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

Wondering what everyone's favorite no-name or pleasant surprise razor is. Stuff you picked up in a lot of razors, bought when you didn't know better, cheap ebay or antique store gambles. Mine is this Phoenix razor. One side of the tang says Spalding & Co warranted on the other side Ground & Made in Germany on the other.

This was my second razor I bought ten years ago for a couple bucks when I wanted to learn to hone. The blade has a slight frown and knowing what I know now I probably wouldn't have purchased it. The shave quality is right up there with my Wade & Butchers and Bokers. I'm glad I didn't know better at the time, I really like this razor.



PS No idea why the image is sideways

I had bought this german razor just for its size from one of our local sellers. It dont say anything besides Solingen Extra. It is an extra hollow 7/8. Great shaver but no clue who made it.

Cool thread! Not familiar with the names on some of my shavers, but they may be considered notable makers to others here lol. I'll try to post something.

BTW Camaro, welcome to the forum. Love the 69 Camaro SS with hideaway lights myself.


John Cecil
Cast Steel



Fortunately it does have the maker, so there is no mystery there. Some razors were made by prominent companies, but marked for other businesses. I have a razor that was likely made by Torrey (citing Richard/Geezer) and I have to agree after comparing it to another Torrey. It had the name of a retail business on the tang though.
Voidmonster has some razors he has researched and found cool backstories too. You should check out his threads.
You can read some of his articles at
THESHIVERINGBEGGAR.COM

Thanks! Wouldn't mind owning a 1969 ZL1 myself but its just a bit out of my price range.

This beastie was sold by Bartlett and Dow of Lowell, Mass.
They specialized in seeds, agricultural implements, hardware.
Wonder who made it? Fine, fine shaver.

Wow and nicely restored!

Nice one Tom. And you have the original box. Seen any other razors with the "Solid Comfort" etching?

Nary another. At all?



My old pics from broken computer to flash to another broken computer are deteriorating....

Here. An old thread.

https://sharprazorpalace.com/custom-...tlett-dow.html

Very nice restoration work! And an interesting provenance.

I call this my "bowling ball" razor. I bought it years ago just for the wild scales, it was cheap on eBay. But in spite of the wear, after honing it, it was and is a total standout shaver.

I'm more of a 6/8s guy, but this razor may be my very favorite 5/8s-sized razor. It is only marked "Chas. Thomas / Wilkes Barre" and I've never found any other information on it. This picture was taken with several other cheap eBay finds from lesser-known or unmarked makers before I honed it up. It has a stiffer grind than most American razors from this period I've tried, but the feel and sound of it when shaving are very much like other American steel razors I've tried.

The Allegany Instrument Corp. (AIC) razor partially shown next to it has a paper-thin grind by comparison. It's a decent shaver, but it's no Bowling Ball.