Thread: Fox Cutlery Str8???

A friend of mine brought me his grandfathers straight razor to see if I was interested in it. Am trying to make a positive id on it. I don't have a digital camera but will try to stop at friends house later today to get some pics to post. The str8 box it came in is worn and says Fox Cutlery ,Germany, Trade mark Fox. The razor itself has nothing stamped or engraved in it. The scales are black celluloid I think. Only a slight scuff mark in one side. The blade has no markings at all. It is a 9/16 hollow ground with a square tip. The pins are brass , blade is centered on scales and opens and closes nicely. No slop on pivot pin. He believes it to be authentic. So I am wondering if it was made before Solingen passed the law in 1938? Is that possibly why there is no markings? The blade does have a few spots of rust, couple of those will be pitted I am sure if I clean it up. Any way wanted to verify if is a fox straight and ideas on value. Thanks in advance for your help. Will try to get some pics up later.
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Del

Hey, Del-

I checked out my 'Standard Guide to Straight Razors', and it lists

Fox Cutlery - Germany (Koller & Schminitz )

taking it a step further, and looking for Koller et.al., there is no listing. However, there is a listing for

Koeller & Schminitz - Germany

so, it's probable that the first spelling (Koller) is a typo. Both listings show a base value of $10, and, given the black celluloid scales with no artwork and a plain blade, in 'collectible' condition ('has some flaws that do greatly detract from the shape, artwork or finish'), it indicates a valuation of $27.50. If the condition is upgraded to 'good' ('no visible or outstanding flaws that cannot be erased or repaired'), then the value would increase 50% to $42.

I don't pretend to be a pro or an appraiser - I'm just reading the numbers out of the book...i.e. - providing a place to start.

hope this helps, and if it doesn't...well....


-whatever

-Lou

Hey Del,


Jeez life is so unfair. I have been chasing one of those on ebay for a while and now one falls in your lap . I'm just kidding. I have no Idea what the value of the razor is, but it made in solingen (just checked the one I have). I bought mine on an emotional buy...big fan of Antonio Banderos. "Zorro" means fox...so fox razor.
I'm looking forward to what others have to say about this brand. Good shavers?

Thanks Lou, that does help. Only question remaining is that the tang of the blade has no stamp with name etc. Do you think they made some with no stamping on them? It does appear to be old and was used, can tell because of the hone wear. Hone wear is moderate. Because it has seen use years ago it must have been good steel. Could this have been made in Germany by Fox Cutlery with no stamping from the manufacturer?
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Del

Originally Posted by scarface

Hey, Del-

I checked out my 'Standard Guide to Straight Razors', and it lists

Fox Cutlery - Germany (Koller & Schminitz )

taking it a step further, and looking for Koller et.al., there is no listing. However, there is a listing for

Koeller & Schminitz - Germany

so, it's probable that the first spelling (Koller) is a typo.

More than likely the true spelling included an Umlaut- Köller. English spelling often handles that with an "oe," to make life easier for typesetters and English keyboards. None of this will have any effect on the shave, though. Just trying to get my post count up

The Fox Cutlery blades 've seen usually have a scampering fox somewhere on them. If memory serves, the image is on the tang. It's possible a stamp of that detail isn't as deeply imprinted as a simple company name would be, and so it's been worn down on your blade. Theory only, of course

Originally Posted by Sweeney Todd

More than likely the true spelling included an Umlaut- Köller. English spelling often handles that with an "oe," to make life easier for typesetters and English keyboards.

I think so too. Most of the Europeans that came to the US in the late 1800's had to change their names. So it is most likely Köller & Schmitz.. Not Koeller & Schiminitz.. I think Schiminitz is just a typo. I might be wrong.

Wow , that was a blast from the past . Back when I was a noob .

i have a dubl duck straight edge razor and got it from an auction. have no idea about it and i also have a fox cutlery and no nothing about them. or how much they are worth. any info is great. i also have a shaving box with mirror that flips out. all in pretty good condition. you could email me at texasmom1986@yahoo.com

Fox Cutlery Co.