Thread: What is this thing?

I'll take the opposite side of the argument and guess the teeth are original. For one, the blade is marked patented, which was rare for razors of this era unless the maker (in this case Greaves) thought he had devised something really unique. Second, it appears the the lever fits into the teeth in such a way that it would "lock" the blade in an open position for shaving. Finally, the pin for the lever matches the pivot and heel pins, which seems to indicate that the lever is original -- and if the teeth weren't original, there wouldn't be any reason for the lever.

Although Kees' point about the teeth fanning the wrong way is well taken and something I hadn't noticed before. In the end, who knows?

More pictures that I saved from that auction:

I find it interesting that none of these pictures show it in the locked/engaged position. Especially if I was trying to sell one I would want to demonstrate how it works. Maybe they don't fit together?

Originally Posted by 32t

I find it interesting that none of these pictures show it in the locked/engaged position. Especially if I was trying to sell one I would want to demonstrate how it works. Maybe they don't fit together?

I bet you can chalk that up to a less than astute seller. Too many times I've seen listings for 'OLD RAZOR HONE IN WOODEN BOX' and there are 15 pictures of the box and only 2 of the stone, and listings with 20 pictures that are all out of focus. Just the other day I saw a listing for a razor and none of the pictures showed the toe of the blade. I messaged the seller and asked for pictures of the entire blade and still got sent pictures without the toe.

I too think the teeth are original. Crude perhaps, but original. I bet there weren't too many of them made and it was one of those 'It seemed like a good idea at the time' moments.

Originally Posted by notitfortat

I bet you can chalk that up to a less than astute seller. Too many times I've seen listings for 'OLD RAZOR HONE IN WOODEN BOX' and there are 15 pictures of the box and only 2 of the stone, and listings with 20 pictures that are all out of focus. Just the other day I saw a listing for a razor and none of the pictures showed the toe of the blade. I messaged the seller and asked for pictures of the entire blade and still got sent pictures without the toe.

I too think the teeth are original. Crude perhaps, but original. I bet there weren't too many of them made and it was one of those 'It seemed like a good idea at the time' moments.

notitfortat
I agree with you there. I've seen many with incomplete pics or just pics of one side of the razor. Some will show just part of the blade to hide something they don't want the buyer to see also. Some are inexperienced sellers & looking at their feedback will tell you something.
I think the teeth or slots are original. I have several old Greaves razor's but I haven't found one yet that says "patented" on it which is something Hanlon pointed out in post 11.

Possibly to hold the razor open for stropping?

"Possibly to hold the razor open for stropping? "

Now that would make sense with the direction on the slots and pawl.

Why do I have a feeling that my OCD will get the better of me and I'm going to end up looking up the patent...

They would set some pretty strange angles between scales and blade for stropping.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

"Possibly to hold the razor open for stropping? "

Now that would make sense with the direction on the slots and pawl.

Why do I have a feeling that my OCD will get the better of me and I'm going to end up looking up the patent...

Do it Cris. It would be very interesting to find out if you can find it.

So much for getting help to cure my razor addiction from this group....

I'm off to go search through patents

Anybody from London reading this thread?
I couldn't find the patent online, but the parchment copy is on file in London at St. Pancras Library.
I'll contact the Library on Monday and see if they can send me the text of patents in 1799 and 1836.
I need to get a life...