Thread: Anyone ever heard of HMC Cutlery?

Hi all. I just passed up a razor I found at the local antiques shop. It's from HMC Cutlery, out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. As someone who lives in New Bedford, I can tell you that HMC doesn't ring a bell. The blade is stamped with HMC Cutlery and a whale (in fact,the razor itself was found in a scrimshaw booth, but the handle is definitely not whalebone).

It's slimmer than my Dovo, which is 5/8"...so I'm guessing maybe a 1/2"or 3/8" blade. The blade is clean and free of rust and grime, and the guy selling it must have recently oiled it. No pictures, unfortunately (since I don't own the razor).

I may buy it regardless because of the local collectability, but I was just wondering if anyone out there knew anything about the company before I try to restore it and use it on my face.

Thanks!
-AP

I'm pretty sure I've still got one of those, they are pretty good shavers once honed up. Couldn't tell you the first thing about the company though, unless there is something in the files about them here or over at Yahoo. If they don't want a mint for it it may be worth a shot.
John P.

I've honed one, and it was a nice razor. I know nothing about them beyond that, though.

Josh

[QUOTE=The Angry Piper;114975]As someone who lives in New Bedford/QUOTE]

Me too. I've come across HMC just recently myself. I believe it became Payne Cutlery on Nash Rd?

Maybe we can ask one of the Vet's here on the forums take a look at one and see if we can get some photo's submitted of it for the database?

I have this razor. Not sure if it is "the" razor the OP saw, but one exactly like it. I picked it up on the Bay last month. Paid Less than $30. It was very clean. I honed it up and have been shaving with it ever since. It is very light, not very wide (makes the Coupe d'maitre a little easier).

I really like it. I can probably get a pic of it for the database, just not tonight

H.M.C. Cutlery, New Bedford, Mass.,1916-1957.
The company was founded by Henry M.Christensen in 1889.
The company was sold in 1905. The name was shortened to H.M.C. in 1916. Went out of business in 1956-1957.

I've honed several H M Christensen razors. I think they all have a little whale logo at least on the tang. They were all very good shavers, so depending on its condition, it at least has good potential.

Here's what I found on it. If the tang is stamped with "Meyers" on it, it was made in Brocton, Mass. c. 1889-1916. New Bedford was after that. It was located at 1016 Purchase Street and I believe there was a factory store at 765 Purchase Street. The company was sold in 1957 to Oscar Ekholm and Carl O. Johnson. Info came from the New Bedford Public Library.
Did you end up buying that razor? I went by the antique place and the one I saw had been sold.