Razor information

Hi,

I have recently got these two razors, they are my great grandfathers. I have given them a clean up removed rust etc. Does anyone have any information on them and are they suitable for getting sharpened for use?

Thank you in advance

They are both good razors. The first one appears to have boiled leather scales, so they will be a little water sensitive. If you are new to straights, I think you should learn with a different razor. Heirloom razors are precious to most, and many will never have one. As beginners mistakes are often made, occasionally it damages a razor. It would be good if your first razor to use was an inexpensive, shave ready razor, perhaps one from the classifieds. Also you may find some helpful people near you, so if you have your general location in your profile it lets others know how close you are.

Hi j619,
Nice to meet you, there's guys here with years and years of shaving and restoring razors so your in the right place.

Thank you! I will look at the classifieds and find something to start with. I was planning on getting these professionally honed at first as I have no idea but then getting stones to learn it once they are in a good place.

You have a Sheffield and a Solingen made razors. Both places produced quality razors. They appear to be in good condition suitable to be honed to shave readiness by someone who knows what they are doing.

The Solingen (German) made razor was manufactured by Julius Mandler and Sohn (Son) under the trade name Fram.

Bob

I know of 3 very experienced guys in London and the surrounding area and another in wales, all on this forum but there may be somone closer to Brum too.

I happen to travel to south wales about once a month, specifically Carmarthen if they happen to be on the way may be useful. Thank you!

The company that produced the Sheffield razor – Frank Revitt „Virgil“, has a quite interesting old history. Founded in Stannington in 1750, the trademark Virgil was used for about 150 years from different members of the Revitt family through the years.
Frank Revitt took over the company somewhere in the 1870’s, he died in the age of 47 in 1889. His widow and son continued the business until the 1930’s.
So you have a certain timeframe, when your razor was produced.
Here is an old advertisement of Frank Levitt.

Attachment 342717

Regards Peter