Thread: Did I get heritage or hype?

Let me explain, as any hype would have been my own doing. I am Canadian and the Eaton family played a major role in bringing merchandising to this country. I don't know if "The Hockey Sweater" story is a part of grade school education in other countries but in Canada it is remembered by more children than the Lords prayer, fellow Canucks feel free to chime in here. Anyway, I bought a razor off ebay just because so far in my newbie travels it is the first one I've seen or heard of. I am under the impression that it was either made by or for the Eaton company, more likely for, but does anyone have any idea who made these or where they come from? I know in the beginning Eaton's imported primarily from England. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, I payed a whole $12 including shipping, how'd I do? It has some light rust and even lighter pitting but I think it will do nicely for my first attempt at cleaning, polishing and repinning.

I don't know about the hype, but if you were looking for a good shaving razor, it will suffice. It will require some good cleanup, but there is an issue with hone wear. You should have one of the honemeisters do the honing because of this wear.

Nice find and not being Canadian I'm not familiar with the Eaton story. I hope someone can give you the info that you seek. Still plenty of blade in that to make a nice shaver hone wear and all.

Although I've been State-side for so many years, I grew up in Ottawa and for sure, the "Hockey Sweater" was really close to us (I must have seen it at least once a season growing up). I think that was a NFB film (they were all fantastic - you might remember the logger one...).

Julian

Hockey Sweater is by far one of the greatest children's stories, as far as I'm concerned...only really works if you're Canadian though.

Now on to the razor. I know of a few Canadian firms who had razors made for them - Birks did it for a while, and I believe some of the fancy pants hotel chains did it too (I seem to vaguely recall a thread on here in the last year or so about a guy in Vancouver who's grandfather bequeathed him a 7 day set with the name fancy Vancouver hotel etched into the blade where he used to be the barber). I've always wondered whether the Eaton on this brand of razor was of Eaton's fame, but I always sort of concluded that it wasn't, since it lacked the " 's " that was a hallmark of their earlier incarnation (before the Quebec language laws forced them to drop the possessive apostrophe).

Anyhow, I would believe the razor is made of Sheffield steel, so a good shaver. If you do happen upon any information on it's provenance, please let me know - I'd be greatly interested!

Mark