Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 33
Like Tree89Likes

Thread: John Barber razors, real or fake?

  1. #11
    Senior Member xiaotuzi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    1,924
    Thanked: 1363

    Default

    Another thought, reading the documents again and as you pointed out Martin, is that the counterfeits John Barber was talking about were stamped either "I. Barber" or just "Barber" and were packaged and sealed to resemble a John Barber. He states that he stamped his razors "...with his own name John Barber confiding in the honor of the trade that no one would infringe upon his right..."

    This makes me confident that the razors I have with the name John Barber on them are all authentic. The frameback without the name is still suspicious to me though.
    "Go easy"

  2. #12
    Senior Member xiaotuzi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    1,924
    Thanked: 1363

    Default

    Yeah, we posted that at the same time, Martin! That was my thinking too.

    As always, you are a wealth of information
    Last edited by xiaotuzi; 03-07-2017 at 02:35 PM.
    "Go easy"

  3. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Paris, France.
    Posts
    65
    Thanked: 21

    Default

    I have this "John Barrer" (bought in Sweden) which could be an example of counterfeiting??


  4. #14
    Senior Member xiaotuzi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    1,924
    Thanked: 1363

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by guillaume View Post
    I have this "John Barrer" (bought in Sweden) which could be an example of counterfeiting??

    Maybe it's just that the B was struck a little too lightly along the bottom making it look like an R? A little hard to see.
    silverloaf likes this.
    "Go easy"

  5. #15
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Paris, France.
    Posts
    65
    Thanked: 21

    Default

    Another picture, yes may be you 're right even if the double RR looks similar!

    silverloaf and xiaotuzi like this.

  6. #16
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    In the world of collectible vintage pocket knives counterfeits began popping up 50 years ago at the knife shows. Names like Remington (the bullet shield models) Case, Winchester, Russell, and probably a few other HIGH DOLLAR knives. I haven't seen it in vintage razors, though I suppose it is possible.

    Maybe Wade & Butcher FBUs would be a likely candidate, since the larger examples bring a good buck. I find it unlikely that anyone would go to the trouble of counterfeiting an obscure British maker using a razor that is in a condition which wouldn't bring much whether it was genuine or not. YMMV.
    guillaume and xiaotuzi like this.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  7. #17
    Senior Member xiaotuzi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    NH
    Posts
    1,924
    Thanked: 1363

    Default

    Looks like RR to me based on that close up picture. But maybe it is a B missing the bottom.
    Geezer likes this.
    "Go easy"

  8. #18
    Captain ARAD. Voidmonster's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Pacifica, CA
    Posts
    2,474
    Thanked: 2226

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by guillaume View Post
    I have this "John Barrer" (bought in Sweden) which could be an example of counterfeiting??

    That is impressively fake! A wonderful find!

    It doesn't look Sheffield-made at all to me. The shape and proportions of the blade are slightly off, the scales are odd, and the mark is pretty straight-forwardly misspelled. The B and the R letterforms are different, and that is definitely two R's. (The B bows out more than the R does).

    The typeface also looks slightly wrong to me.

    That said, I assume it's a perfectly fine razor to shave with.

    I actively collect antique fakes because it's a fascinating part of the history of production.

    This one was probably made in Sweden to be sold on the Swedish market.

    However, counterfeits or aspirational copies like the I. Barber razors were made in Sheffield and very possibly by the same workmen using the same tools. Their status as counterfeit stopped being scandalous 170+ years ago when John Barber died. At this point they're cool in their own right!
    -Zak Jarvis. Writer. Artist. Bon vivant.

  9. #19
    The First Cut is the Deepest! Magpie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Upper Middle Slobovia NY
    Posts
    2,736
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    Counterfeit of 150 years ago was probably still a fantastic razor. I sincerely doubt anybody today would waste the effort required to make a knock off of a quality high enough to pass. Some where in my collection of oddities, I have a 1950's George Washington quarter that is counterfeit. I wouldnt trade it for the world, simply because of how uncommon it must be.
    Voidmonster and xiaotuzi like this.

  10. The Following User Says Thank You to Magpie For This Useful Post:

    Voidmonster (03-08-2017)

  11. #20
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Paris, France.
    Posts
    65
    Thanked: 21

    Default

    Some more pictures with two others John Barber 's razors, genuine I guess, just to compare!

    The steel of the swedish one is quite good and was very collaborative while honing!






  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to guillaume For This Useful Post:

    Voidmonster (03-08-2017), xiaotuzi (03-08-2017)

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •