Bransford & Co. -- Bengall

I made the switch to an old-style safety razor a while back, and I've been slowly building up the nerve to try a straight razor. I found this one on ebay and liked it. For only $20, I figured I'd give it a try. Supposedly, it is an antique straight razor.

As you can see by the picture, etched on the blade is: "Imported by Bransford & Co." and then on the spine is stamped "Bengall." There is nothing on the other side of the blade.

I've been unable to find anything about Bransford & Co. online. Does anyone know anything about them? Your take on this razor? Do you suppose it is an antique? Do you suppose it is really a Bengall?


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Here is the full text of the discription on ebay: "HERE IS A VINTAGE BENGALL MADE IN ENGLAND STRAIGHT RAZOR. BLADE IS ETCHED: IMPORTED BY BRANSFORD & CO, BENGALL. BOTH THE HANDLE AND BLADE MEASURE 5 5/8". OVERALL IS 6 1/4". BLADE CLOSES DEAD CENTER BETWEEN HANDLES. VERY SHARP BLADE, BE CAREFUL! VERY GOOD CONDITION FOR ANTIQUE RAZOR WITH VERY FEW MINOR SCUFFS/DINGS. A NICE LOOKING STRAIGHT RAZOR TO COLLECT OR SHAVE. FREE SHIPPING IN USA WITH TRACER."

Welcome to SRP! Bransford & Co was a hardware wholesalers, Bengall is the manufacturer of the razor for Bransford. It is an antique.

Bengall are very good razor, obviously the seller had no idea about straight razor since this razor is not in good condition, some heavy hone wear is present, and very uneven.

A Bengall in good condition would look like this.
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Thank you. I noticed some honing services online, and I am hoping one of them might be able to make it useful. Do you think that is realistic?

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Originally Posted by thomasaaron

Thank you. I noticed some honing services online, and I am hoping one of them might be able to make it useful. Do you think that is realistic?

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No. I think the wear on this one has put it beyond useful application. It may shave, but in my opinion is not worth any sort of investment, in time or money.

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Originally Posted by Pithor

No. I think the wear on this one has put it beyond useful application. It may shave, but in my opinion is not worth any sort of investment, in time or money.

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I disagree I have an old blade with just as much wear on it.20 minutes on a Norton 4/8 is all that is needed.It may not be pretty but it has lots of shaves left in it!

It can probably be made to shave, but it is not going to shave like a bengall should - almost a third of the razor width is missing at the tip.
I would cut my losses on this razor instead of investing more, get another razor in good condition that hasn't seen this level of abuse - there is more than enough of them.

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Originally Posted by Pithor

No. I think the wear on this one has put it beyond useful application. It may shave, but in my opinion is not worth any sort of investment, in time or money.

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You know it's really not an economical way to shave. anyone who thinks that straight razor shaving will save them money is only kidding themselves. what is does is make shaving fun and interesting. It's what you can do with what you have. It's doing something that most men in the world don't. the vintage razors like the one shown its about the find the challenge of honing and the results the shave and then it's sharing it with all the guys here and other places. what it amounts to is just plan old fun and the friendships established here. now let me get my foot out my mouth and listen some more.

I Love those Bengall razors they shave beautifully. Whether you get to shave with yours or not it's still a nice thing to own. I need to get this one cleaned up a bit, though it shaves great.

All the best. Steve

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Originally Posted by rhensley

You know it's really not an economical way to shave. anyone who thinks that straight razor shaving will save them money is only kidding themselves.

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All you are showing is that you have not approached this from a minimalist stand.Yes it is cheaper!