Thread: Italian Razor?

I need help identifying a razor. Things point to it being an Italian blade but not sure. Tang says: Caudano Torino. Nothing to indicate country on other side of tang.

Blade is etched: Nizza 1807 at one end and Caprera 1882. Photo shows the full etching. I hope it is clear enough but sort of in some order: Va Fuori D'Italia on one side. Va Fuori Strainier on the other side. Etching of some man in the middle and on each side of him Eroe Dei and Due Mondi. Any information would be appreciated. I've done a few searches for the various words and find nothing about this blade. She hones up nice. Hope to shave with her soon.

So I've found out a bit on my own by breaking down what is written on the etching. This apparently was a razor issued to honor Giuseppe Garibaldi, who is considered a great military and political hero in Italian history. The etching Nizza 1807 and Caprera 1882 are his birth and death dates and places. The etching Eroe Dei Due Mondi means "Hero of our Times." The etching includes the head of a man who bears a resemblance to Giuseppe Garibaldi from what I have seen on the internet and in Wikipedia. The other words seems to indicate foreign invasions, so I suspect this blade is in honor of his fights against foreign invaders of Italy.

All that said, I still have no idea about the origin of this razor. But I think it is a great find.

Can't help with the origin either but it sure is an interesting blade.

Bob

It was made in Turin ('Torino') by C. Caudano (a barber supplies company amongst other articles) or possibly G. Caudano (knife, etc, maker), the firm dates from the mid 1850s I think and is reputed to have used fine Austrian Bohler steel. They were located at Piazza Carlo Felice

Regards,
Neil

Thanks for the help. I understand where made and possibly by whom. My own research was using the words etched on the blade and getting Google translations where I could. That, however, tells me nothing about why and when this blade was made. It looks like a commemorative razor in honor of Giuseppe Garibaldi. But that I figured out looking at small clues that had nothing to do with the razor. Any help? What do I have here?

I've been honing her and will do a shave soon. I don't think this is one to cast aside.

Caudano is one of the many "razor maker" existed in Italy at the beginning of the past century. They did not cast blades themselves, they simply bought blade blanks from German producers (like Puma, Ambossmann and others) and then sold them with their branding.
Buying blade blanks was pretty common in Italy and in other European countries by many barber supplies companies and Caudano was one of them, based in Turin.
By reading the inscriptions of the blade, it is very clear it was made during the fascism era. The face in the center of the blade is Giuseppe Garibaldi and surrounding it, you can read "eroe dei due mondi" (hero of two worlds, because of his military activity in Europe and South America). At the edges of the blade are etched the places and dates of his birth and death. Near them you can see the typical "fascio" (meaning "bundle" or "sheaf") the emblem of fascism and always used at those times to virtually mark everything.
On the left you can read "va fuori d'Italia" - (you stranger) get out from Italy - and "va fuori stranier" - stranger go away - typical slogans of the fascist time praising for nationalism. It certainly is a commemorative razor in honor of Giuseppe Garibaldi but, more clearly, a praise for fascism and nationalism, absolutely common and encouraged at those times. Giuseppe Garibaldi is the one who united Italy in 1860 and during the fascist era he was considered a hero because of this. Giuseppe Garibaldi is still today considered one of Italy's fathers of the fatherland.

Fascists ruled Italy from 1922 to 2nd WW.
In 1932 Garibaldi was celebrated for his 50th death anniversary and that razor was probably made that year, let's say between 1931 and 1933.

Always impressed with the Global Knowledge base of our community...

That is some great information, razor guy and Sterm. I wonder how many of these blades (the commemorative) were made? But I'm sure that is something that won't be found. I will say that it is nice to hold a piece of history or of a historical time.

I will hone this blade and use it.

Originally Posted by RustySterling

Thanks for the help. I understand where made and possibly by whom. My own research was using the words etched on the blade and getting Google translations where I could. That, however, tells me nothing about why and when this blade was made. It looks like a commemorative razor in honor of Giuseppe Garibaldi. But that I figured out looking at small clues that had nothing to do with the razor. Any help? What do I have here?

I've been honing her and will do a shave soon. I don't think this is one to cast aside.

Why and when???

Isn't that patently obvious?

It was made for fascists by promoters of fascism during that particular fascists lifetime.
Sheesh.

Regards,
Nei,.