Thread: The Celebrated

I have just purchased a straight razor with the following identification. On the blade is etched The Celebrate with Hollow Ground Razor underneath. On the shoulder is Made in Sheffield England. There is no manufacture name The Celebrated seems to be used by different manufacturers so is it possible to date this razor. It is definitely old but in very good condition and just needs to be honed. Any help in dating it would be appreciated. Thanks

Originally Posted by Laird

I have just purchased a straight razor with the following identification. On the blade is etched The Celebrate with Hollow Ground Razor underneath. On the shoulder is Made in Sheffield England. There is no manufacture name The Celebrated seems to be used by different manufacturers so is it possible to date this razor. It is definitely old but in very good condition and just needs to be honed. Any help in dating it would be appreciated. Thanks

You will need to post a picture - a clear close up one, of both front and back.

“The Celebrated” razors can have different parentage.

In 1906, the German Boker company was distributing “The Celebrated” razors in the US, but Geo. Wostenholm and Wade & Butcher sold these razors as well, apparently as far back as 1870-1890. “Made in Sheffield England” suggests that their origin was just there and it is possible that Boker just purchased these razors from there and then re-distributed them.

Interestingly, Boker still sells reissues of “The Celebrated” razors today and Max Sprecher, whom many here will know by reputation, had some good things to say about this reissue.


I hope this helps in a small way…



B.

As eluded to before, the stamping "Sheffield England" suggests that it was made for sale in the US (which most Sheffield razors and knives were) in or after 1891, as mandated by the McKinley Tarrif of 1890. However, There are many, many one off productions. I have a Geo. Wostenholm commemorative razor that is, as far as I have found, one of a kind.