There & Back Again- Hartford Cutlery Co.

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So I live in a suburb of Hartford, Connecticut. Lately I've been really getting into razors especially manufactured in Conn., but more generally New England. Here is a Hartford Cutlery Company razor just shy of 6/8. I honed it up last night and it gave a great shave this morning.

Information is scarce on this company, I have searched the forum. Anyone know what years they were in business or other information?

I bought this off ebay and it came from Las Vegas. So it started in Hartford, who knows where its travels took it the last 100? years, and now it's come home, there and back again.

Hello to a fellow CT person!!! I have 3 Hartford Cutlerys (2 like yours, but more wear), 2 Challenge Razors and 1 Landers, Frary and Clark...I see I will have someone else to outbid on Ebay for the CT razors!! LOL.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ht-razors.html
• View topic - Hartford Cutlery

In Connecticut also check out, AMERICAN KNIFE CO. Plymouth Hollow, Waterville cutlery co, The Holley Manufacturing Company of Lakeville, these are fine Connecticut Razor companies, that i know of and used personally.

Don't forget my favorite...the Challenge Cutlery Co., Bridgeport, Conn. 1867-1928

The firm traces it's origins back to Sheffield, England. The B.J. Eyre Company of Sheffield used the trademark "Challenge" in 1867. In 1877, the Fredrick Wiebusch Company of New York City purchased the Eyre firm and with it the trademark. In 1889 Walter M. Taussig opened the Challenge Razor Works in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as a subsidiary of F. Wiebusch & Company. The company eventually became the Challenge Cutlery Co. in 1899

I am currently restoring a beautiful bellied hollow ground 13/16 Sq. Pt. 'Challenge', and it is really a wonderful shaver. Great steel!

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Show off !!! :p

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

Show off !!! :p

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I can't help myself! :rofl2::rofl2::rofl2:

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Originally Posted by taz575

Hello to a fellow CT person!!! I have 3 Hartford Cutlerys (2 like yours, but more wear), 2 Challenge Razors and 1 Landers, Frary and Clark...I see I will have someone else to outbid on Ebay for the CT razors!! LOL.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ht-razors.html
• View topic - Hartford Cutlery

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Oops, look like I may have created a run on CT razors on ebay and prices will increase accordingly.

Also, I am sending script to your computer blocking you from ebay! ;)

Ok folks, this is getting more and more curious. The Hartford Cutlery Co. was in Tariffville from 1880-1886. The old factory has been converted to retail/office/restaurant/hair salon space. I know this because I've been to the factory numerous times. I own a house/office cleaning service and one of my clients has office space in the old factory. Pretty weird coincidence.

You guys here on SRP have been great to me, helping me out, encouraging me, etc. etc. etc. So I am going to offer a FREE SERVICE! If you mail me your Hartford Cutlery Co. razor I'll take it over to the factory and photograph your razor at the factory. I will also send back a little bit of rubble from the factory (it's old brick and brownstone) with a letter of authenticity. I would only ask you pay return shipping. You can then mount all this in a shadow box and it will be a cool little collectible. Your razor will be entered into the Hartford Cutlery Co. Registry which will be recorded in book form in the US Copyright office. Ok, the registry is just a spoof on the "name a star" registry you may have heard of. We'll see if there is any interest...

Here's an interesting link with photos of the factory: The Size of Connecticut: Tariffville

Conn was the early home for makers who emigrated here. Holly comes to mind. Owned by the governor!

Beardsley and Alvord 'Empire' comes to mind!

American Knife Co!

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Turner and Colishaw. Made many older Torrey razors from Conn. Mr. Turner soon went to Mass to run Torrey

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

American Knife Co!

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Wow the bottom one is especially cool.

Ok...my show-off days are done Hirlau. I just can't compete with Sharptonn...

Nice razors Tom... :tu

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Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Ok...my show-off days are done Hirlau. I just can't compete with Sharptonn...

Nice razors Tom... :tu

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Oh come on, Mike! Don't be like that! :D

Love the lines of this razor! I recently restored a Challenge cutlery razor for a friend, it was an heirloom piece from his great-grandfather. Wonderful job Wolf!

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Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Don't forget my favorite...the Challenge Cutlery Co., Bridgeport, Conn. 1867-1928

The firm traces it's origins back to Sheffield, England. The B.J. Eyre Company of Sheffield used the trademark "Challenge" in 1867. In 1877, the Fredrick Wiebusch Company of New York City purchased the Eyre firm and with it the trademark. In 1889 Walter M. Taussig opened the Challenge Razor Works in Bridgeport, Connecticut, as a subsidiary of F. Wiebusch & Company. The company eventually became the Challenge Cutlery Co. in 1899

I am currently restoring a beautiful bellied hollow ground 13/16 Sq. Pt. 'Challenge', and it is really a wonderful shaver. Great steel!

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Originally Posted by Wolfpack34

Ok...my show-off days are done Hirlau. I just can't compete with Sharptonn...

Nice razors Tom... :tu

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I know what you mean Wolfpack,,,,:shrug: You did noticed that Tom polished those razors up,, so expect to see those exact same photos in the "Restoration" section later tonight,,:rolleyes:

,,,Show & Tell section in the morning,,:w

,,, Shave of the Day section Friday morning ,,,:w

Um...Sorry to disappoint, John, but all are unrestored except the Empire and I posted it a long time ago. All have been on SOTD with exception of the AKC with the shield. I sent it to Martin! ;)

Seems you have one as well?? :roflmao

Tom I picture you having a climate controlled "razor cellar" like some rich folks have wine cellars, but with racks of razors sorted by area of origin and year....just like wine, but more useful!

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Tom I picture you having a climate controlled "razor cellar" like some rich folks have wine cellars, but with racks of razors sorted by area of origin and year....just like wine, but more useful!

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Well, Yes, Harold. Er...Sometimes I take beautiful people down to see. ;)


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:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow

Note: In the chance you are invited down, you have to wear the gloves. Required! :D

Just arrived! Holley Mfg. Co. Lakeville CT. Some Maas should clean it up nicely, a good honing and then on to a shave!
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