Thread: A few questions about razors

Originally Posted by esveka

I want to Express my respect for your deep knowledge on this issue! I looked at probably hundreds of photos, read a few topics on the forums, but I have to admit that it didn't help much.
Tell me, can't there be some clue to the question of determining the age of razors the absence or presence of the word "Sheffield"? Still, on older razors, the "Sheffield" stamp is not common.
As for the other razor, there is nothing on the reverse side. But it is very similar to Sheffield and and scales from a bone without obvious traces of replacement.

Alas, the presence or absence of 'Sheffield' is not helpful. I think the earliest razors I've seen that used it were late 1820's, and then it was used inconsistently ever since. Rather than a legally mandated mark (like the much later country-of-origin stamps), it was simply to reflect pride in the place it was made and to capitalize on Sheffield's reputation for excellent cutlery. In short, a marketing slogan not hugely different than Silver Steel or Universally Approved.

The Cut A Way razor, I agree, definitely looks like a Sheffield razor -- especially that cartouche around the name.

I poked around a little outside the usual sources (trade directories, Tweedale's directory, etc), and found another one sold in an auction.







Pretty clearly the same maker, but again with no clues as to who it actually was. It does at least contribute the data point that they are likely to have been in Cornwall (though the blade could still easily have been manufactured in Sheffield).

I'd say that's a rare, and quite interesting one! I'll keep doing what I can to find the manufacturer, but currently I don't have quite enough to go by (there were a lot of cutlers in Cornwall).