Thread: Razor identification

Hey guys just bought this razor at a flea market and need some help identifying it. It says it was mado for August Kern in St.Louis. On the other side though it says Monogram and there is a K next to it... Not really sure what it means. I have uploaded sone images down here so you guys can see. Any info would be appreciated!

Whatever it is, it appears to have been reshaped at the heal probably due to a chip or crack. What does the bottom look like at the transition of the tang to the blade?

Im pretty new to straights so im not very sure how to tell... Here are sone pics though

It looks to me that it was reshaped on the heel. On the positive it looks like you got some pretty ivory scales there.

Interesting razor and I can't wait to read what the smart guys come up with.

It appears that the scales may be Ivory?

And it looks like the heal might have been re-ground in the past (chip in the heel, personal preference of the user or I am all wrong)

Many retailers, Barber supply and Hardware wholesalers had razors made on contract with their own names and branding.
Hopefully one of the members will recognize the maker by the style.
And it looks like it could be make shave ready in short order....Good luck.

Smooth Shaving..

Yes the guy i bought it from said the scales are ivory so i have to admit you guys have a pretty good eye. Not really sure how the reshape would influence shaving but i like the shape !

August Kern was a barber's supply in St Louis. I read from 1920-1940. Any number of makers could have produced it, probably German. I agree the heel seems to have been reshaped. The scales seem of ivory, but not original, I think. The time frame and collarless bottom pin with collars at the top indicate an older rescale. Looks like shaver material! Hone it up!

Those scales could be ivory rather hard to tell from just a picture but the fact that there are no dark spots and the fact that they are thin is a good indication. The best way to tell is to take a red hot needle to an inconspicuous spot usually inside of the scales and see if it melts.

The heel won't make a difference unless it was a) overheated during the grind ruining the temper or b) removing the stabilizer causes too much flex in the blade.

Thanks for the info guys! Still wondering what that monogram symbol is though... Tried looking on google but didnt get any good results.