Thread: Found Family Razor

This past weekend we went to my uncle's for a visit. Somehow he managed to obtain all of the family antiques over the years. I had not been out there since I started straight razor shaving. While there I asked him about old razors. The attached belonged to my Great-Grandfather. It appears to be a regular Simmons Hardware. Does not have any of the Keen Kutter logos or Special No 8 indications. The case has his name one the inside. If the case was originally with this razor (and that is a big assumption) then he would have purchased this at Haw Hardware which was a store in Iowa. He lived in Iowa between 1917 - 1938. Most likely would have been the range this razor was made. I have no way to know if Haw Hardware sold Simmons brand at retail or not so these are my best guesses.
My uncle is tight with the family antiquities but since I am the only one in the family who knows how to use it I am trying to talk him into giving it to me. It definitely needs to be honed but otherwise looks like it could be cleaned up and made useable again.

You just have to assure your Uncle that you are as much a packrat as he is. Of course do add that you want to maintain family history by maintaining g-grandad's razor so it will not deteriorate and be lost to the family.

Not much hone wear and the rust looks light. It should clean up well. A razor with some family history has value that you just cant find on eBay. Send me a PM if you'd like help with restoration

That will clean up and shave nicely.
And what better way to maintain family history than to pass it down through the family.

My uncle decided to give me the razor. I sent it out to one of our resident vendors who restores razors. I was not about to attempt restoration on this myself. Just got it back today and I will be trying it out tonight or tomorrow. This won't be my daily shaver but it will be interesting to use occasionally.

Originally Posted by ericd

My uncle decided to give me the razor. I sent it out to one of our resident vendors who restores razors. I was not about to attempt restoration on this myself. Just got it back today and I will be trying it out tonight or tomorrow. This won't be my daily shaver but it will be interesting to use occasionally.

Excellent. You are fortunate to have a razor with family history attached. Keep it well documented for those that come next.

I just saw this thread. You have a treasure. Enjoy it and love the family history.

That looks like a great razor. My grandad used a safety razor, so I don't have any family heirloom razors.

If he used the DE safety razors, that is your heirloom right there. I have my father's and grandfather's DE safety razors. I cleaned them up when I got them this past summer. I put my grandfather's back but I have been using my dad's razor and it shaves beautifully.

If your grandfather was like my other (maternal) grandfather and used the plastic trash, I am sorry. Plastic is for modern car bumpers and credit cards.