Thread: Boots Vintage

A couple of vintage blades.

One of them is a Boots Nonrusta, Sheffield Steel razor.
Never seen these before. Boots is the UK's largest chemist chain with over 2500 stores . They started in 1849 from what I read.

The other is a didi razor for cutting corns. I suppose back then shoes were a bit harsh on feet.

Any idea of the maker of the Boots razor or the scale material?

Bob

Hi Bob,
I have no idea as to the maker.

The tang says, "YSC 423 Sheffield" and the scales are Ivory.

Originally Posted by JOB15

Hi Bob,
I have no idea as to the maker.

The tang says, "YSC 423 Sheffield" and the scales are Ivory.

Thanks for the info. Does the "Nonrusta" on the blade mean the blade is stainless steel? Now that would be curious because the blade is not stamped England and stainless steel production was post 1913 iirc in Sheffield. The only Sheffield made stainless steel razors I have seen were by George Ibberson & Co and marked "Firth Stainless". I am sure, almost, that there were others in Sheffield that made stainless steel razors. It is just that I have not seen any. In any event it looks to be a well made razor and a bit surprising to me that it has ivory scales being sold by Boots. Enjoy.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Thanks for the info. Does the "Nonrusta" on the blade mean the blade is stainless steel? Now that would be curious because the blade is not stamped England and stainless steel production was post 1913 iirc in Sheffield. The only Sheffield made stainless steel razors I have seen were by George Ibberson & Co and marked "Firth Stainless". I am sure, almost, that there were others in Sheffield that made stainless steel razors. It is just that I have not seen any. In any event it looks to be a well made razor and a bit surprising to me that it has ivory scales being sold by Boots. Enjoy.

Bob

That's exactly what I thought concerning the scales but they have the ivory grain and resist a hot needle.
Probably they were not mass produced otherwise we would have seen more of them about. Who knows.

The metal has a whiter type of shine to it , kind of like white gold so I think it is SS .

Originally Posted by JOB15

That's exactly what I thought concerning the scales but they have the ivory grain and resist a hot needle.
Probably they were not mass produced otherwise we would have seen more of them about. Who knows.

The metal has a whiter type of shine to it , kind of like white gold so I think it is SS .

I didn't have much doubt that the scales were ivory but had to ask since they were on a boots razor. Interesting puzzle about the steel and who made it.

Bob