Thread: Ford straight razor

Would any one have any info on a " Ford " straight razor . i have found info on a Ford & Medley razor in production 1892 .
i also found 2 Ford razors on the bay . advertised as " Rare " mine is marked only with the word Ford in an elongated circle .
the 2 on the bay have a heart and a P before Ford . i can make out the word Ford but nothing before it due to wear and use .
Big Thanks to any info .
Peafowlguy / Brian

I have a bunch of Ford Medley blades but they never took my interest .
Here is some info STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Ford & Medley, Sheffield.

The P "Heart" Ford are considered quality from what i know.
This is from the archives:

There is very little information on who Ford was. Curiously enough, there is also next to no information on who the Ford in the well-respected Ford & Medley company of razor manufacturers was - perhaps the same person? There is a theory that a certain Esther P Ford was in Eccleshall Bierlow Union Workhouse at the same time as a certain John Medley - 1881 to be precise. Esther was a domestic servant and John was a spring knife cutter. The theory goes that during their time in the workhouse John taught Esther about cutlery and when they got out they started a company. It's an attractive theory, but founders in the cold light of day, as the company history of Ford & Medley records no John Medley and the firm was supposedly in existence before 1881 although their articles of incorporation are dated 1903. The fact remains, that although the history of the Medley's in the company is pretty comprehensive, there is no mention of who Ford could have been.

Regards,
Neil

Oh well, after a bit more research both of those attractive theories have been laid to waste! What a shame...

A directory listing of 1787 shows the mark to belong to a Jonathan Pitchford (not a 'Ford' after all!) of Stumperly. Another listing of 1797 records him as 'razorsmith'. Stumperly is in the district of Upper Hallam, a parish of Sheffield. The first listing shows his mark - a 'P' on its side with a dash then 'FORD' - under the dash is shown a heart, so undoubtedly this is the maker.

In 1782 he is known as renting the Rowell Bridge Wheel (water turned wheel used to power grinding troughs).

A directory listing of 1841 shows J. J. Pitchford, razor manufacturers (note the plural) at 56 Eldon Street. Possibly Jonathan and John?

A directory listing of 1846 shows a John Pitchford, razor manufacturer, residing at 65 Eldon Street.

In the year of the Great Sheffield Flood (1864), a John Pitchford filed a claim for loss of property. He is recorded as being a razor manufacturer in Eldon Street. The claim was in regard to damage to the Rowell Bridge Wheel and amounted to £220 exactly - the sum was agreed in 1865.

An 1871 listing records a Jonathan and William Pitchford, razor manufacturers, residing at 8 Eldon Street.

Another directory listing of 1905 shows J & W Pitchford, razor manufacturers, located at No. 8 Eldon Street.

So, by hiding his surname and making us think he was called Ford, Jonathan Pitchford hid quite a dynasty of razor makers!

Regards,
Neil

Do you have a photo of your tang stamp?

At one point when Steve from the UK owned the Invisible edge before he sold, I must have restored more than 200 blades for him all Ford & Medley, in the end I was sick of seeing them.

I have tried several different ways of taking a pic of the tang stamp . no luck so far . it does show an F faintly , the ORD with the " banner " or circle at least half way around FORD . thanks for the info " JOB15 " its very informative . i have seen other FORD straights on the bay and the font is exactly like mine .
it has plastic or celluloid scales that appear to have been on it for quite some time, hhhmmm , makes one wonder .

Originally Posted by JOB15

I have a bunch of Ford Medley blades but they never took my interest .
Here is some info STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Ford & Medley, Sheffield.

The P "Heart" Ford are considered quality from what i know.
This is from the archives:

There is very little information on who Ford was. Curiously enough, there is also next to no information on who the Ford in the well-respected Ford & Medley company of razor manufacturers was - perhaps the same person? There is a theory that a certain Esther P Ford was in Eccleshall Bierlow Union Workhouse at the same time as a certain John Medley - 1881 to be precise. Esther was a domestic servant and John was a spring knife cutter. The theory goes that during their time in the workhouse John taught Esther about cutlery and when they got out they started a company. It's an attractive theory, but founders in the cold light of day, as the company history of Ford & Medley records no John Medley and the firm was supposedly in existence before 1881 although their articles of incorporation are dated 1903. The fact remains, that although the history of the Medley's in the company is pretty comprehensive, there is no mention of who Ford could have been.

Regards,
Neil

Oh well, after a bit more research both of those attractive theories have been laid to waste! What a shame...

A directory listing of 1787 shows the mark to belong to a Jonathan Pitchford (not a 'Ford' after all!) of Stumperly. Another listing of 1797 records him as 'razorsmith'. Stumperly is in the district of Upper Hallam, a parish of Sheffield. The first listing shows his mark - a 'P' on its side with a dash then 'FORD' - under the dash is shown a heart, so undoubtedly this is the maker.

In 1782 he is known as renting the Rowell Bridge Wheel (water turned wheel used to power grinding troughs).

A directory listing of 1841 shows J. J. Pitchford, razor manufacturers (note the plural) at 56 Eldon Street. Possibly Jonathan and John?

A directory listing of 1846 shows a John Pitchford, razor manufacturer, residing at 65 Eldon Street.

In the year of the Great Sheffield Flood (1864), a John Pitchford filed a claim for loss of property. He is recorded as being a razor manufacturer in Eldon Street. The claim was in regard to damage to the Rowell Bridge Wheel and amounted to £220 exactly - the sum was agreed in 1865.

An 1871 listing records a Jonathan and William Pitchford, razor manufacturers, residing at 8 Eldon Street.

Another directory listing of 1905 shows J & W Pitchford, razor manufacturers, located at No. 8 Eldon Street.

So, by hiding his surname and making us think he was called Ford, Jonathan Pitchford hid quite a dynasty of razor makers!

Regards,
Neil

Do you have a photo of your tang stamp?

Hi - I'm new here but through Ancestry.com have just found out I'm a direct relation of the Pitchfords and seen them listed as Razorsmiths/employers on the 1911 census. Could anyone advise on the best way to source one of their razors? Would it be Ebay? Thanks!

Originally Posted by MrsB

Hi - I'm new here but through Ancestry.com have just found out I'm a direct relation of the Pitchfords and seen them listed as Razorsmiths/employers on the 1911 census. Could anyone advise on the best way to source one of their razors? Would it be Ebay? Thanks!

Actually if you post a wanted to buy ad on this site, one of the fine members here may be able to help you out. Tell them what you are looking for and who knows, maybe someone has what you are looking for.....