Thread: First razor pictures and questions

Hello everybody!

I have just recently acquired my first straight razor, from a friend who has many very old ones, and was wondering if anybody can give me any info on it. The shank is stamped FRIEDR. HERDER ABR. SOHN on one side, with a spade and crossed keys on either side of it, SOLINGEN - GERMANY below it, and 257 on the side. On the other side, it is stamped F. HERDER with a spade and a strange trident looking thingy. I have attempted to attach a few pictures of it with this post. I was wondering if anybody knows who Friedrich (I assume) Herder is, and what kind of quality the razor is? The blade seems very superbly hardened to me, but I have limited experience with knives only, none with razors. If anybody has any inclination of its age, quality of razor, what 257 means (serial # perhaps?), or what that strange stamp is, I would appreciate any and all info that I can get.

Thank you,
-Galen

Here's a link to the SRP page on this make:http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...Abr._Sohn_GmbH


Someone more knowledgeable than I will jump in and fill you in. I think you have a winner, assuming it's undamaged.

Nice score! Solingen says it is of good quality.I had a similar razor, a square point with white bone (I think) scales and it was a mighty fine shaver. One of our SRP members serving in Afghanistan was wanting a str8 razor so I sent it to him. Been looking for a replacement but so far haven't found one in decent condition.

Get it honed up and enjoy!

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Here's a link to the SRP page on this make:http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...Abr._Sohn_GmbH


Someone more knowledgeable than I will jump in and fill you in. I think you have a winner, assuming it's undamaged.

It's in perfect condition, I honed, stropped, and shaved with it this morning! Didn't quite get away unscathed, but I'm getting better.

I think I saw a herder group on here somwhere?

Martin 103 where are you? Your wisdom and tomes are required.

Looks like they came back post 1993 bankruptcy
Friedr. Herder Abr. Sohn GmbH - Top quality knives and scissors from Solingen since 1727

From Wiki

Date of establishment of the company is the 27 February 1727. On this day, Peter Herder had to Pilghausen the trademark "Schoppe wet" (= Pik as) entered in the character role of Solingen "Measuring makers Court". The certificate thereof is preserved today in Solingen city archive. Yet the fork sign and cross arranged double key were added later.

After Peter Herder's death in 1762, the company that exported at that time already in the Dutch market, went over to the sons of Abraham and Johann Peter Herder . The eldest son of Abraham Herder, the 1761 born Johann Abraham Herderfollowed them. This involved his sons in the business, he called the company Joh. ABR. Herder & SNE. After the death of his son Abraham, Johann Abraham Herder recorded 1839 - short before own death - his grandson Friedrich Herder as a partner, and this ran from 1841 to the company by the company "Friedrich Herder ABR.. Son"next. The company kept this name until its end, as no Herder's more at their owners were.

After Friedrich Herder's death in 1887 Gustav Walter Bailey took over the company. He was the eldest son from the first marriage of Friedrich Herder's daughter, Emilie, with Hermann Walter Bailey. The younger son Carl Walter Bailey took over the management of the newly established branch in Buenos Aires together with Hermann Bick, the son from the second marriage of Emilie herders with Solingen in 1908 Pastor Bick. Until the bankruptcy of the company in 1993, the families of Baker and Weyer mountain then were their main shareholder.

So it was definitely made sometime between 1839 and 1993! I wonder if anybody has put a date to the stamps that could narrow the window, it seems that their makers mark was changed several times.