Thread: Best razors from 1920s-30s?

For some reason, I just find that time period interesting, and I don't have a single razor from that era. I have heard that some 1920s-30s razors are magnetized? Was that just the hype of the day? What do you think is your best razor from that time?

It’s difficult to argue with Heljestrands in ivory or tortoise from this period.

Europe was reeling from WWI, Sheffield steel was no longer what it once was, but the shining star of that period was American-made razors: Union Cutlery, Cattaraugus Cutlery, Case, Little Valley, and many more from that western New York area. IIRC, 6/8" was generally the largest size, with 5/8" and 9/16" being the most popular. Smaller widths lent themselves to stiffer grinds (half- and quarter-hollow). They also boasted some gorgeous celluloid scales!

Here's a wonderful example of some Union Cutlery razor restorations!

For me it would be Wade & Butcher Special. They're one of my favorites.

Still it is true that the American manufacturers were in their heyday then.
J.R.Torrey

Cattaraugus Prince

George Korn

All these are fabulous shavers made with that brilliant American Midwest steel. Also Shumate, Robeson, Case, Genco, Geneva, Winchester and others were all excellent.

German razors made during this period made their best work ever.
Most did not survive pre-WWII and bombings of Solingen.
Americans of English and German descent made lovely stuff. They knew their stuff!

Sad to see old makers in Solingen cease to exist. It happened..

Funny, I seem to have thought of a 'Phenomenon' in those years.

The Modern-Grind Wedges. Like bringing heavy grinds into the precision age!
Everyone made one!



Suckers were and are great in good nick.