Thread: maker named: John Heiffor

gugi, very nice razor.
As I understood, quicknicker wrote about this razor:

Manah,

According to Stewart & Ritchie, 3rd edition on page 62, they stated the style began in the twenties. There is also a structurally similar razor on the following page. If you look only at the graph on page 73, the line falls between end '20 and beginning '30. So I can understand confusion for all.

There was a John Heiffor, razor maker, and I hope to link the info below

History, directory & gazeteer, of ... - Google Books

If the link fails, google 'history,directory & gazeteer, of the county of york.

A relative? I didn't dig that deeply.

Though I hadn't opened your link to 1820 razors yet, I am familiar with them. I shave with them daily, unless I use the older ones. I have seen your razors, but will look to see what's new.

The J.H. razor on ebay right now is probably from the time you say, but after looking at the example in the Ritchie & Stewart book, What precludes it from being earlier?
Not the general shape, size, jimps, grind, washers, or handle material and shape. Granted, there is no 'warranted', or 'cast steel' stamp, but this is lacking from the example cited above.

I haven't immersed myself deeply enough into the straight razor history to answer the above question to my satisfaction. As well, I was blissfully unaware of the existance J Heiffor, a few short hours ago.

With the information I have dug up, I am left with, 'what is more likely?'.

Perhaps you can help me with that.

Ed
quicknicker

Originally Posted by manah

Whence such info?


Huge/meat chopper blades were made 1830-1880.
Barber use razors - 1840 -1900.
If you speak about J.Heiffor razor on eBay now, it was made in 1860's. or 1870's.

P.S. Here some razors from 1820's.

Ok. About Stewart & Ritchie Guide. According this book such huge razors were made since 1830. About G.B. razor, on page 64, I can't agree with authors. Why? Because the tail of the tang. Such tail near 1840's.
About the history of J.Heiffor company. Yes, it's interesting fact, plus I've found in Robert A.Doyle Guide the price on J.Heiffor razors since 1830.

Here is my John Heiffor, with ivory scales and a back tang marked "Patent" The fancy script blade etch reads JAS Quirk, whom I think may have been the original owner. Must have cost a few pounds in its time. I found a little nick in the edge while photographing it, dammitall. Should hone out without problems. It is a GREAT shaver, nick and all.

All I can add is that I owned a quarter-hollow "Made for the Army" Heiffor that I sold to a friend because I thought I owned too many razors. That may have been true (in fact I'm pretty sure it was and is), but I still kick myself for getting rid of the Heiffor. It was an exceptionally comfortable shaver and I'd like to have it back.

John Heiffor was quite a prolific maker - he was officially appointed to make razors for the army so he turned out a fair few! Various Sheffield records show him being in Belfield Street before Paradise Square, and to add to the confusion at one time he was known as John Hill. The company still made razors in 1919.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by gugi

I know old thread, but here's an ivory one in very close to factory condition:

Dang. Had to tempt me didn't you.

Can't help staring at the huge chopper (top of page 2). I find it beautiful (in a monstrous way), but... Who among you have shaved with such a blade, and how did it go?

Oh, and I came to this thread because I recently got a John Heiffor. A mangy one, compared to what I see here today. But I love it already. Now I have to acquire the skills (and stones) to hone it. It is not in bad shape, but I doubt the strop will be enough.

These blades are my NEMESIS!
I have the HARDEST time getting a good edge on them...but once they are sharp...LOOK OUT!
They are GREAT SHAVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are a couple I have done:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...made-army.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...rmy-again.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ain-again.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...nce-again.html

Originally Posted by Syrio

Can't help staring at the huge chopper (top of page 2). I find it beautiful (in a monstrous way), but... Who among you have shaved with such a blade, and how did it go?

Oh, and I came to this thread because I recently got a John Heiffor. A mangy one, compared to what I see here today. But I love it already. Now I have to acquire the skills (and stones) to hone it. It is not in bad shape, but I doubt the strop will be enough.

Thanks for the info (I now have to get one of those), and the links. Lovely blades, all of them. With a slight preference for the second one.
And I am glad to see horn can be made to "shine" again.