New J.R. Torrey

The tang states "The J.R. Torrey Razor Co. Worcester, Mass."

This is a new one to me...virtually no hone wear at all and no rust whatsoever. Pretty darn close to NOS and the price was more than reasonable, if not low. To be honest, I liked this one mostly for the Barber's Notch, as it just sets it apart from the square points so common from what I assume it's era is ('20s-'50s). Either way it took a super edge and I am sure it will shave wonderfully! 5/8, and I am thinking approx. 1/2 hollow.
Attachment 213305
Attachment 213308

That's very nice, good ol merican steel

They were around for a while, a good shot of the tang stamp may help someone give you some sort of a timeline.

I love my Torrey. Great looking blade...happy shaving.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RezDog

They were around for a while, a good shot of the tang stamp may help someone give you some sort of a timeline.

---

Here you go!
Attachment 213322

They operated from 1858 to 1963. During that time there were several different marks. I think the earliest was the buggy whip, followed by other renditions of the company name. One was the Torrey Razor and Strop Company and JR Torrey, they also used US with an arrow through it. I do not know the order. I do know that the later models were very lightly marked and the marks come off very easy. Yours will be an earlier mark but I have no idea how much earlier. They are fantastic razors.

Got her all touched up and she shaved very nicely! Nice and tight and centered in the scales and she took a fantastic edge! Looks to me that the finish is original and as far as I can tell it hasn't been polished or ground beyond anything purely aesthetic. The tail still has a slightly more textured finish than the blade. Really nice workmanship on the blade. I'm a fan!

Now just make sure you know the proper pronunciation for Worcester!

Going to college in Massachusetts was a linguistic eye opener!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Utopian

Now just make sure you know the proper pronunciation for Worcester!

Going to college in Massachusetts was a linguistic eye opener!

---

My fiancé is from Boston. Wooooostah!

Looks like a wedge to me.

I think you're right about the vintage - 20s-50s. The whip and the arrow marks coexisted around the turn of the century. There's a lot of advertising around to reference. My oldest is marked JR Torrey Manuf of Razors and Strops. My newest is marked The Torrey Razor Co and I'm not sure if those markings are newer or older than yours. Anyhow, great find!