Thread: Imperial razor, Germany

I believe he was the creator of another great invention Castor Oil,which was originally for coating razors but was turned into a medicne by an accident in translation-go figure?

It was also (and still is) used as the finest base for engine oil. During WWI it was used straight in the old biplanes. The amount of oil those old engines leaked and burnt lead to WWI pilots (then a branch of the army) being known as THE most ... "regular" of all service men.

I think Kastor family isn't connected with Оlеum Ricini (Castor oil).

Originally Posted by manah

Don't mix "Imperial" and "Imperial Razor Co."
Trademark "Imperial" was used by Richard Schmidt.
Imperial Razor Co. is A.Kastor trademark.
Vern, you asked who made razors for A.Kastor in Germany.
I forgot about his brother, Nathan Kastor!
In 1880's he return to Germany. In 1896, he opened the Germania Cutlery Works. The factory was in Ohligs-Solingen. They made cutlery for export to the US. In 1938, the Nazis seized the factory.
Kastor is Jewish family.

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Since I started this thread, I would like to add a photo of my Imperial Razor - EXTRA HOLLOW GROUND - Fully Warranted - Registered 20507 - Germany. These are the stampings and etchings. There are also bottom jimps on the tang.

Incidently, I have a Germania Cutlery razor that has been honed down to an amazing 2/8 blade width. Somebody actually did that!!

I had forgotten about this thread but I have not forgotten how well this Imperial Razor shaves. Nor have I forgotten about the very nice Mennonite lady who sold it to me in 1968 for the original price printed on the coffin. $3.00

She would not fit into today's greedy , money grubbing world. Thanks for reviving this thread.

FWIW, When MrSell talks about gear, I listen very closely. He's been str8 shaving longer than many have been alive. His assessment of a blade has not missed yet, in my experience.

And when pinklather/Robert speaks, it is always in a kindly manner. Thank you for your kind words but I don't think I am as good as I make myself out to be. However, whenever I make up a story, you can rest assured it is the absolute truth.

Thanks Robert...................

Thank you, Jerry, for starting this thread in the first place.

Your razor and box look very similar to mine. It, too, has the $3.00 price on the box, and insdie you can see someone wrote $1.00, so I always wondered if they actually bought it wholesale for $1.00 to sell at $3.00 for a profit. The $1.00 might have reminded the orinal seller of how much they had invested in the razor, so if there were some dickering for a price, and he sold it for $1.25 he still would have made at least a .25 cent profit.

I was barely shaving in 1968 but with a Gillette injector razor. And I WILL agree 100% with Jerry, that these are some fantastic shavers! Mine, looks nearly identical, but if you look back a page of my pictures you see that it is a round point. When I got it from a collection, the box had neglible use/handling signs and there was little if any honing wear on the spine. The guy had over 100 razors and I think he may have shaved with it once or twice and left it in the box all these years. Not a bit or rust or anything distracting about it at all, and the shave makes those "scrittch" sounds on your whiskers. And, with the history graciously provided by Alex, it adds new meaning and intrigue to not only this, but the Germania Cutlery Works razor I have as well.

I have found NOS razors on Ebay. It is hard to find them and even harder to get them cheap. I've been lucky to buy some really good razors for a great price. The last razor I got on ebay NOS never used with original box in great condition was an Electric Wald-Solingen. It had a little discoloring which came off really easy. I know talking price is not what we do here, but I got it for $32.

LUCKY ME!

i just bought one just like the above off of ebay. they guy i purchased it from was the next town over. we just met . it looks amazing and shave ready . cant wait to try it tomorrow . funny , i see the above pic and think. "hey , i just bought that "

Jerry,

I happen to have one of these Imperial Razors Extra Hollow Ground, it also came in the box marked $3.00.

I bought it at a local auction along with another German razor which I have been unable to identify and one US Made razor engraved McDonald and Company San Francisco - New York.

It would be nice to be able to identify the other two and come up with a Fair Market asking price so I can put them on Craig's list.

Could you give me some guidance, please?

Michael