American Steel

Attachment 292114Attachment 292115 Hello All.. So I started a thread on the Soaps/Creams section yesterday about under rated/under appreciated soaps & creams you have used.. Got me to this thread today and that is the Under rated and totally under appreciated made in the USA straights.. Personally I think they are way under valued in any sense of that phrase.. So in honor of last weeks Independence Day send some pics of your US made razors... My pics are not great but they are a Hart 5/8 square point w/cocobolo scales, present day.. Wilbert Cutlery 5/8 square point, hollow ground, made for Sears Roebuck, circa 1909-1921.. Berkshire Cutlery, 11/16, Square Point, St Louis, Missouri ? Circa 1920's-1930's?.. This one I don't know much about the company and I heard some blades were Sheffields.. But since it says USA on it I'm going with it.... All are magnificent shavers (yes, even the Hart when dialed in) and I love using them.. So show them with pride gentleman... Thank you, Scott

Here are a few....Check this thread. It got out of hand!
https://straightrazorpalace.com/razo...llow-conn.html
An American Knife Co.
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Rochus Heinisch.

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Union Cutlery Red dog.

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Genco.
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Terrier
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Top Flight
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Torrey
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Now we are talking!! Very nice.. And wow! That did get out of hand. I always check to see if a thread has been posted with the same premise as what I'm about to post.. I give it at minimum 1 year and prefer a few years... Hoping to get a healthy feedback on this one but 32 pages might be over kill... But I sure love American Steel so bring out those pictures..!

Btw.. I have never seen nor heard of Rochus Heinisch but that is one stunning razor.. I have to find one of those....Anyone? please contact me if you have one that you might have even a slight interest in getting rid of... Thnx

Great thread! I'll have to check out that other one as well.
Gonna have to look through my blades to see what I have, will be nice to organize them under such groups.
Dang Tom! Anyway that you might adopt me? I could perhaps be on the inheritance...
what do ya say pops? :rofl2:

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Originally Posted by TCMichigander

Btw.. I have never seen nor heard of Rochus Heinisch but that is one stunning razor.. I have to find one of those....Anyone? please contact me if you have one that you might have even a slight interest in getting rid of... Thnx

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Here you go!..Attachment 292127

Some good info on Joseph Turner (of Torrey Fame) who was brought from Sheffield By Heinisch...https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum...zor-co.339618/

An early Torrey....

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That first blade is one of my all time favorite grinds!
When fully hollowed they sing a great song.
The history on that other thread is a great read, quite impressive to know that such big things were happening on the scene in regard to straight razor creation in the US, especially when one thinks about the focus given to European manufacturers.
Balanced focus or not, I'd say American manufacturers deserve their due!

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Here are a few....Check this thread. It got out of hand!
https://straightrazorpalace.com/razo...llow-conn.html
An American Knife Co.
Attachment 292119
Rochus Heinisch.

Attachment 292120
Union Cutlery Red dog.

Attachment 292121
Genco.
Attachment 292122
Terrier
Attachment 292123
Top Flight
Attachment 292124
Torrey
Attachment 292125

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Want to unload that Top Flight I am sure and I know someone that would take her off your hands....LOL

I have noticed on a few American cutlery blades I have were actually made in Germany for the likes of fine hotels back during the turn of the century (late 1800's into the 1900's). They were stamped I am sure for their resale in these fine hotels for those of fine taste and who had the money to purchase. Some were stamped for the cutlery that sold them and sold direct as well.

None the less, some of my finest over 100 year old shavers that look better than some modern day razors. I have tried PRC razors and while they shave fine, are a bear to hone for me so I have relented to only full hollow grind German razors for the most part in my life. They are always consistent and quite honestly, overall maybe the best razors in the world across the board of German manufacturers there is. My favorite brand is JA Henckels Friodur razors that without exception shave like a dream!


Never tried Hart. Looked to pick one up used a long time ago. The seller was mighty proud of it however and I could buy two vintage Germans for the same price. That was a no-brainer for me.

Nice thread! I'll try to add pictures later.

I'll take a Genco or Geneva razor any day. They shave great and keep a fantastic edge. I have ones that were made in the 1850's and they shave as good as any blade from Europe or Japan.

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Originally Posted by jkatzman

I'll take a Genco or Geneva razor any day. They shave great and keep a fantastic edge. I have ones that were made in the 1850's and they shave as good as any blade from Europe or Japan.

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I have both Genco & Geneva and I agree - they are top quality and are great bargains pricewise.

I picked up a very clean Genco with unique scales; couldnt pass it up. I am a not a honemeister by any stretch of the imagination but that Genco hone up wonderfully. Likely had never been touched before. I also have Geneva, also a great shaver. Would like to try all the american blades.

Some of the finest American steel was produced for suppliers used to having Germany make their blades until WWII came. THEN, they had to rely on American makers.
IMO, these last and finest Americans really shined.

Even Wester Bros could not get blades from Wester and Butz in Solingen.

This one is an absolutely premier example, IMO. Shaves like no other.
I wonder who made it? I have suspicions.......

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Have to agree. I have a few US made razors and they shave with the best of them. They were/are under appreciated imho.

Bob

I have no American blades. I’ve wanted one but they are nowhere near as plentiful as the others. And anytime I’ve ever went on a quest to find a specific razor it has lead me to paying twice what I should. Maybe something will come along.

My RAD is frothing at the mouth!
I may need to get a third job working nights on a corner downtown.

But if you guys keep telling of the greatness of American razors the price will go up, and thus I'll need to spend more time in that corner!!! Shhhhhh!

You can find Genco's and Geneva's on Ebay or the for sale forums. They are not expensive. My barber said they are barber quality which means they hold a great edge and are very reliable shave after shave. Mine can hold their own with any foreign blade at a fraction of the cost.

In addition to the Geneva and Genco I mentioned earlier I have four Robeson Shur Edge all fine razors, two Winchesters ( I don't know who made them for Winchester) they
are also a joy to use. I have two Red Imps made by Case (two more Red Imps but made by Luco in Germany).

I just looked at my Razor Log. And I see I have 18 that are USA made razors. A few more if you count USA but german steel. Love me some USA made Razors. They might not be as fancy, at least mine arn't, but they sure do shave well.

Yes, they are utilitarian. What's up with that? They work! ;)

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Originally Posted by Gasman

I just looked at my Razor Log.

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Whoa....A razor log.
Might be hard to forget you have something with a log?
Where's the fun in THAT, Jerry? :shrug:

:)

You got a point, Tom. But, I'm just one of those guys. Everything has a place and it must be there. Plus I got lists of everything I own if its more than just a few. Books I've read, Bills to pay monthly, Radio parts in stock, you name it. I'm just an organized SOB. Even pictures of every drawer of my toolbox. I know, I'm sick! But I never lose anything.
And whats this utilitarian thing? That's too big of a word for this old Truckdriver.

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A shave as good as any.Top Flight.