Thread: John Barber razors, real or fake?

Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Thanks, Martin, very interesting. So if the marks don't match those on the document, it could be that the razors are before 1834 when it was decided to use only those two marks moving forward. Still a possibility they are counterfeit, as we know that was happening at the same time.

The top one has a mark that matches the document so I'm sure that one is authentic and probably post 1834 based on your info. The next two I am fairly confident are authentic as well, maybe pre-1834?

I'm really unsure about the framebacks, maybe the one with the name on the spine and ivory scales is legitimate? Perhaps it depends on if they were making this style frameback pre-1834. The last one stands out as a real possibility of a fake as it is the only one without the name at all, but again, now I'm so so sure.

Just having fun learning more about them, it's really fascinating to me! Thanks for the responses and info so far.

It seems that from all your "Barbers" razor the frameback without the Barber name could possibly be fake. It is also possible that it was lightly struck and sanded away at some time in history? My personal opinion now is that they are real and that John Barber published the documents because of Issac Barber (I. Barber) razors that are copies of John's.


From that point forward he made sure his razors had both trademark. Interesting history!

And the one stamped John Barber and son is post 1834 after John death.