Thread: MAGBEL (Made and Ground by English Labour) Razors, Infos?

I got this Robert Kelly & Sons, Liverpool 11/16", 1/1 Hollow Razor a while ago and gave it a
little Restauration today (the Original Plastic Scales were broken and the Blade was very dirty).
But now after it looks very fine IMO, i wonder about the etching "MAGBEL", the Case is signed
MAGBEL TM too, but without any Signs of the Manufacturer (i guess Robert Kelly & Sons was
only a Reseller / Distributeur).
Does someone know more about these Razors? I found Magbel Razors with different Names on
the Erl. The Magbel Slogan (Made And Ground By English Labour) seems very patriotic for me,
maybe it was manufactured in the 30s?

I also have a Robert Kelly razor. The tang is marked "Kelly. Liverpool" on the front, "German Ground" on the back and the blade is etched "Diamond Edge" The box is marked "Robert Kelly & Sons."
The Kelly hardware store was located in Renshaw St. Liverpool, and I used to pass it every day on my way to school about 50 years ago. I must have been in there at some time but I don't remember it.
They made their own brand of woodworking and engineering tools but I don't know where their razors originated from.
Hope this helps

I cannot help with the questions but it is a looker.

That etch is very cool! Enjoy!

I picked this razor up just because I was familiar with Kelly's in Liverpool. It was in rough shape when I got it but it cleaned up quite well. I particularly like the engraving on the blade, it is well done
Unfortunately the blade has been shortened at sometime and the work was left rough. I have now tidied up the end up and I think it's quite presentable. I have not honed it yet and may just leave it as is.
This is my first attempt at attaching a photo, I hope it works.
Gord

Good job on fixing the end.

Bob

Robert Kelly & Sons was a hardware business based in Liverpool, founded in 1875 by Robert kelly (1845-1925). The business lived until 1970's.
Seems like most of their cutlery items was made for them, since their main business was tools, but they are also listed early has cutlers but seems unlikely that they did make cutlery but probably more into maintaining them.

They published many tools catalog close and after the turn of the century.


By the pictures below, R. Kelly also imported cutlery from germany since the razor is marked real German made Hollow Ground on the back side.



Interestingly your razor has the trademark Magbel, a little more research on the trademark shows it was filed in 1952 by John Clarke And Sons.


John Clarke and Sons, Sheffield, England, 1894 - 1923, became "Ltd." in 1905.

Thank you very much for that Informaton! :-)
I didnt expected that the Razor i younger than it seemed (as is said, i expected that it came from the 30s), but under this light it looks more like the 50s :-)
Funny the Story with Clarke and Sons, i got another Razor (sold it some time ago, stupid, i know), also from a Liverpool Business,
John Harley, Old Haymarket, Liverpool "The Genuine Ring, Trademark Registered" 7/8" that was originally made by Clarke and Sons under the NEVA TM.
In this Thread of the german Gut-Rasiert.de Forum are some Pics of that Razor:
John Clarke & Son, Sheffield