Thread: Gifts

My brother is usually good for some shaving related gift for the holidays. This year he surprised me with some flea market finds. I got excited even though his gifts are going to end up costing me.

First up is a razor stamped Ontario Cutlery Co. Geneva, N.Y. on one side and Easy Cutter on the other side of the tang. The box it came in says Genco and what I believe is Geneva Cutlery Corp. Geneva, N.Y. USA. The razor just seems wrong. Metal sounds wrong when struck with a finger nail; light and hollow like. The stamping looks cheap. This razor doesn't feel right to me:







Second up is a WM Elliot. The scales are nice looking and look original but seem warped; not sure if salvageable. Seems like decent wear and hopefully restore-able:






And my favorite, my first Wade and Butcher. The scales are falling apart but not original and don't even fit. It will be great to have this restored.






Thanks for looking.
Paul

Wow that is a nice haul of razors ! I know just recently there was a WM Elliot just like yours on the bay same scales I mean. I would think you can save those you have. Love the W&B, those are my favorites. Congrats on some sweet gifts

You did good.!!! He picked you some good ones.
If I'm right, Geneva cutlery came before Genco. You got a good razor there, you'll see once you get it shaving again.
Case, Geneva, Genco, and Torrey Razors, are some of the best, made in USA.

More than likely, that is not the box for the Ontario razor. As far as I can recall they were not the same as Geneva/genco although they were located in Geneva. I have had a few and I think I might still have one (Indian head) and they have all been excellent shavers. Congrats on the gifts. Very thoughtful.

I've got an "Easy Cutter" like that. I agree that the stamps look kind of cheesy. I believe the blade is plated which has some benefits. Mine took an outstanding edge and is a great shaver.

I do like that W&B. I agree that the scales don't look original but they don't look like they're in bad shape.

Genco was one of the largest razor manufactory in the early 1900. At one time, they advertised, producing 6,000 razors each month. The company changed names several times and produces several different brands.

There seems to be some dispute as to the linage of Genco and Ontario, even though the razors do look an awful lot alike and the factories were literally down the road from each other.

Both were one of the Little Valley cutlery companies of New York, Seneca Valley, a concentration, (over 100), of some of the finest US manufactures of razors.

Geno’s and Ontario’s are fine shavers and that one and the Elliot will easily clean up. The Elliot’s scales can be straightened on the razor with a little hot water, steam or carefully with a heat gun or hair dryer.

The Wade Butcher is also in fine shape and will easily polish up. Would look good with a pair of horn scales.

Awful Nice Brother You Have There He,s Got A Great Eye For Razors......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ty

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Genco was one of the largest razor manufactory in the early 1900. At one time, they advertised, producing 6,000 razors each month. The company changed names several times and produces several different brands.

There seems to be some dispute as to the linage of Genco and Ontario, even though the razors do look an awful lot alike and the factories were literally down the road from each other.

Both were one of the Little Valley cutlery companies of New York, Seneca Valley, a concentration, (over 100), of some of the finest US manufactures of razors.

Geno’s and Ontario’s are fine shavers and that one and the Elliot will easily clean up. The Elliot’s scales can be straightened on the razor with a little hot water, steam or carefully with a heat gun or hair dryer.

The Wade Butcher is also in fine shape and will easily polish up. Would look good with a pair of horn scales.

Thanks for the info. The Ontario is in excellent condition; almost too shiny. That may be because of the platting BeJay mentioned. Excited to try and get this shaving right away. The WM Elliot may be one I might try myself to clean up and straighten the scales. Cool looking razor. I popped the scales off the Wade and Butcher (they looked awful and fit so badly the edge extended below the scales and was pinned with a nail). This one I'll be sending off for restore.

Really fun stuff.

Paul

Originally Posted by Addison

Awful Nice Brother You Have There He,s Got A Great Eye For Razors......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ty

I've got a good brother who also happens to be my best friend. He is a collector kind of guy and loves to look for razors for me.

Now if he was a great brother he'd of had these restored for me!!

I was really wrong about the Easy Cutter. I cleaned it up today (not much to do, pretty immaculate). The only rust was on the bevel of course but not much. I put a layer of tape on it and took it to the soft arkansas and reset the bevel, then finished it up and what a beautiful edge it took. Teach me to bag on American made. Looking forward to the shave. The Wm Elliot is not worth saving; would have to hog off nearly 1/8" to straighten the edge and then deal with a lot of rust. The scales I want to save and have put on another razor I have. The W&B is going in for a restore. Excited!

Paul