Thread: Antique Razor Identification?

M. Wojciech Bienkowski was president of the polish corporation of cutlers and jury member of the great exhibition in Paris 1889.
His fabrication in Varsovie-Warschau, capital city of Poland, with around 50 employes around 1900 was specialized in knifes and scissors as well as veterinary instruments.

Here ist an extract of Camille Pages „La Coutellerie depuis l’origine jusu’a nos jours“ from 1904

50,000 Roubles a year in 1904, rough calculations would have equated to $39,850 which today would be worth $1,489,958.29. Not that obscure really.

I notice it doesn't mention razors. I still wonder if he didn't contract those out to a major German maker especially since it has that common style number. seems as though they would obviously make them in house but then people think it obvious that a skilled knife sharpener would by default be good at honing razors so...

Thanks for that information. You must have better eyes than I do. I searched pretty thoroughly.

That name was speaking to me......Polish! Thanks hatzicho!!

Hey everyone. I would like to offer you all my genuine heartfelt thanks for taking the time out of your days to help me learn more about my new razor. I appreciate all of your replies!

That's what it's all about.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I notice it doesn't mention razors. I still wonder if he didn't contract those out to a major German maker especially since it has that common style number. seems as though they would obviously make them in house but then people think it obvious that a skilled knife sharpener would by default be good at honing razors so...

.

Well I think at least the blanket might have been coming from Germany. 52 was a typical number that for example Puma has used quite often. Could also be ground in Germany, but eastern Europe did have very good grinders by their own, especially Hungary but also Poland.

Wow! Great find! Thank you so much!

Hi, a very interesting mark. For over 100 years, the Bieńkowski knife factory operated in Poland, and it was one of the largest knife manufacturers in the country. Among other things, they produced razors.

The known marks that were placed on products from this factory include: S. Bieńkowski, W. Bieńkowski, and Bieńkowski. I have never seen the mark M. Bieńkowski, but the history of this company is not fully uncovered. Here you can see some pictures of marks from Bieńkowski factory products:
Punce i sygnatury polskich twórców oraz producentów noży, Navaja.pl - Pierwsza polska strona o navajas

Hubert
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