Thread: Pearson and Sons - who is this?

Hello. Recently, I got this razor on sale - Pearson and sons. Unfortunately, I could not find any information on the Internet about such a manufacturer. There is only information about the date of foundation of the company - Incorporated 15 July 1936. Also on the Internet there are several photos of razors and knives from this manufacturer. The razor itself was in very good condition. I sharpened it on Japanese water stones, finished it on natural Escher. The shave turned out to be very comfortable and the blade retained its sharpness after my stiff stubble. I wanted to know, maybe someone here on the forum knows such a manufacturer? Due to the good condition of the razor, I even began to suspect that it was a Chinese fake, but the result, as I said, is very good. One side is stamped Perason and Sons, Nowitch. Engraving on the canvas - Real Ring. On the other side is a stamp - Made and Ground in Sheffield, Eng. I would appreciate your help!

Originally Posted by Vart1980

Hello. Recently, I got this razor on sale - Pearson and sons. Unfortunately, I could not find any information on the Internet about such a manufacturer. There is only information about the date of foundation of the company - Incorporated 15 July 1936. Also on the Internet there are several photos of razors and knives from this manufacturer. The razor itself was in very good condition. I sharpened it on Japanese water stones, finished it on natural Escher. The shave turned out to be very comfortable and the blade retained its sharpness after my stiff stubble. I wanted to know, maybe someone here on the forum knows such a manufacturer? Due to the good condition of the razor, I even began to suspect that it was a Chinese fake, but the result, as I said, is very good. One side is stamped Perason and Sons, Nowitch. Engraving on the canvas - Real Ring. On the other side is a stamp - Made and Ground in Sheffield, Eng. I would appreciate your help!

I don't know anything about straight razors other than how to use them but I do find the tang interesting.

As you say it say's Norwich on one side which is City in East Anglia (East of England), but the other side says Sheffied which is obviously very North and hundreds of miles from Norwich.

You know, I just zoomed in and looked closely, are you sure it actually say's Norwich, that first letter may not be an "N"

I am not going to be a lot of help here, but what can be inferred from the available information :
Pearsons and Sons is a cutlery firm based in Norwich and indeed incorporated in 1936 and dissolved since.

But they were not smiths, therefore they ordered knives, razors, and probably all sort of flatware and cutlery made elsewhere, on which they would put their stamp.
Now, at these dates, it was not rare for a razor to be ground in germany, which is why it was particularly important to say that the razor was made and ground in England, Sheffield having a renown status in metal works helps a lot.

Such a practice is not rare, pretty common even.

On a side note, this razor being almost "mid 20th century", it is not shocking it is in such pristine condition.

Zoomed. Yes, its "N" (Norwich). I also checked via map that Norwich not even close to Sheffield. And I agree that they could ordered razors and knifes from any manufacturer in Sheffield and ask to put their company stamp on razors. If I'm not mistaken this practice was also similar to some of the German companies which did not produce razors by themselves but ordered them under their own name from Solingen (like Carl Schlieper and others).

In any case, thank you all for your help. I'll try to find something else!

Pearson & Sons (cutlers) Limited
31 Bradford St, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1AG

Disolved 85 years ago

This is all I could find

The engraving on the blade face may help you as contract razors often had the contractor's name stamp but also had the makers trademark somewhere on the tang or blade.
Try looking at this Wheatley Brothers from eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cut...-127635-2958-0

Originally Posted by bouschie

Pearson & Sons (cutlers) Limited
31 Bradford St, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1AG

Disolved 85 years ago

This is all I could find

Yes, this is almost the only information everyone can find in the Internet. Looks like this was a short-term business between Pearson&Sons and one of razor manufacturers in Sheffield.. Anyway, I like this razor more and more. Will keep it in my rotation. Thanks.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

The engraving on the blade face may help you as contract razors often had the contractor's name stamp but also had the makers trademark somewhere on the tang or blade.
Try looking at this Wheatley Brothers from eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cut...-127635-2958-0

Excellent catch! Thank you!!! Will dig in this direction.