Thread: Bengall cast steel & Erik Anton Berg

So far I've been limiting myself to German and French blades and figured I really should give English and Swedish blades a go.

Acquired a Bengall Cast Steel razor (that's all it says on the razor), wedge-y razor! Would like to hear if anyone has an idea about it's relative dating? Around 1850-ish maybe? No clue

And also acquired an Erik Anton Berg (Eskilstuna, garanti - Sweden), razor has a nice smile on it, forgot to get a picture of it's hollowness, but this this is extra hollow or something, very nice little razor


Next up a little cleaning and to the hones they go
Both razors still shave arm hair, pretty neat!

Probably will have to mess with tape on the Bengall, really starting to dig these older blades
I love the design of these Swedish blades, no stabilizers to get in the way and the spine keeps going further than only the extend of the blades, makes it much easier to hone in the very heel. nice!

Two sweet old razors. I have a similar EAB, and it's a great little shaver. I never thought that I would enjoy using a 4/8, but I'm now keeping my eye out for another one.

I've got the same E. A, Razor with the Shark. Maybe the same I should say as the shark is in a different location and different point. Didn't think it was really that old but I was not sure. The shark marking was used for a little while.

Gratz. Both top shelf makers.

If you get into Swedes, you should try to find a frameback or two... Some of the best shavers I've ever owned are Swedish framebacks.

Originally Posted by HNSB

Some of the best shavers I've ever owned are Swedish framebacks.

Really?

Now that is interesting, will certainly have to try out a Swedish frameback, a frameback is still missing in my current collection so I'll have to fix that
Thanks for the heads up

Originally Posted by HNSB

If you get into Swedes, you should try to find a frameback or two... Some of the best shavers I've ever owned are Swedish framebacks.

Sorry for digging up this ol' thread, BUT I've since tried 3 different Swedish framebacks I have to say I fully concur with your statement, they are my absolute favorite shavers!

Those early frame backs shave very damn good, but those later type frame backs have knocked my socks off!

Thank you for the suggestion, it comes at a steep price as my other razors rarely see any use lately!

Yup, those framebacks are pretty neat. They look nifty, hone up easily and handle great.

On the original topic: those Bengall Cast Steel razors are a bit of a mistery. They have English stamping, yet seemingly were abundant in Sweden, where there was the Börlange Maskinaffär that also made Bengall razors.

There are a few English razor makers that seem to have been popular in Sweden, among them T.R. Cadman, who made (you guessed it) Bengall razors.

Either way, English or Swedish, I have never had a Bengall that wasn't a fine shaver. These Cast Steel ones may not look like much, very utalitarian razors, but I have found their grind in general to be better than many Sheffield wedges I've come across. Very nice razors, usually around 11/16-6/8.

Regards,

Pieter

Originally Posted by Pithor

On the original topic: those Bengall Cast Steel razors are a bit of a mistery. They have English stamping, yet seemingly were abundant in Sweden, where there was the Börlange Maskinaffär that also made Bengall razors.

I'd love the Bengall Cast Steel and Börlange Maskinaffär/Bengall mysteries to be solved, most of my Börlange's look, feel and shave like Heljestrands and they're great. From time-to-time I also see Bengall Cast Steels that have been re-ground by someone into full hollows.

TristanLudlow's EA Berg also has the same shape as a Heljestrand razor model I own....

My old Heljestrand framebacks easily shave as well as any razors I've tried.

Originally Posted by MichaelS

I'd love the Bengall Cast Steel and Börlange Maskinaffär/Bengall mysteries to be solved, most of my Börlange's look, feel and shave like Heljestrands and they're great. From time-to-time I also see Bengall Cast Steels that have been re-ground by someone into full hollows.

TristanLudlow's EA Berg also has the same shape as a Heljestrand razor model I own....

My old Heljestrand framebacks easily shave as well as any razors I've tried.

I'm convinced that Eskilstuna razor manufacturers in the early 20th century - besides working with the same steel - actually worked the same blanks (besides possibly having some indivualised blanks), in a situation very similar to Solingen at the time; few drop forges, lots of manufacturers. And like with Solingen razors, the production standard was high and low quality blades seem to have been few and far between.

I've seen many, many similarities in blades by different manufacturers. Yet, it would be worth verifying it, as now it is still on the level of conjecture.