Thread: 1889 U.S. Congressional testimony: J.R. Torrey requests tariffs on Wade & Butcher!

After doing a search I saw that others have seen posted some pages from the congressional register before, but I didn't see these, which I found when doing a Google Books search for Wade & Butcher, so I thought I'd pass them along... because it's a transcript of live testimony, it makes for some fun reading -- it's about 4 pages.

https://books.google.com/books?id=Un...IAAJ&pg=PA1218

Interestingly J.R. Torrey starts by talking about German razors, then the company president Mr. Turner moves on to Wade & Butcher and finally Wostenholm.

Torrey also says that at the time, the company is importing steel from Sheffield and making about 40 dozen razors a day, and he thinks there are only three other American razor makers, each making about 20 dozen razors a day.

Collectors take note: in 1889, the Butcher Brothers produced 1200 styles of Wade & Butcher razors.

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Collectors take note: in 1889, the Butcher Brothers produced 1200 styles of Wade & Butcher razors.

Oh my!

But that pales in comparison to Mr. Mappin who according to my personal in hand copy of the Illustrated London News October 4, 1851, produced upwards of 100,000 "Lancet Edge Razors" in just 3 years. ( All along I thought those were so rare.)

Originally Posted by AntiqueHoosier

Oh my!

But that pales in comparison to Mr. Mappin who according to my personal in hand copy of the Illustrated London News October 4, 1851, produced upwards of 100,000 "Lancet Edge Razors" in just 3 years. ( All along I thought those were so rare.)

In just three years, too! And Mappin & Webb was a medium-sized producer in 1851!

Though, the W&B stat above is 1,200 different styles, of which I'm aware of maybe 20? 30, tops?

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

Collectors take note: in 1889, the Butcher Brothers produced 1200 styles of Wade & Butcher razors.

I've got my work cut out finding all those then

I was unaware that Torrey used Sheffield steel. I wonder when Torrey began using American steel? Or if they did at all.

While the name Torrey is most commonly associated today with razors initially they were a strop manufacturer and imported razors for sale. It wasn't until Mr. Turner (Joseph Turner) joined the company that they started producing razors in America.

STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - The J.R.Torrey Co.,Worcester, Mass.

Mr. Turner has a very interesting personal history before coming to Torrey.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...n-history.html

Bob

You know... that bio sounds to me like a life well lived. He started a business, made things that people liked and found useful, and he hired a bunch of people and trained them and paid them well (according to the congressional testimony). He prospered, and his sons continued his work. And his work is still making people happy to this day. For all we know, maybe one of us on this forum has a razor that he personally ground. A whole lot of us have Torrey razors!