Thread: Is this even a razor?

Picked this up recently. The shape is very razor like but the spine seems too narrow. Has anyone seen anything like this?
I'm torn between s.th. really old (mostly because of the scales) or someone's shop project.

The patterned area at the tang seems to be from forgeing.

Any info's appreciated.

blade shape looks like a Higo knife, however it's missing some of the hallmarks of a typical higo including the scale material and the non-flattened tail. Interesting blade to be sure though - any idea as to where it may be from?

the pattern on the tang looks like it was made from a file perhaps. I'd guess it's home made.

I think it is old, and not a razor but a marking knife. As you already pointed out the spine is too narrow. It could be a higo which would make it Japanese. Joiners used knives similar in design for marking fine lines and light work, before the marketing of box cutters and the Olfa style knives.

Thanks for the input everyone.
I bought it in a thriftstore here in DK some months ago. No idea where it originated from. The scales are some sort of horn I think, and are badly warped/started delaminating.

I'm pretty sure it is handforged.

Don't think it is a higo - tail's not flattened also seems lighter and more fragile than the ones I've seen.

So a marking knife seems like a good guess.

My grandfather had a marking knife made from a file that looked almost exactly like that one. The 45 degree tip also had a bevel and edge on it for getting into tight spaces.
His was in straight razor scales because they were readily available and it fit in them.