Thread: Acquired a Straight Razor- Help identifying?

Hey everyone,

First let me say im relatively new to wetshaving and strictly used a DE for the past year or so. My knowledge of straight razors is very limited, which is why im here in the first place, I hope to learn all i can and someday make the transition.

I recently acquired a straight razor from my grandpa, i dont plan on shaving with it obviously but i was looking for a little bit of information as to what it is? Just something to add to my collection and has some sentimental value to me. Anyways here are a few pics.

I havent had a chance to clean it up and from the looks of it its not in very good shape. Any info on it would be greatly appreciated.

As far as I know Griffon was made by Germans for the American market.
http://www.14to42.net/griffon-solingen.html


PERFECTUM STAHLWARENFABRIK EWALD SPITZER
Schnepperter Str. 20 42719 Solingen, GERMANY
Tel: +49 21231 24 28

Originally Posted by 0livia

As far as I know Griffon was made by Germans for the American market.

Thanks for taking the time to help noob out.

Is there any way of identifying how old it may be? Or any idea of the value?

Here some info for you:
Griffon Cutlery Works produced razors from 1893-1921. Also this.

Originally Posted by clavichord

Here some info for you:
Griffon Cutlery Works produced razors from 1893-1921. Also this.

Awesome, thanks!

My google skills seem to be lacking.

This razor looks very similar. The scale seems to be identical but the wording on the shank is a little different. Im assuming maybe my razor is a US made version of the link below??

Griffon Cutlery Works "00" 5/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

They are the same. Maybe just different production dates. All of them were for sale in the US, hence the English. If it were intended for Germany it would say either a town, or Deutschland... Not Germany. I think this is a case of in 1906 they used one stamping, then in say, 1916 they decided to take Germany off for political reasons...? Something like that. Some marketing or design reason. Shouldn't really impact the quality of the blade.

Originally Posted by khaos

They are the same. Maybe just different production dates. All of them were for sale in the US, hence the English. If it were intended for Germany it would say either a town, or Deutschland... Not Germany. I think this is a case of in 1906 they used one stamping, then in say, 1916 they decided to take Germany off for political reasons...? Something like that. Some marketing or design reason. Shouldn't really impact the quality of the blade.

Oh alright, thanks for clarifying. Im still trying to get a grasp on all this straight razor info.

Those are by no means accurate dates or the actual reason. Just an example of what might be the case. You'll come to learn that the two of the same razor (metalurgically and quality of edge) will possibly have different scales or stampings.

My grandfather died in the early sixties, he had a Griffon Carbo Magnetic similar to yours. Recently my uncle showed it to me, I honed it up and got a great shave. My question is this: Why not shave with the one you have?