7/8 F.F. Paris Frameback Straight Razor!

Gents,

Hello!

This is a 7/8 frameback razor with FF Paris on one side of the tang, and the number 300 on the other of the tang. The scales have been replaced with natural buffalo horn that had the bark left on, it has a horn and sterling silver spacer, and sterling silver pins.

The company that made it is Le Hyalin, and some chap named P. Fritiss had something to do with it. Perhaps the owner or craftsman?

The number 300 might denote a series/model number.

On the blade face there used to be some decoration with the word “Depose” under fancy scrolls. However, that can barely be seen, and only when the light hits it just right!

There does not seem to be too many of these floating around.

That’s all I could find. Does anyone have any additional information that they can add?

Thanks!

Vr

Matt
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Frameback that big are rare, combine that with it being French and that big makes it a very odd one. I like it.
No info though.

Welcome Matt, that’s a beauty!

Edit: they didn’t make razors in Paris AFAIK, so FF is likely a shop. There is a clue in the number ‘300’ on the tang, that’s likely a Thiers maker’s number. For instance, Thiers-Issard was 69. However, the records that I have don’t list 300, but if you can find the right record, you could find the maker. Maybe shoot Thaeris a PM, he’s got a razor for sale in the BST I believe.

Here’s an example of the Thiers numbers, but alas, 300 is missing.

Thanks Rezdog! I am looking forward to giving it a whirl next week!

I had been looking for a larger frameback, and when I saw this one I figured it was a rare bird!

Vr

Matt

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Originally Posted by Steve56

Welcome Matt, that’s a beauty!

Edit: they didn’t make razors in Paris AFAIK, so FF is likely a shop. There is a clue in the number ‘300’ on the tang, that’s likely a Thiers maker’s number. For instance, Thiers-Issard was 69. However, the records that I have don’t list 300, but if you can find the right record, you could find the maker. Maybe shoot Thaeris a PM, he’s got a razor for sale in the BST I believe.

Here’s an example of the Thiers numbers, but alas, 300 is missing.

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Thanks for the info and the lead Steve! Have a great weekend!

Vr

Matt

Wow, there are a lot of strange things regarding your first post, I'll try to sort out everything that's been said on this thread and maybe somehow we will get to the bottom of it :)

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The company that made it is Le Hyalin

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Alright, let's start with that. What made you think that ?
AFAIK Le Hyalin is not a razor, but rather a brand of alum stone, as illustrated below
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tv...CGqQqVaE8=w800

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and some chap named P. Fritiss had something to do with it. Perhaps the owner or craftsman?

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Once again, what made you thing that ?
True, Pierre Fritisse is a French razor maker from Thiers, He trademarked his work from 1925 to 1943, operating from 98 Route de Lyon, in Thiers.
One of his best known brands is the Fortunatus.
You would often find the stamp "Veritable P. Fritisse" on the tang.

And yet, it conflicts a bit with the 300 punch on the back of the tang. Thiers razors would have the brand number on the front of the tang, not the back. And besides, they would not all of them do it.
It's mainly Fontenille (134), Dumas (32) and TI (69) who used to do it.
There is indeed a brand which would be "Le 300" and the stamp could be the same (and yet...), but it absolutely conflicts with the make of the razor, far too old.
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For me, a 300 on the back like that would rather be a marker of a Solingen manufactured blade... That being said, some blades would be manufactured in germany and finished in France, it... Just seems very weird.

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they didn’t make razors in Paris AFAIK

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True starting 1820/1830. Before that there were a few (Aubril, Cardeilhac, Pradier...) AFAIK.

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so FF is likely a shop

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Yes, most likely. Finding it with initials only is a bit harsh (I gave it a try...)
BUUUUT, and that's where things get interesting... It might be this shop

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Credit : https://www.feret-parfumeur.fr/en/history

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1865. They created a new company, Féret Frères, which ensured the distribution of big names such as Cutex, Pétrole Hahn, Nivea, Bourjois, Colgate, Odo-ro-no, Bayer …
Féret Parfumeur was already making Bloc Hyalin and Hyalomiel in France.
1900 : Bloc Hyalin won three medals at the Paris Universal Exhibition. Bloc Hyalin was an essential product for barbers, hairdressers and dermatologists.
Hyalomiel was a popular skin care treatment with many uses. At the time, it was used by the whole family and valued for baby care.
In the 1930s the Féret brand enjoyed world-wide prestige and the company employed more than 700 people in France and had several outlets overseas.
Féret Parfumeur had its own shop on the Faubourg Poissonnière area of Paris.
Féret Frères had at its disposal a sales force of 150 people and owned several delivery and exhibition vehicles. Féret Frères enjoyed at that time a quasi monopoly on the distribution of branded cosmetic products in France.
Féret Parfumeur had its own shop on the Faubourg Poissonnière area of Paris.

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Soooo, as strange as it seems, everything ties a bit together, it would be a 1930's razor made by Fritisse (with german steel ? could work, the French steel was a bit crappy at that time because of WWI). But that's purely conjecture, and what you tell us about how you put Hyalin and Fritisse in the equation might shed a better light on the story.

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Frameback that big are rare, combine that with it being French and that big makes it a very odd one

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Well, they are certainly not common in this size, but French framebacks are not rare in any way.

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Originally Posted by Aggelos

Well, they are certainly not common in this size, but French framebacks are not rare in any way.

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I can see the size being rare/uncommon and also being a French frameback in the context of North America. I have seen very few in antique/junk stores in my travels in Canada. If I had to bet, you'd see more in the Province of Quebec for some strange reason. The internet is the great leveler in the availability of French frameback though.

Bob

True, I understand context is everything. A lot of the blades I can see on the SRP are exotic to a French eye said the other way around.
Now, as for availability, if there are people here who would actually go for a French FB, things can be arranged lol

What I was trying to say was large frameback are uncommon. Also very large French made razors are not very common. I have had two French framebacks. Both of them were 5/8, both of them were excellent razors.

Catalogue 1936 :

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Yes! Thanks you to all that participated in this thread in an effort to get to the bottom of this!

On the face of the blade the original design is still there, but it can only be seen with difficulty in the right light...I can’t capture it in a photograph.

It has on it, “LE HYALIN,” and underneath “DEPOSE.” There is also slight scroll work on either side.

So likely from the 1930s...quite interesting! I still have not yet gotten to use it. I have been so enamored with my Wacker Old Sheffield, that I have been ignoring everything else!

Thanks again!

Vr

Matt

Also, “suedois” from the ad means Swedish...so I do believe that this is a 7/8 Swedish Steel Frameback, which makes me quite pleased! Thanks again for the help gents!

Vr

Matt

As here, in many French catalogs the term "Swedish razor" means a frameback and that has nothing to do with the nature of steel.

Wow! GREAT history here! Thanks for helping to unravel it all!

Vr

Matt