Anybody know anything about this straight razor?

Hello, I'm new to this site and the forums here,


I have just received a straight razor from my father, that was apparently my great grandfather's razor.

After numerous google searches, I was unable to find much information about it.

It is a Carrara No. 878.

There is some information on the 877's and the 879's, but virtually nothing on the 878.

If anyone had some knowledge of this type of razor it would be helpful.

Pictures (hopefully) attatched.Attachment 179185Attachment 179186Attachment 179187

Also being in Jasper Alberta, was wondering if there was a reliable place in Edmonton or something to get it professionally honed. It seems sharp, but it felt a little bit tuggy on my face when I gave a couple test swipes.

Welcome to SRP. Very cool to have an heirloom razor handed down from generation to generation. I don't know of anyone in your neck of the woods who does honing, but there may be someone along in this thread who does. In the meanwhile if you check out the SRP classifieds 'member services' there will at least be a competent member you can send it to. Also check out our beginner's guide if you haven't already. :gl:

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Straight Razor Place Library:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Library

Thank you very much for your reply, sir! By chance, would you have any recommendations for a set of honing stones, and a strop, and if necessary, a treatment or chromium oxide for the strop? As I understand they can be quite expensive, and I have no idea if there are cheaper options out there.

Nice razor! I would highly recommend you send it to get professionally honed. If you want to learn how to hone I would get a razor with less importance. If you want a recommendation on someone to hone PM me and I will tell you who I swear by.

Welcome to SRP!
I don't know a whole lot about them, Carrara was a brand made by Osborne, somebody, and somebody out of Sheffield, England.
I'm sure someone with more info will be along. My gut feeling says it is a good razor that will hone up nicely.

If you are just starting out, then a professional honing is highly recommended so you will know what sharp and smooth is. It is hard to hone it yourself when you don't know what level of sharpness to go to.

Hones can be expensive and if you don't know how to hone a razor, then the damage that you do can be even more expensive. If it is just tugging than a CrOx treated strop will probably freshen up the blade cheaply. That's about $5 for a smooth piece of leather and another $5 for a CrOx crayon to cover the leather with. Then about 10 strops on that leather.
If you want to go with the hones, start with a Naniwa 12k, then step down to a Norton 4k/8k combo stone.

Well! Thank you all very much for the replies and PM's. Its a little overwhelming all the stuff you have to know to properly care for and use a straight razor, but the help around here is making it seem less daunting. So I think I'm going to try to strop it first, with the CrOx. Now when I coat the leather strop in CrOx, will I still be able to use it for regular stropping, or should I buy 2? Haha. And yes, I'm aware that I'm asking the most rookie questions ever.

So howd it shave? If i found pops razor in the attic id try it out...thats just my nature. BTW I use my pops shave mug...thats what got me started..

I think I remember reading that the brand is the same as Kropp, but can't 100% trust my memory. Wouldn't have a clue about the number sorry.

Hi and welcome. There are quite a few Canadian guys here and I know a few of them reccomend the classic edge for honing and supplies as well as restoration work. Try going into community at the top and doing a advanced search for people in your area. Might find someone local to help. You can't use a pasted strop for every day use. A cheap alternative is to flatten and use balsa wood for a strop that way you only need to buy one strop. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.

That is a nice blade, but I think it has a bit of a frown. Should hone out however.
Attachment 179260

Welcome to SRP, Nice looking razor, made by a very reputable maker, Osborne, Garrett & Co London. The number on your razor 878 denotes its size, in your case the 878 is a 3/4 razor while the 877 and 876 where smaller blade 5/8, 1/2. Get it honed properly and use it, Enjoy!
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