Thread: Basil Shales

Came across a basil shales SR. Are they good shavers? How is edge retention. Oh and where is a goid reference for looking up manufacture info so I don't have to post every time I want to look up history n razors. Thank you in advance.

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Thank you very much

Basil B. Shales Sr, born 1869 (from MyHeritage) lived for al least part of his life in Brockton Mass. I don't have a subscription to that site so that is all the information i can gather about him.
I would guess he may have had a hardware store or other business that contracted with H.M. Christensen to have razors stamped/rebranded for his store.

Google search gave the following info:

H.M. Christensen Cutlery Co. was founded by Henry M. Christensen in 1889 and was originally located in Brockton, Massachusetts. In 1900, the company moved to 987 Montello Street, and in 1905, it was sold to Carl A. Bohlin and Carl D. Fhyr. The company was later renamed to H.M.C. Cutlery in 1916 and moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where it operated until it went out of business in 1956-1957.

The company is known for producing high-quality razors, often featuring a whale logo on the tang. These razors are generally considered to be very good shavers, especially when honed properly.
H.M. Christensen razors can be identified by the legend "H.M.Christensen Co, Brockton, Mass." on the front side of the tang and "Warranted" on the reverse.

I really like the older Brockton razors. Wish those had a whale too!

Just a little thread hijack.

There are 2 HMC (in a heart) marked Bowdin's Wedges listed on eBay right now. I could swear I've recently seen a Bowdin's that was marked HMC and had the New Bedford whale scale. Bowdin must have contracted with them for at least a little while.

I have a few Christesens. Fabulous razors that shave like butter and hold an edge with the best of 'em. Can't recommend them enough. They are prime examples of top notch American cutlery in it's hayday.

The New bedford razors seemed to be generic German re-stamped variety as the owners and locations changed.
The old Brockton ones had character. I always think made in New England. Interesting stuff.

I suppose I should qualify that by saying the only Christensens I have are marked Brockton Mass. so that's the only ones I really know. I picked up one and liked it so much I bought more just like it although they vary in size a bit, mostly 5/8 but a 6/8 or two mixed in.

I think all mine have (or had at least) those bleh yellow celluloid scales. I've changed out some.

Agreed. The scales were pretty cheesy. Kindof like the Burrell Top Flites. Such good stuff deserves better. I like mine in bone.
Much mo better.





Always interesting to learn about people like Basil Shales and H M Christensen who worked with others to move and create products and expand markets.

Guys like Monkhouse and Burrell , Korn and Cattaraugus come to mind. Lots of relationships Between America and Europe too.
It seems that the American cutlery market drove a plethora of partners.
Those of us who live here can see so many different names of sellers and makers rarely seen over the pond.
The utilitarian nature of these things led to being forgotten in time. Documentation is usually impossible to find.
Knowing geographical info and maker's signatures allows us some 'educated' guesses, however.