Thread: Just out of curiosity, No Names and Pleasant Surprises

At the time these razors were made I don't believe Pakistan even existed coming into being in 1947. Pakistan made razors came into being due to the current interest in straight razor shaving and globalization of trade. Also at the time these razors were made they were in wide spread general use so an inferior product would not last long on the market. It would not make sense to import junk unlike today when the knowledge of straight razors is pretty limited in the general public. I still think the best bet is that it was made in Germany as Solingen was known for making made to order razors for importers in North America. I only mentioned the possibility that it could be American made as the country of origin stamp may possibly not be required if the product was for sale in the home market and not an import.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

At the time these razors were made I don't believe Pakistan even existed coming into being in 1947. Pakistan made razors came into being due to the current interest in straight razor shaving and globalization of trade. Also at the time these razors were made they were in wide spread general use so an inferior product would not last long on the market. It would not make sense to import junk unlike today when the knowledge of straight razors is pretty limited in the general public. I still think the best bet is that it was made in Germany as Solingen was known for making made to order razors for importers in North America. I only mentioned the possibility that it could be American made as the country of origin stamp may possibly not be required if the product was for sale in the home market and not an import.

Bob

You're right that Pakistan as such did not exist then. It was part of India so to say "Paki" is technically incorrect although in reality the area and people did not just magically appear in 1947. They just called it something else. I am quite sure that this was made after The Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 because that is what Admiral Dewey was famous for. It just seems like if it were made by a reputable German company they would have put the country of origin on it. Although perhaps it was left to the importer to do the stamping. Still wondering why I am hearing Germany. Were they the only ones making razors for other companies? I know Ern ground for many others but did they not do that elsewhere? US for instance?

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

You're right that Pakistan as such did not exist then. It was part of India so to say "Paki" is technically incorrect although in reality the area and people did not just magically appear in 1947. They just called it something else. I am quite sure that this was made after The Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 because that is what Admiral Dewey was famous for. It just seems like if it were made by a reputable German company they would have put the country of origin on it. Although perhaps it was left to the importer to do the stamping. Still wondering why I am hearing Germany. Were they the only ones making razors for other companies? I know Ern ground for many others but did they not do that elsewhere? US for instance?

Yes, Pakistan was part of India and as such part of the British Empire. Britain had a policy of exporting British made goods to the Colonies while importing raw materials from them to make manufactured goods. I doubt they would look kindly on competition for Sheffield from the Colonies.

Yes, other countries did make razors for US importers but I believe Germany was the main supplier of contract razors. I have already said why I think it might be possible that it could be US made too.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will get a clear cut substantiated answer to country of origin or maker for your razor. Due to lack of info it will all be a best guess scenario.

Bob

Well at some point In a search one may find themselves out of answers and have to resign to not knowing. At the end of the day it is rather academic anyway. For the purposes of this discussion it is a good razor that shaves well so I'm going to keep it honed and shave with it until I'm too old or too senile to remember to shave.