Everyone . here's my findings Attachment 204247
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Everyone . here's my findings Attachment 204247
It's very possible. It makes sense. But unless the knowledge has been passed on or documented by dating. It's hard to say for sure.
But I'm good with your findings. As they say, "If it walks likes duck, and talks like a duck......".
Info was taken straight from a old barbers hand book
Sounds reasonable enough.
Bob
Hi Outback,
I am sorry, but I do not think that this is the answer. No offense meant - it is the writer of the manual that is at fault, not you. Remember, barbers manuals are written by barbers, not by razor makers.
The original term was "Sheffield notch" followed by "hollow point or tip" followed by "barbers notch" - its not only barbers who make things up to show off their vast knowledge - people in all walks of life trying to sell something do so.
Personally, I think it was just a style - think of some of the hideous monstrosities offered as semi-customs today, where form is not dictated by function - what will people make of them in a century or two? There will be no use in looking up old manuals, sales literature, etc for the reason - because there isn't one.
Here are some more notches, some rarely seen, but no doubt someone, somewhere, wil think he knows the reason behind them:
Attachment 204253
Regards,
Neil
Interesting. Kinda' makes sense but I wonder why some of it is written in past tense, and there's also reference to " later years"? It just doesn't seem old to me. :shrug:
It was a writeup on the pictures by someone else.
But it does make sense
What is it called? Who is the author? It doesn't make much sense to me, to be honest.
Regards,
Neil
Not sure. This was given to me by a friend who has been a barber since thr 60s. Heres what i have. Its one pageAttachment 204268
Well I connot read any of that:(I still think the knotch was used as a quide against a mandril to keep the blade stationary when the use use of power hammers came onto the scene.
My apologies guys. This info was not from a hand book.
I got confused from the posting that I put in honing so again Sorry but I'm not sure where this information came from but it was given to me by my buddy
The notch is so you can stick the end of the razor in your nose just far enough to get the hard to reach areas under your nose. Again, your mileage may vary. :tameshigiri:
Yep must be that time of year where we all rehash the supposed uses of the Barber's Notch which isn't even actually called a Barber's Notch nor has any reason for it ever been proved...
I really love the old one about one armed Civil War Vets :p
And Go !!!
I don't know about one armed Civil War Vets I'm a one armed trumpeter and I love the barbers notch, I think they look cool.
If you trim your stach above the lip it makes perfect sense.
By starting at the middle of the lip and shave towards the corner of the mouth. The longer hair above the razors edge will be directed thru the notch. Behind the spine is where you see your shave line. Then you can see if your cutting evenly from the lip.
That's how it was explained to me
Fun!
A while ago I was watching the making of a razor video. To finish a belly less extra hollow ground blade the gentle man had a handled jig which allowed him to control the blade below while he passed it up and down between the wheels to make the smooth thin blade. I wondered at the time how he located the toe of the razor accurately...and, I still do. Notch??
~Richard
Interesting! I personally like the part about the square point catching ears and noses!!
I have heard the one arm thing before, the same story is pushed for one hand opening traditional knives like this one:
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4...ps68gpuce2.jpg
Here ya go, it's a lot easier on my neck. I hate sideways pics................
Attachment 204315
It doesn't make much sense to me either.
Heres my best guess and 2¢.
It was for balancing the blade. Thats one ideal spot to remove metal if the blade is too heavy for the scales. :-)
Hows that?
With the purpose of a barbers notch not being immediately blazingly obvious and the real answer seemingly lost in the mists of time, I'll just accept it as a cool looking feature on a heavy wedge.
Bob
I don't choose a certain "point" for it's function, if any. I choose it for the aesthetic's of the particular razor. :)
I have read this in the past, that it was for working around the mustache. Another theory was to mark around moles or warts on a persons face. I also read as Mike pointed out that it was for balance. I have also read somewhere it was for working around the sideburns but the mustache one is the one that really makes sense. It may have been a more useful modification for all of the above. We may never know the real reason though unless someone can find it in writing in an old document!
I found this old post by JimmyHAD which is very interesting:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ers-notch.html
It is an old thread but I find it very informative.
This info was from the Akron/Summit county public library.
By the american premium guide to knives&razors Attachment 204425
Hmmm - that book was published in 1999 by Jim Sargent. That makes it just his opinion, not a fact. Now, if it was publishe in 1899 or earlier... :}
Regards,
Neil
Yep Neil, I agree. Out of all my references I have 2 books by Jim Sargent called Knives & Razors, 2 different editions & they are my least go to books for information. I rely on my Tweedales & my Goins Encyclopedia first, The Razor Anthology, Straight Razor Collecting, by Robert A. Doyle & 3 editions of the Standard Guide To Straight Razors by Roy Ritchie & Ron Stewart. I could use more but one day I will get some others. I also have info printed out by Henry T. Lummus.
Well cant blame a guy for trying to help with an ongoing question [emoji25]
Have you got this one.
Mighty cool stuff and infoAttachment 204437Attachment 204438Attachment 204439
As interesting as would be to know the original maker's intention, I just think they look cool.:rock:
Any theories I had about its' origin would be a would no more than a guess.
If I get a chance to talk to Jim Sargent again, I'll may ask him about his info on the barber's notch. I'm not sure how much of a SR aficionado he is, but if you are interested in W.R. CASE or other antique pocket knives he is EXTREMELY knowledgeable.
They made 'em that way to give future generations hours of entertaining speculation about the real purpose.
They're still laughing.
[QUOTE=engine46;1510968]Heres a couple articles from the book i found interesting.Attachment 204444Attachment 204445
Sorry phone keeps turning pictures when i send them and dont know why. I've even tried turning them before i send. Damn irritating
Here ya go Mike...............
That guy could shave!!!!!!
Thanks again Steve I appreciate it