Thread: What is this thing?

I ran across this curiosity while perusing google books and I wonder if you all are familiar with it. The Greaves razor under the 'S' has what looks like some sort of latch. I'm guessing it would be to hold the razor open at a certain angle but then it seems like it would be obtrusive while holding the razor. Or maybe it's to keep it closed? Heck if I know.

Interesting. I'm curious to hear the answer but I think you're on the right track with it being a feature to keep the razor open.

Perhaps for head shaving???
I've never seen anything like that and I hope someone knows.

Im looking at it and trying to figure out what the heck it is! Hold it open I guess but for what reason? Cool find though, I wonder if anyone has one of those...? Perhaps one with the holes in the scales and notches in the tang but the metal piece is gone? I can imagine theyd get in the way...

First time I've seen that. Maybe it's a Barbers aid?

I believe it must be a mechanism to hold the razor open in the shaving position but I agree with notitfortat that it would actually be obtrusive during use hence why we only see it on this one razor. Actually a Greaves with this mechanism showed up on Ebay last year and I saved some of the photos from the listing because it was so unique. This one must be an even earlier example as it is much more of the stubtail (actually no-tail) style and older looking, square-ish scales.

Originally Posted by goldragon

I believe it must be a mechanism to hold the razor open in the shaving position but I agree with notitfortat that it would actually be obtrusive during use hence why we only see it on this one razor. Actually a Greaves with this mechanism showed up on Ebay last year and I saved some of the photos from the listing because it was so unique. This one must be an even earlier example as it is much more of the stubtail (actually no-tail) style and older looking, square-ish scales.

Awesome! Thanks for posting those photos. Now we're one step closer to solving the mystery.

My guess is that the saw teeth are not origina and cut in a rather amateurist way. The reason is (and I stand to be corrected) that the three teeth are fanning out the wrong way. The gap between the two teeth nearest to the pivot pin is too shallow.

Maybe a custom, for a recalcitrant Yakusa

interesting find. always entertaining to read upon rare gems.