Results 1 to 9 of 9
Like Tree26Likes
  • 9 Post By ericd
  • 5 Post By Razorfeld
  • 11 Post By ericd
  • 1 Post By tom475

Thread: Found Family Razor

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Posts
    86
    Thanked: 37

    Default 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.
    Attached Images Attached Images    

  2. #2
    Moderator Razorfeld's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Forest Grove, Oregon
    Posts
    5,152
    Thanked: 1226

    Default

    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.
    Geezer, Wullie, RezDog and 2 others like this.
    "The sharpening stones from time to time provide officers with gasoline."

  3. #3
    Senior Member BeJay's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Communist State of California
    Posts
    1,461
    Thanked: 463

    Default

    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

  4. #4
    Senior Member criswilson10's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Easley, SC, USA
    Posts
    1,861
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    That will clean up and shave nicely.
    And what better way to maintain family history than to pass it down through the family.
    Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead - Charles Bukowski

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Posts
    86
    Thanked: 37

    Default

    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.
    Name:  IMG_3025.jpg
Views: 231
Size:  46.5 KB

  6. #6
    Moderator Razorfeld's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Forest Grove, Oregon
    Posts
    5,152
    Thanked: 1226

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ericd View Post
    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.
    Name:  IMG_3025.jpg
Views: 231
Size:  46.5 KB
    Excellent. You are fortunate to have a razor with family history attached. Keep it well documented for those that come next.
    "The sharpening stones from time to time provide officers with gasoline."

  7. #7
    Senior Member tom475's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    KC Metro
    Posts
    142
    Thanked: 16

    Default

    I just saw this thread. You have a treasure. Enjoy it and love the family history.
    Life's wisdoms: Cigars: Never trust air you can't see; sharp objects are never sharp enough; find what you love in life and give it everything you can!!

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    207
    Thanked: 24

    Default

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

  9. #9
    Senior Member tom475's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    KC Metro
    Posts
    142
    Thanked: 16

    Default

    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.
    SRNewb likes this.
    Life's wisdoms: Cigars: Never trust air you can't see; sharp objects are never sharp enough; find what you love in life and give it everything you can!!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •