Pvt. Becker was stationed in NFLD.

Bob

The Quartermaster of the USMC placed an order for razors to the Clauss Shear Company on October 7th, 1918. In 1919, Clauss merged with Henkel to make the Henkel-Clauss corporation, so most likely any USMC razors stamped with Clauss Shear Co. predate 1919.

Value is a slippery subject, since any antique is ultimately worth what someone else wants to spend on it. Because of the connection to the Marines Corps., those razors are pretty desirable. In extremely fuzzy terms, that makes it 'worth' more than other Clauss razors might be.

But I get the impression you want to know not so much so you can sell it, but to know how gently to treat it.

I'd suggest doing no kind of destructive cleaning. Maintain everything as original as you can, but definitely get it professionally honed and try shaving with it. Nothing beats a tangible family connection!

Wow quick responses! I've been trying to find any info on personnel connection...this might be harder to find then I originally thought! I thought the same regarding the markings on the box (regarding the missing "Henkel" markings) Voidmaster, but the Navy base wasn't operational until '41 I believe. Would I be wrong believing that it may have been manufactured before the merger, but not issued until much later? What do you guys think? The value isn't so much as to sell it, I'm more interested in it just for the sheer knowledge and yes, how gently to treat it. You basically hit the nail on the head there.
I was thinking cleaning it with windex and metal polish first to see the situation under the rust that's there then go from there (ie pro hone)

Originally Posted by Schassishero

Wow quick responses! I've been trying to find any info on personnel connection...this might be harder to find then I originally thought! I thought the same regarding the markings on the box (regarding the missing "Henkel" markings) Voidmaster, but the Navy base wasn't operational until '41 I believe. Would I be wrong believing that it may have been manufactured before the merger, but not issued until much later? What do you guys think? The value isn't so much as to sell it, I'm more interested in it just for the sheer knowledge and yes, how gently to treat it. You basically hit the nail on the head there.
I was thinking cleaning it with windex and metal polish first to see the situation under the rust that's there then go from there (ie pro hone)

It was definitely manufactured and issued in WWI, so your grandfather most likely got it as a hand-me-down from someone else in the Corps.

Metal polish will work well on the blade and scales. You can gently work a paper towel between them to get the stuff out from in between, or better, if you've got access to an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, that'll work great (do that before using metal polish -- the old steel has a passivation layer that will mitigate the formation of new rust from the exposure to water).

I'm not so sure about using Windex as a cleaner. It may react with the metal. I would use some VERY fine grit sandpaper or steel wool to remove the surface rust, then follow that up with some metal polish.

The bestt option, imho opinion, would be to send it out to one of SRP's professional razor honers. They would also be able to restore your razor with the right restoration materials and equipment.

I'll look into some of the pro honers on here. The last thing I want to do is mess up anything on this razor..it's kind of sentimental, you know?

I actually just finished shaving with my USMC Clauss. I could be wrong, but as far as I know that razor was made during WW2. So mid 1940's. The razors made during WW1 had usmc on the blade, the usmc stamp on the jimps as it is makes it a WW2 razor. The razors made during WW1 were also much lower quality.

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Hope this answered some of your questions.

Shassis, what great fortune.

While I don't particularly enjoy resto, I do it for my own blades. If I had an ancestor's blade - I'd send it to a reputable pro. It can't be replaced. Apologies - I didn't take the trouble to authorize all the scripts to view the blade - maybe its in great shape and needs only some polish & honing. If it needs more - I'd go pro.

'Sounds like Bob has a good feel for the blade and its condition. He would be someone I'd listen to.

'Hope you get to enjoy that heirloom soon.

Carlry, I have no plans on getting rid of anything, so the box will definitely be staying with the razor . I was glad to hear from someone who has served. Pinklather, I'm going to look into someone who knows what their doing because I don't know how to hone or sharpen..and I don't think I should learn with this one haha. From what I can see, the razor looks to be in pretty good shape. Just basically looking for someone to bring it back to the proper shape it deserves and maybe use it once in awhile.
You guys have been alot of help! I was thinking it was manufactured, and issued around WW2 as the base my grandfather didn't open until 1941. ANY and ALL information is greatly appreciated by myself, and I thank you all for the above info, and also whatever else gets added to this.