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We all know about the golden age of American straight razors in the early to mid 20th century, Genco, Union, Case, etc. But what about the 19th century? Of course most cutlery in at this time was coming in from England but what, if any domestic razor manufacture was there in this time and does anyone have any examples of such?
How about a Northfield Rattler, from Northfield Connecticut. That's the earliest I have, that I'm aware of.Quote:
Originally Posted by thp001
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I'm picking up on a theme. OP: "Does anyone have a...". Outback: "yep".
I have that same razor. Northfield started business in 1858. I think this Ramapo is my earliest American razor. Wm. Gilchrist had a workshop in Ramapo N.J. that burned down in 1853 so the razor is at least that old.
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I also have a Wm Gilchrist, from Jersey City.
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A Holley from Lakeville, Conn. About the same time period, they started business in 1854.
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Here is an oldie made by Rocus Heinisch WAY back when. A razor from a scissormaker!
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Heinisch was an innovative scissor-maker who gave rise to Wiss and was responsible for hiring Johnathan Turner (of Turner and Colishaw and Torrey fame) away from Wostenholm. I place this thing 1830's-40's
http://jwissandsons.com/bios/EarlyTo...ersChapter.pdf
https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...ml#post1557270
Lots of info on American razors can be found in this thread...
https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...llow-conn.html
New York State especially the Genesee Valley was home to many razor and cutlery makers. Almost a mini Solingen in the 19th Century.
Yep. Some fine cutlery came out of that part of the country. Another spot for good American steel was Massachusetts. A lot came out of Worcester.Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
That's a very interesting piece you got there, Tom.
Not early by any stretch of the imagination but 2 very fine examples of American straight razors at their zenith.
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Top: Cattaraugus Cutlery, Prince
Bottom: Geo. W Korn
Both from Little Valley NY
So Tom - Have you ever tried to shave with this unique razor?Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Yeah I was going to ask the same thing. I can't decide if the ...handle?...would be awkward or really comfortable and useful.
No, I have not. In holding it, it seems great. Have not quite decided to mess with it as of now.
As much as I'd like to myself, I don't think I'd do it either, Tom. Ya might be holding the last one existing, in that condition. :tu
I plan on giving it some Pre-Lim and Renaissance wax and having it in one of the displays I need to work on.
I have 4 of the old-timey oval picture frames with the domed glass to sort and put some special things in....Someday?
Here's a dump of the ones I have - been hunting these for a while now.
I have a few of these. A maker in Philadelphia (and not the Sheffield Philadelphia, because the address is stamped on the spine). Probably first half of the 1800s.
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H.D. Justi, another Philly maker. This one is mid-late 1800s:
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D. Klauberg, NY. A family of immigrants from Germany. Probably 1820-30s. Zak has acquired a different Klauberg from about the same time period. Klauberg was briefly mentioned in the other thread (American Knife Co.)
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Hiram Gilbert, NY, though this one was probably made in Sheffield I think and imported:
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G. Tiemann, NY. George was a surgical and fine instrument seller. This one is stamped "made of Pickslay's Peruvian Steel", which *may* contain platinum (certainly Pickslay was involved with steels of precious metal alloying experimentation). Where it was made though I am not certain. George Tiemann is still in business today:
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J.C. Nixon, NY. I really don't have any information on this yet. But I suspect made in the US. The blade shape and stylings are just... weird:
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Rawson & Nourse, Grafton Mass. These are no doubt made in the US, from the earlier mid-1800s. Zak is in the process of acquiring one and is doing some research; it points to these being a sort of one-off production from some partners. Lummus shows an example in his articles. Everything about these is weird compared to English razors. From seeing now two other examples, these ivory scales are 100% original.
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Henry Harrington, Southbridge. This was mentioned in the other thread, starting in 1818. Based on the design I have a feeling this is toward the earlier end, although reegrinding is profound and it has been rescaled in English scales.
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Another old Holley from Lakeville, Conn. The Governor owned the company. Began in 1846.
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The Holley Mfg building then...
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And now!
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Posted this back in 2011 about the Henry Harrington Cutlery as the first American Cutlery. Still interesting stuff! https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...ufacturer.html
There it is! Sweet!
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..........Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
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Love how different and weird both of these are
That's definitely different looking. Is the blade changeable like a frameback or is it affixed?
The blade is affixed and not a frameback. I am not convinced it is a razor and maybe a medical instrument for surgery. See this References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexter-Russell
https://www.thereminder.com/dining/f...rbridgevilla6/
