Thread: 17th century straight razors - artistic depictions

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

Maybe you can find something useful in the section on De Scheermessemaker? Link here, pg. 235: https://books.google.com/books?id=Zc...emaker&f=false

That is a very tedious story about razor makers and calliper makers. It does not tell you how they made razors at the time.

Here are some more. First one, from a series Bücher und Schriften, of a man holding a "Schermesser" (a shaving razor), from versions from 1591 and 1603. The accompanying text is unambiguous in stating that this is a razor for removing hair:





Next, from a 1620 plaque from the Rochusfriedhof (cemetery) in Nürnberg, Germany:





One from one similar from the same place, from 1684:





And finally, a surviving piece from the Germanisches National Museum, dated 1572:



Germanischen Nationalmuseum Nürnberg | Objektkatalog

Seems to be what contemporary Chinese are emulating.
Enlightening and entertaining, Michael!
Thank You!

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

And finally, a surviving piece from the Germanisches National Museum, dated 1572:



Germanischen Nationalmuseum Nürnberg | Objektkatalog

Proof that tails are not a modern thing.

Originally Posted by 32t

Proof that tails are not a modern thing.

Neither are curved scales!

I think it is interesting how far the pivot pin is set into the scales.

Originally Posted by 32t

Proof that tails are not a modern thing.

Take a closer look at the tail. Its been brazed onto the razor. might have been done at any time, no?

Originally Posted by Magpie

Take a closer look at the tail. Its been brazed onto the razor. might have been done at any time, no?

There are enough examples that I think it was just a stylistic thing that occurred sometimes.

12-15th century, Museum of London:



Late 1600s:



Razors from the mid-1600s from the Kunstschränke (art cabinets):





1545 (though the last one was more toward general cutting than specifically shaving):



Woodall, 1619 (razor is #3):

Originally Posted by 32t

I think it is interesting how far the pivot pin is set into the scales.

This is a common feature on a lot of the depictions of the older ones.

Originally Posted by Magpie

Take a closer look at the tail. Its been brazed onto the razor. might have been done at any time, no?

Good observation but as ScienceGuy just posted is it brass dipped or???

If I knew I would give an answer.

Has anyone seen these in person?