Looking to tap into the collective knowledge of this community. What is the widest American-made straight that you’ve come across? I’ve not seen any American-made blade wider than 5/8. Do tell. . .
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Looking to tap into the collective knowledge of this community. What is the widest American-made straight that you’ve come across? I’ve not seen any American-made blade wider than 5/8. Do tell. . .
I do have a 6/8 Torrey, and a Stenton that is over an inch. Many years ago I was an unsuccessful bidder on a Geneva that was over an inch, and they do come up on rare occasions in the SOTD. The very wide American made blades are quite rare though, like hens teeth.
I have a 7/8 Thistle NY made,, to make it more rare it was NOS when I got it :)
Clauss made some wide blades and most all Clauss’ are great shavers, very well hollow ground and finished.
I have a few wide ones, will have to dig them up, I want to say 7/8, but larger than 5/8 at least.
Here is an 11/16 old post on Strazors, note the hollow belly grind on that puppy. Some folks say Case made them for Clauss.
Attachment 330947
Attachment 330948
I've a rare one. Early American...
7/8 Northfield Cutlery Co. of Connecticut. Rattler grind.
Attachment 330949
I picked up this 11/16 HM Christensen at a local antique shop a while back.I replaced the warped yellow celluloid scales with these Alternative Ivory scales with lead wedge, silver-nickel pins and stainless steel washers....a great shaver!
This Henry Sears and Sons Queen 7/8 #740 is, as stated in the name 7/8 inches wide.
Attachment 330954
They often used German or Sheffield steel but by the time this one was made I believe they were all manufactured in the US.
Wow, nice bellied hollow!Quote:
Originally Posted by Euclid440
These are some great examples of larger American beauties! I knew I came to the right place. Keep those pics coming!
That Henry Sears and Son is a bellied hollow ground also. It's a singer too. When you hone that thing it rings like a bell. You sound like samurai Jack while honing it.
Another early American. Waterville Cutlery Co. of Waterville, Connecticut.
Albeit the hone wear, the heel still comes in at 6/8ths.
Attachment 330955
Genco made quite a few in 6/8 and 13/16
Attachment 330956
And a Clauss, 13/16
Attachment 330957
And only God knows for sure who made it, and where. But it's 7/8, and was sold in Dayton, Ohio. Some time in the 18 months that George F. Rohr & Co. were in business as a hardware store, that opened in 1880, and closed its doors forever in 1881.
No stamp of origin.... I'll bet American.
Attachment 330958
Another early American. Waterville Cutlery Co. of Waterville, Connecticut.
Albeit the hone wear, the heel still comes in at 6/8ths.
Attachment 330955
Genco made quite a few in 6/8 and 13/16
Attachment 330956
And a Clauss, 13/16
Attachment 330957
And only God knows for sure who made it, and where. But it's 7/8, and was sold in Dayton, Ohio. Some time in the 18 months that George F. Rohr & Co. were in business as a hardware store, that opened in 1880, and closed its doors forever in 1882
No stamp of origin.... I'll bet American.
Attachment 330958
Almost forgot about the fine 6/8 th. Novelty Cutlery Co., of Canton ,Ohio. Sent to me by one of our fine Mentor's of this forum. The manufacturing plant was, is a mere hop n skip from where I live.
Attachment 330959
Around here, if you asked where someone lives, your likely to get a response of UCLA.
Short for, upper Canton, lower Akron.
The widest I have made is 8/8.:D
Well then go ahead and show your favorite or the most intricate to fab. ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
Not a good picture best the best I have.
Clauss at 6/8+...
Attachment 330962
Tim he did say American made right
Last I heard Texas is still part of America........Quote:
Originally Posted by tcrideshd
Wide Americans are scarce. Going back to the mid 1800's, lots are 7/8+ but later stuff is rarely larger than 13/16 total width and even those are hard to see.
A Bartlett and Dow from Lowell, Mass. Bit over an inch, I guess.
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A huge Geneva Cutlery. I have seen one other, likely the one Rezdog was bidding on.
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Wow, those are some choppers. And in pristine condition. . . very nice, thanks for sharing!Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I look at that one and automatically reach for the styptic pencil and a box of bandages.Quote:
Originally Posted by 32t
7/8 Clauss
Sweet stuff. As much of a sheffield steel lover as I am, in it's hay day the American steel was really, really good. Shumate, Robeson, Torrey, Cattaraugus to name a few, all fabulous shavers that hold an edge famously. That Queen 7/8 is so good I have said that I could throw all my others away.
Then why don't you? The rest of us would!Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulFLUS
April fools!:rofl2:
:rofl2:
Yeah, I had plenty of helpers willing to help me dispose of the other 140 something.
You all have to realize that Henry Sears was a salesman/importer/retailer. Much like DublDuck, many others.
A Sears razor was made in England or in Germany. A queen is foreign. Yeah! :D
That Bartlett and Dow I posted was hardly made by an outfit which provided prize-winning seeds, plants,implements, and trees.
Yet they sold it. Aside, it is so strange, I wonder if it was not domestically ground of a foreign blank?
Would be nice to know.
Exactly why I didn't post this H & JW King.
Attachment 331013
A 8/8 razor with only his name and address on Broadway st. in Manhattan, NY.
A retailer of fine English products = Wade & Butcher.
No doubt about that one. It's signature gives it away!
I was looking for what I read about Sears. Early on he was an importer. From what I have read once the company name changed to Henry Sears and Son in 1883 they were manufacturing the razors here. At least that is what remember. I'll keep trying to find it.
Here is the largest J.R. Torrey I've come across. Unfortunately I had to remove about 3/32" due to a chip but it still measures 7/8ths. Attachment 332257
Nice example of a big American vintage blade!Quote:
Originally Posted by mattluthier
