George Wostenholm & Son's "Celebrated Concave Razor" and F.W. Backhaus "FAMA"

Gentlemen,

I raided an antique mall yesterday and bought two razors.

The first is a George Wostenholm & Sons "Celebrated Concave Razor". The 6/8 blade is in good shape. Etched, if that is the right term, into the blade is "GEO WOSTENHOLM & SONS / CELEBRATED CONCAVE RAZOR" and stamped into the tang is "GEORGE WOSTENHOLM & SON'S / CELEBRATED IXL RAZOR / WASHINGTON WORKS / SHEFFIELD". The IXL bit is in large, bubble letters. The black celluloid handles are chipped at the pivot end.

Everybody seems to know about these.

The second is a F.W. Backhaus "FAMA". The 5/8 blade is in incredible shape and looks to sing. There was some gold, although it has rubbed off mostly. Etched, again if that is the right term, into the blade is "FAMA" and some pretty, swirly shapes, stamped into the tang is "F.W. BACKHAUS / OHLIGS - SOLINGEN" and "MADE IN GERMANY', and stamped into the back of the tang is "908". The black celluloid handles, with a white spacer, are in incredible shape also.

It came in an old, beat up box. I can't tell what it says.

Nobody seems to know about these though. Ohligs is a borough of Solingen, I discovered.

I'm interested to know more about F.W. Backhaus and his razors.

I'll put up pictures when I remember to charge my camera's batteries.

Gentlemen,

I went back to the antique mall and raided it again.

This time, a Robeson Cutlery Co. "SurEdge NU-BAK". The 4/8 blade is in incredible shape. Engraved into the blade is "NU-BAK / THE RAZOR THAT DOES NOT CUT THE STROP", stamped into the tang is "ROBESON / SurEdge / ROCHESTER, N.Y.", and stamped into the spike is "15103". The black and white celluloid handles are in incredible shape as well.

As for the F.W. Backhaus razor mentioned above, Mr. Nickelking has told me that F.W. Backhaus was a German cutler, made bladed weapons for the Nazis, and went out of business in the early '50s.

I have pictures of all three.

The Robeson Cutler Co.:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...icture92-a.jpg

The George Wostenholm & Sons:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...icture91-a.jpg

The F.W. Backhaus:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...icture90-a.jpg


Sorry, they're a bit off. I'll work on that.

Also, check out my other post about the Rolls Razor, in near perfect condition, I found.

I just got an F.W. Backhaus from Ebay. The blade is in good shape but scales need restoring. Hasn't arrived yet, but I would love to learn more about these blades.

I can't tell you about F.W. Backhaus but I can tell you I have a razor they made and it's an excellent shaver. Mine is a bit bigger,6/8 +, but the steel is excellent like most Solingen blades. It hones well and holds the edge. I hope yours works out the same.