Thread: Metal-scaled razors other than Wapis?

Simple answer, SS was invented during 1913. Used for various purposes. Available as razors/ scales during WWI.
Probably surpluses after the war. Where and when would you have used them?
Let the thread drop and do some of your own research.
JMHO
-Richard

Originally Posted by Steve56

At the time that most of these razors were made/used, autoclaves were probably not in widespread use, particularly in military field Hospitals and rural villages. My guess is that the intent was that you could give them a trip through boiling water before the next patient/victim.

This is not a heavyweight source, but it dates the beginning of steam sterilisation in medical contexts to the late c19th: https://brnskll.com/shares/a-brief-h...sterilization/

The page also makes the point that when heat sterilisation became common, the design of medical instruments changed to make this possible. This is precisely what makes me think of the connection between stainless steel scales on razors and medical sterilisation.

I have perhaps been using the term 'autoclave' less than precisely, to include more general kinds of heat sterilisation, such as boiling water and later steam.

I have a T-I with steel scales. Its an OK razor but it feels to heavy and cold for my liking. Give me a set of horn scales any day.

Found this one today. Joseph Rodgers ..HMG screams prison to me

Originally Posted by MrZ

I have a T-I with steel scales. Its an OK razor but it feels to heavy and cold for my liking. Give me a set of horn scales any day.

Exactly! Stainless steel scales may have their advantages, but they are not the most user-friendly, not when shaving oneself anyway.

To be honest straight razors weren’t made for surgery. So simple answer is no Microtones were, razors are for shaving and the material was just another that was used during these eras. Non great mystery here, razor, or surgical tools? Two different animals

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

To be honest straight razors weren’t made for surgery. So simple answer is no Microtones were, razors are for shaving and the material was just another that was used during these eras. Non great mystery here, razor, or surgical tools? Two different animals

Of course, as you say, razors are for shaving, not surgery. However, pre-operative hair removal is something which is frequently necessary in a surgical context. These days, something such as this is used: https://www.bd.com/en-us/offerings/c...ical-clippers; at one time a simple razor was used. These razors are of course surgical instruments.

And as we know, microtomes are for cutting sections for microscopy, not for surgery either, and this frequently (not exclusively) takes place within a medical context, though not a surgical context.

See here for an example of a set of surgical instruments including a razor in stainless (or surgical) steel scales: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...ools-476408588

Originally Posted by JOB15

Found this one today. Joseph Rodgers ..HMG screams prison to me

I've been thinking about this, and have done a few quick searches, but haven't found anything else with the 'HM Govt' mark. As we know, anything for the MOD would be marked with the broad arrow, which leaves prisons and... what else? I might expect that anything prison related would be marked 'HM Prisons'.

An interesting question, I will keep my eyes and ears open for any clues.

I cannot think but too much is being put into this. These razors with heavy stainless scales were part of surgical kits.
Scales were handled same as all instruments so as to be cleaned and sterilized and survive the process.
Lots of maker's names were upon them as could be expected.

None of these were ever intended to be used by a private individual for shaving and were not sold as such.
As has been said, scales are much too heavy for any other use other than one they were designed for.

Not such a phenomenon at all.

YMMV, of course!

I have a George Butler, HM GOVT.