Thread: Nazi Japanese 6/8 Straight

I've mentioned this before however the Old Federal Courthouse in Albuquerque has a courtroom which is ringed with swastikas. As a matter of fact right behind the judge's bench is a huge eagle holding a swastika in it's talons. Some folks find that courtroom too much to take.

In that case it's a native American Motif.

This has got me thinking... During the rise of the Nazis through the 30's, before Germany was completely taken over with war production, there must have been razors made with Swastikas and other insignia. There must have been numerous makers all churning out razors to keep the establishment happy. Some of them possibly had military contracts.

I wonder what happened to all of those?

After the war there was huge efforts to destroy anything with Nazi symbols on it. Given the decline in use of straight razors during this period and destruction of artefacts I would guess most were disposed of.

If it has been mentioned in this thread, I missed it.

My question is, if this razor was supposed to represent Germany and Japan's alliance in WWII, then why are the stamps in English?

Pretty sure it has been ascertained that the razor was not meant to represent anything nazi or imperial Japan.

It is a beautiful razor with some way cool markings and I would be proud to have such a blade in my stable.

Good catch, ENJOY!

During the war and really while Hitler was in power tons of stuff were made with his likeness on it. You could get a mickey mouse watch but instead of mickey it had adolph's face on it. They made dishes and razors and silverware and you name it and they made it.

Most of it was destroyed but quite a bit is in the hands of collectors.

Very nice find. I am leaning towards the non Nazi description.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Well in WWII, needless to say, Japan and the Third Reich were allies. Whether that razor would have come out of that period I don't pretend to know. Seems unlikely because of the English in the reverse tang stamping. A handsome piece but I wouldn't own anything with a swastika on it. YMMV.

Originally Posted by Wullie

If it has been mentioned in this thread, I missed it.

My question is, if this razor was supposed to represent Germany and Japan's alliance in WWII, then why are the stamps in English?

Got mentioned in post # 8. Not bragging, just pointing out that 'great minds think alike' !

Originally Posted by wayne394

This has got me thinking... During the rise of the Nazis through the 30's, before Germany was completely taken over with war production, there must have been razors made with Swastikas and other insignia. There must have been numerous makers all churning out razors to keep the establishment happy. Some of them possibly had military contracts.

I wonder what happened to all of those?

Old pro barber/razor collector friend of mine had a white celluloid scaled razor with Benito Mussolini's photo covered with glass, or clear celluloid, in a little oval on the mark side. I don't remember the brand or the country of origin. That was 35 years ago and the barber is long ago passed on.

I remember walking around Tokyo and some other cities in Japan back in the 70s and wondering why so many of the signs were in both Japanese and English and not in the touristy areas either.

Well, I've been intrigued by this thread and this razor. Maybe we'll never know where it was made for sure, or its history, but I can be certain of its future...

I bought it! And I paid much less than I expected. Result!

It'll have a special place in my collection. I'll even use it occasionally!

Well done Wayne. I'll post it on tomorrow, would you like me to freshen it up on the hone?

Steve