Thread: Have you ever seen a razor like this?!?

I picked this up a few weeks ago. It has no name on the tang unless "magneto steel" IS the manufacturer (it is not magnetic). A quick search produced nothing. It is NOS or very close. Doesn't look like it's ever been honed before and it came in a box (coffin) that was from novelty cutl. But the box looks pretty old so I don't think it's a match to the razor.

Does anybody here here know anything about this razor?
(sorry they are all upside down)

Yes, they were a good razor brand..In the twenties, Radium and Magnetic were buzz words. The bolsters on those scales show that it wasn't the bottom of the line by any means.
You got good shaving razor if it is professionally honed, the edge may last a year with careful stropping.
Hone it and enjoy it.
~Richard

That's better ....Fantastic condition, congratulations !!

I would guess it's an American razor. I read an article about how the steel and particularly magnetos stopped being imported when the war started. American steel manufacturers did come up with a steel that was said to be equal to if not better than that of German magnetos. Maybe the fact that it was made of this material was more important than the manufacturer or perhaps the blanks were made by the steel company. The same article talked about how Disston made a razor out of a 19 gauge band saw blade. Seems like during this period of time Pride in American steel was growing. Wow you sent me off road into the world of reading here :<0)

Originally Posted by Geezer

Yes, they were a good razor brand..In the twenties, Radium and Magnetic were buzz words. The bolsters on those scales show that it wasn't the bottom of the line by any means.
You got good shaving razor if it is professionally honed, the edge may last a year with careful stropping.
Hone it and enjoy it.
~Richard

Thanks Richard. So....Magneto Steel is the name of the company that made this? Or do you know which company did?

Originally Posted by 10Pups

I would guess it's an American razor. I read an article about how the steel and particularly magnetos stopped being imported when the war started. American steel manufacturers did come up with a steel that was said to be equal to if not better than that of German magnetos. Maybe the fact that it was made of this material was more important than the manufacturer or perhaps the blanks were made by the steel company. The same article talked about how Disston made a razor out of a 19 gauge band saw blade. Seems like during this period of time Pride in American steel was growing. Wow you sent me off road into the world of reading here :<0)

Thanks for weighing in 10pups. Anyone else have any information? Was it common to have a straight with no manufacturer stamp or country of origin? Or was it a few companies that did this? Still trying to get some info and possibly a time frame for this razor.

Ok. I found this Winchester Straight razor on ebay and the "Bolsters" are identical to the ones on mine. Is this a match. Possibly? Please take a look and tell me what you think.


Antique Winchester Bone and Silver Straight Razor 8532 | eBay

Originally Posted by Steel

Ok. I found this Winchester Straight razor on ebay and the "Bolsters" are identical to the ones on mine. Is this a match. Possibly? Please take a look and tell me what you think.


Antique Winchester Bone and Silver Straight Razor 8532 | eBay

not a match. ive had identical magneto steel blades, different scales. ive had a few other American made razors with nearly identical scales and bolsters as well as ones with the same bolstera, different scale materials. there are many examples of different companies using the same source for handles and of companies acquiring handles from other manufacturers.
I cant weigh in on the origin of these blades, perhaps one of the experts might have a better clue which companies used this as a trademark?

heres one,
HUGO MELCHIOR SUPPLY CO.
Omaha, Nebraska with main offices in Chicago, Illinois
ca. 1887 - 1939

Originally Posted by silverloaf

heres one,
HUGO MELCHIOR SUPPLY CO.
Omaha, Nebraska with main offices in Chicago, Illinois
ca. 1887 - 1939

I googled the company but couldn't find anything about magneto steel except for a thread here but no pictures. Do you have any pics? That might help or lead to something.