Thread: Help a fellow identify some straights

Good evening gentlemen! This query I am making is on behalf of a fellow SMF member. He recently acquired his grandfather's collection of straight and he would like to know more about them. Here is his original post:

I finally found my grandfather's collection - he passed in 1949 - of 19 straight razors, all never used, all in their boxes.

Before I take pictures, I'm wondering if anyone can comment on these:

Made in Sheffield England:
Geo. Wostenholm & Son - there are two "Superbs", two "I*XLs" and one "Conqueror"
Kropp Razor

Made in Solingen Germany:
Silver Ring
Wester Bros Best, No.32
I. Rosenbaum Black Diamond
G. D'Avanzo Maestro
J.A. Henckels Twin Works

Made in Eskilstna Sweden:
C.V. Heljestrand

Made in Paris
Rasoirs J.Coudert

Finally, I also have two "Klopps" and three "H. Broker & Co.'s Red Injun No.101" I know without pictures I am asking a lot, but my camera is broken right now. Eventually I hope to be able to find out when these were made. Thanks ahead to any responses. Sadly, my grandfather passed before I was born, and when my father was 17. My father passed when I was 12, so I have no knowledge as to why my grandfather collected these, or even if he used straights like these. The only thing I do know is I routinely shave with my 1949 SS, which was a gift to my father from his parents at this high school graduation.

And here is a follow up post explaining the reasons for his inquiry;

Quite the contrary John, I am not inquiring about monetary value per se, and as you correctly point out, they are not for sale.
Rather, I am very interested in learning from the straight razor community whether these razors are any of the razors sought after today. That is, is there a rare British Aristocrat, or a "195" among the group.

I wonder if its possible to learn why my grandfather chose these particular razors to collect. For a gentleman who moved from Manhatten to NJ in 1920, who continued until his death in 1949 to commute by train to his job in Manhatten as a sporting goods store clerk, I am just curious about his motiviation regarding these particular razors.

I would appreciate any help that you fine gents will undoubtedly provide! Thanks in advance!

Warmest regards, Niksa

Grandpa had TASTE!

http://www.uniclectica.com/misc/manuf.html

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Originally Posted by xman

Grandpa had TASTE!

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I was thinking the same thing!

Very nice stuff!

Show us some pictures... and then we will lead you down the merry path of restoration and use.

i concur gramps did have excellet taste... with luck he remebered to store them well so they are in great shape... but if not we will give you lots of resto ideas, some of it will be conflicting but that is where the fun is.

As far as I know all of the razors are rust and nick free, as his grandfather stored them in the attic, in their original boxes. I will most definitely ask him to post pictures.

Warmest regards, Niksa

Wow I can't wait to see this collection. Should be really interesting.

Sadly the gent in question can't post pictures fr a while. His digital camera is broken and until he gets another one we won't be able to see this great collection!! Oh well. Life happens sometime!

Warmest regards, Niksa

Scales may be toast, or not. Just depends. Temperatures in an attic can be brutal.