Thread: Omega straight razor. More info! Please.

Just bought my first straight razor, although I do not know much about the Omega brand.
Any info related to the brand would be most interesting.

The scales are apparently made of horn, it is engraved. As to what horn and or date of the manufacture of this razor I have no clue?

Again any info is appreciated.

Note (seller's images) Blade was rehoned by seller.

To start with, Welcome to SRP. I cant help you with the name but it looks to be a vintage razor with plastic scales. 4/8 to 5/8 at the most in size. Clean without any rust of major pitting. If this is your first then you did well if you are looking to get into learning to use a straight.

Stick around and ask questions and we will be happy to help. Take a few minutes to read in our library about newbies learning to straight razor shave. It can help you a lot.

Someone will be around soon that has an Omega razor. BTW, Does it say Germany or possible Little Vally N.Y. on the tang?

After about 30 seconds of searching, I found this. And I barely know how to use a computer!

This trademark was used by Joseph Feist company. And was in business 1898-1924. Alfred Feist was the operator of this firm. Located at 18 Dolnerstrasse, Solingen.
As I know, the trademark is still used.
I've seen knives made by this company at the beginning of the 20th century, very good steel.

There’s also a Japanese Omega that’s usually a Perfectworks Silver Steel that has a connection to Tanifuji.

It says Solingen on the blade. It looks a lot like some of the J.A. Henckels grinds. That prewar German steel was fabulous and they did some excellent grinding in Solingen. I hope you have a good strop...but not too expensive because you will almost certainly knick it up. If you don't have one get one but don't spend a ton of money on it. Save buying a fancy one for when the muscle memory kicks in.

Also welcome to the forum. I hope you find this a rewarding endeavor. We have a fabulous trick here. We take what is for most people a daily doldrum and for some a real bummer and we turn it into a cool hobby. Ain't it great?!?!
Stick around and feel free to ask questions if you can't find what you are looking for in a search. There are lots of helpful and knowledgeable folks around to help you out.

Yeah, I did find some initial results to confirm the razor. I guess I was just trying to find out a little more about Joseph feist.

Or maybe scrape up a little bit of information I may have missed.

Other than that it looks like there's a production 'number' of some kind on the other side of the blade. 4572. Although the two looks faded.

Apart from that, it ain't bad for 16 quid.
Thanks for your post, it's appreciated!

Originally Posted by Tambo

Apart from that, it ain't bad for 16 quid.
Thanks for your post, it's appreciated!

Your use of “quid” suggest you are in the UK. If you specify your location in your ID/avatar location, you might discover some of the folks on that side of the pond are not far from you. Several of the fellows over there are excellent honers and restorers. You might want to meet them.

Welcome to SRP. If you are the kind of person who collects and readily falls down acquisition rabbit holes, you’ve come to the right place. Lots of enablers here ; )

Yeah the Omega brand belonged to the Feist family. Like so much others it is a very sad story in Germany history of jewish immigrants that build up a company from a very small firm with lot of work to a well known and succesful business until the Nazi regime took over. Here is a small story of the company published in a Solingen newspaper some years ago:

The history of the Omega factory began in the 1860s, when Joseph and Abraham Feist, who had moved in, founded a steel goods trade. The two separated a short time later and Joseph Feist built up the company, which later featured the Omega next to the peacock in its logo.

Until 1933, the Jewish Feist family was one of Solingen's most respected factory owners, employing up to 110 people. Then the repression during Hitler's tyranny began. The family was still able to run its business until 1938. But after the pogrom night, the Feists emigrated. They sold the company to employees at a ridiculous price. The private assets were confiscated by the Nazi regime.

After the war, production continued until 2003, when the plant consisted of seven buildings. The city had these demolished from 2013 for safety reasons. Today, the site is undeveloped.

Regards Peter

That is interesting, Peter. I have always thought D. Peres was the only Jewish razor manufacturer in Solingen.