Thread: Help with Joseph Rodgers razor

Well judging by the grind i am going to say it is a newer model razor, it also has the England stamp, putting it post 1891. Probably not a lot past it though so we can make a guess at early 1900's perhaps as late as 1930. I am not an expert but like to toss out a guess and my rational every now and then and see how it compares to what guys that really know have to say.

Welcome to SRP. I have a theory that Rodgers razors with the semi circle 'Made In England' on the end of the text is right after the treaty of 1891. That is why the semi circle addition. They were able to use blades that already had the pre 1891 stamping on them and comply with the new ruling. I could be wrong though ...... I was wrong once before.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. I have a theory that Rodgers razors with the semi circle 'Made In England' on the end of the text is right after the treaty of 1891. That is why the semi circle addition. They were able to use blades that already had the pre 1891 stamping on them and comply with the new ruling. I could be wrong though ...... I was wrong once before.

Interesting theory and completely feasible! Again, I know the age isn't important but I can't help but imagine how it came to be, who held it, why they put it down, and how/why it began it's journey across the Atlantic. Thank you, gentlemen, for your input. Wet shavers, I believe, are a tight knit community and your fast replies have further reinforced that.

Curious myself. I found some good reading in the library here, some clue I thought was "thief majesties" vs others that have "his majesty"

You guys may have seen this before but I thought it was interesting. I have narrowed its year of production to somewhere between 1891-1901 according to this information. Here is a clarification on Cutlers to their majesties vs Cutlers to HIS majesty:
"Cutlers to their majesties" 1840 - 1861 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Until the Prince's death in 1861
"Cutlers to their majesties" 1861- 1901 (22 January 1901) Queen Victoria The old queen never removing Albert's name from their reign
"Cutlers to HIS majesty "1901 - 1910 (22 January 1901 to 6 May 1910) King Edward VII King Edward VII took over the Queen reign
"Cutlers to HIS majesty "1910 - 1936 (6 May 1910 to 20 January 1936) King George V This is less likely but this would be when King George V took over from King Edward VII

So it looks like his blade was made between 1861 to 1901, its in very good to excellent condition at that age.

With it having "England" stamped on the tang I believe it to be post-1891. Even so, the quality is outstanding.

it's a lately production (IMAO), i would say early in 20 century, or end of the 19 century.

Originally Posted by RezDog

Well judging by the grind i am going to say it is a newer model razor, it also has the England stamp, putting it post 1891. Probably not a lot past it though so we can make a guess at early 1900's perhaps as late as 1930. I am not an expert but like to toss out a guess and my rational every now and then and see how it compares to what guys that really know have to say.

I am with Rez. The modern, round-point, thin blade, along with 3-pin scales indicates early 1900's as English makers were in fierce competition with Germany and indeed, by this time, American makers. I could also say that the scales look of hard-rubber or Bakelite composition.

Make no mistake, this example seems to be in wonderful condition and should shave most excellent.

A quote from a knife forum seems to explain this;

"The point about the RODGERS CUTLERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES mark is that it is vague, it refers to nobody in particular (in that it mentions no names). The stamp for me will always stand for cutlers to the current monarch and any other previous majesties which is why I do not believe it to be useful in dating a knife."

It is a good subject for arguments, but in this case, I think it refers to Edward VII and HIS queen.
Since Rodgers was cutlers to many 'majesties' previously, it could well be in reference to all of them. It is simply advertising....