Info about my new old Razor "Blue Seal"

My name is Alex and as I am new to this forum I would like to introduce myself in short:
After some years of thinking about buying a straight razor I bought a new one last month. As one straight razor isn't enough to shave every day I bought another one on ebay recently. It should be a cheap/older one as I would like to learn how to hone a straight razor.

After having it in front of me I wondered where it came from and how old it might be possibly. I did some research with Google, but did not find much info about it. Someone said that Goins dates "Blue Seal" to 1920-1940. Regrettably there was no country or address or something given. I thought someone here might have some more info on it? :)

Attachment 271419
Attachment 271420

Hello Mort! Welcome to the forums. As you figured, there are a lot of folks from around the world with useful knowledge. It may take a time for and answer but usually it will arrive.
That is a nice blade you found!

Check for a local person to contact:
Local Help - Shave Library

Germany's Heidelberg region would be
doorsch http://straightrazorpalace.com/members/doorsch.html
He also knows many of the other persons in Europe.
Enjoy your journey!
~Richard

Hey Geezer,
thank you for welcoming me and I am glad you like my new old straight razor. Hopefully it won't be the last one I find and buy :)
I was a little afraid that the blade might have some serious damages not seen in the photos before I bought it. I think the pre-owner(s) tried to sharpen it with a household sharpening tool. The scratches on the blade look like this and the spine has no hone visible to me, so they probably bought but (nearly) never used it. If I don't do anything wrong when honing it I will probably can use it some time... :)

Hopefully anybody has some information on the manufacturer/brand "Blue Seal". I'll be patient.
I wish I knew where it has been already and which stories it has to tell... :)

Welcome to the forum Mort. If you want to search through this Razor makers you may find who made "Blue Seal" razors.

The razor looks good and should clean up nicely. Given a good honing it should serve you well.

Bob

It looks like a good razor to learn to hone with, as it is most likely a great shaver and does not appear to have any geometry problems.

Interesting list or manufacturers, Bob.
Regrettably it doesn't contain any info. I think Blue Seal may be a trademark rather than a manufacturer. I will do some research in this direction and see what I can find out.

Thanks for your opinion on the geometry. I hope this will make it easy to learn :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mort

Interesting list or manufacturers, Bob.
Regrettably it doesn't contain any info. I think Blue Seal may be a trademark rather than a manufacturer. I will do some research in this direction and see what I can find out.

Thanks for your opinion on the geometry. I hope this will make it easy to learn :)

---

If you look after the manufacture's name some of the trade names they sold razors under are listed but not in all cases.

Bob

Thanks for the hint, Bob. Regrettably the list doesn't contain any entries matching to my razor :/
Anyway, I did manage it to get it sharp enough to shave with it. :)
Worked very well, thoroughly smooth shaving. I am glad I did not buy crap :)

Here's one I picked up today at a local antique shop near me. My first straight razor!
Attachment 336213

Welcome MrLukers. Check out the library https://shavelibrary.com/ loads of great info that will serve you well. Tell us a little about yourself, there’s always someone here to help.

Welcome to srp. That razor has had some serious heavy handed or a lot of honing done to it. We can show you how to fix it up so it shaves lroperly again if your wanting to learn to use a straight.

Mr. Lurkers........Welcome.

Welcome MrLurkers. Glad.to have you with us. Maybe go to the New Member Introductions and give us a little bio. That razor dies have some hone wear but it can still shave well. It could probably benefit from a heel correction also. If you just got it from an antique store it almost certainly needs to be cleaned, sterilized.and hone to shave ready. If you are not near someone who does that professionally then you may look in the member list for someone near you that offers.that service.or.can at least help you.
Enjoy your time here and we look forward to seeing you around the forum.

Hello! Typically when I’m in an antique shop, I’m hunting for old woodworking tools to restore. I’m only 35, but have been in the sharpening world for some time now and have always been interested to sharpen a straight razor. The booth I found this one in had several others along with some old safety razors as well. I figure if I can make and old chisel or plane iron shave hair, I should be able to handle a straight razor, but I can already see the learning curve as the edge is quite delicate. Thank you all for the warm welcome and links for info! I look forward to learning as much as I can!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrLukers

Hello! Typically when I’m in an antique shop, I’m hunting for old woodworking tools to restore. I’m only 35, but have been in the sharpening world for some time now and have always been interested to sharpen a straight razor. The booth I found this one in had several others along with some old safety razors as well. I figure if I can make and old chisel or plane iron shave hair, I should be able to handle a straight razor, but I can already see the learning curve as the edge is quite delicate. Thank you all for the warm welcome and links for info! I look forward to learning as much as I can!

---

Hi MrLurkers,
I'm sure i won't be the only one to say it.
Sharpening a knife or a chisel etc is nothing like honing a straight razor.