Thread: Can someone help me ID this razor? New guy here

Hello. I am new here and was wondering if someone could help me ID this razor and give new some history on it? I just received it from my Grandmother this past X-Mas. It belonged to my Grandfather's Grandfather. I figure it is somewhere in the mid 1800s to early 1900s? It is interesting that it is in a Henckels box, but does not have the Henckels logo anywhere on the blade or handle. What material do you think the handle is made from? Well this got me interested in learning how to shave with a straight razor. I really don't want to use this one, although I am sure it would work. It is still very sharp. So I have been doing my homework the past few days and have purchased a Dovo and all the other stuff to get me started. The only thing I will need to get will be a Norton 4K/8K stone for honing. Is this old razor worth much? Here are some pics:

The razor is not actually a Henckels; at some point the box must have been swapped (the vast majority of the time, and I say that because I don't like to say "always," you should go by what's on the blade, regardless of the box). That is a common mistake to make, so don't feel bad about it.

Most vintage German razors turn out to be (at least) solid shavers, but beyond that, I couldn't say.

Very nice razor! Great etch of Pluto. Not sure if I would like to apply the god of the underworld to my throat....

Goins " Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings show that Buerger Bros Supply Denver Colo. & El Paso Texas was in business from 1920-1940. Looks like it could make a good shaver, aside from the sentimental value.
Regards,
Croaker

Originally Posted by Croaker

Very nice razor! Great etch of Pluto. Not sure if I would like to apply the god of the underworld to my throat....

Goins " Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings show that Buerger Bros Supply Denver Colo. & El Paso Texas was in business from 1920-1940. Looks like it could make a good shaver, aside from the sentimental value.
Regards,
Croaker

Thanks for the information! That does make sense because his grandfather and Dad were from El Paso TX. Not as old as I though, but a very neat piece that sparked my interest in using a straight.

Can you tell what that handle is made out of?

Originally Posted by GallatinArms

Thanks for the information! That does make sense because his grandfather and Dad were from El Paso TX. Not as old as I though, but a very neat piece that sparked my interest in using a straight.

Can you tell what that handle is made out of?

The handle/scales look to be made of celluloid.

Originally Posted by Croaker

Very nice razor! Great etch of Pluto. Not sure if I would like to apply the god of the underworld to my throat....

I hadn't made that connection. So I guess that blade is like the Roman equivalent of the Grim Reaper.

Well I just got done cleaning and polishing it. Hard to tell in the photos, but it looks really nice. Hard to believe something this old can look so "new". Maybe once I receive my Dovo and get used to stropping and honing I may have to give this a try.