Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 25
Like Tree134Likes

Thread: Early American Straights

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Posts
    270
    Thanked: 44

    Default Early American Straights

    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?

  2. #2
    Senior Member blabbermouth outback's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Akron, Ohio
    Posts
    11,937
    Thanked: 4300

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thp001 View Post
    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.

    Name:  KIMG3601.jpg
Views: 296
Size:  42.4 KB

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    653
    Thanked: 56

    Default

    I'm picking up on a theme. OP: "Does anyone have a...". Outback: "yep".
    If you're wondering I'm probably being sarcastic.

  4. #4
    Senior Member karlej's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Standish, Maine
    Posts
    816
    Thanked: 952

    Default

    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.
    Name:  P1020027.jpg
Views: 311
Size:  58.0 KBName:  P1060778.jpg
Views: 296
Size:  57.9 KBName:  P1060782.jpg
Views: 304
Size:  73.4 KB

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth outback's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Akron, Ohio
    Posts
    11,937
    Thanked: 4300

    Default

    I also have a Wm Gilchrist, from Jersey City.

    Name:  KIMG0350.jpg
Views: 317
Size:  48.2 KB
    Mike

  6. #6
    Senior Member karlej's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Standish, Maine
    Posts
    816
    Thanked: 952

    Default

    A Holley from Lakeville, Conn. About the same time period, they started business in 1854.
    Name:  P1040644a.jpg
Views: 317
Size:  55.1 KB

  7. #7
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lone Star State
    Posts
    25,848
    Thanked: 8588

    Default

    Here is an oldie made by Rocus Heinisch WAY back when. A razor from a scissormaker!

    Name:  DSCN2089.jpg
Views: 321
Size:  43.6 KBName:  DSCN2091.jpg
Views: 316
Size:  38.1 KBName:  DSCN2093.jpg
Views: 318
Size:  41.4 KB

    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
    Last edited by sharptonn; 12-15-2020 at 02:09 PM.

  8. #8
    Razor Vulture sharptonn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Lone Star State
    Posts
    25,848
    Thanked: 8588

    Default

    Lots of info on American razors can be found in this thread...
    https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...llow-conn.html

  9. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to sharptonn For This Useful Post:

    markbignosekelly (12-15-2020), outback (12-15-2020), RezDog (12-15-2020)

  10. #9
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,757
    Thanked: 5017
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    New York State especially the Genesee Valley was home to many razor and cutlery makers. Almost a mini Solingen in the 19th Century.
    JBHoren, rolodave and PaulFLUS like this.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  11. #10
    Senior Member blabbermouth PaulFLUS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Gainesville, FL
    Posts
    5,896
    Thanked: 597

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thebigspendur View Post
    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.
    Iron by iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the face of his friend. PR 27:17

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •