Thread: Popular immigrant razors?

Looking for little bit of history info. What brands and types of straight razors were popular and affordable with eastern european immigrants to the US around the 1910 time period?

What a curious question. I'll be very interested in the answers. I'd guess Solingen blades of that date. Brought in with the boat or bought cheaper than the alternatives (certainly than Sheffields, can't be sure about homegrown US blades). Do you mind me asking why you're asking?

I reckon Solingen blades, German and possibly Swedish. I'm not sure what else would have been available and certainly popular within eastern Europe during that time

There were quite a few American razor mfgs back in those days and what with tariffs and such I wouldn't be surprised if the immigrants of the time bought those because they were the cheapest they could get. People valued a dollar more back in those days IMO.

Originally Posted by Scipio

I reckon Solingen blades, German and possibly Swedish. I'm not sure what else would have been available and certainly popular within eastern Europe during that time

Wpenica was made in Poland if I am not wrong. You can find Russian made razors on the eBay, I have seen 3 different kinds so far.

Originally Posted by AlanII

What a curious question. I'll be very interested in the answers. I'd guess Solingen blades of that date. Brought in with the boat or bought cheaper than the alternatives (certainly than Sheffields, can't be sure about homegrown US blades). Do you mind me asking why you're asking?

One of my grandfathers (on my mothers side) came to this country around that time. Come to think of it he may not have been shaving yet. He was only 16 years old with a new bride, my grandmother, and a backpack between them. He's long since gone and I was just wondering what may have been available to him. We can only hope to live up to the toughness of those that came before us.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Wpenica was made in Poland if I am not wrong. You can find Russian made razors on the eBay, I have seen 3 different kinds so far.

Wapis are from the 70s I believe, according to the Invisible Edge.

I forgot about Russian razors though, Ive also seen a few.

Is the question by the OP asking what immigrants would have bought within the US, or what they brought with them from Europe?

I would think that, if they shaved, that what ever was used back in the old country would have made the trip.

Other than that, most every hardware store sold razors, so whatever the local store carried.

I think the question would be as well about what brands were common here in eastern Europe in those times.
Most common brands that can be still easily found on the local auctions and second hand shops are Swedish blades, Germans (and for some reason, we have lots of Ern's), and Fiskars (Finnish). Sheffields too, but they are not so common.
Another very common German brand is Heartring but i think it is not so old.
In the Baltic States all German brands are common, as well as Russian blades.
Hope this helped.

I did not consider the fact that immigration is a bit of a wide concept. Immigrants before the formation of the USSR and especially the so called Eastern block probably had Sheffield/ Solingen razors in their hands. Post WWII eastern European countries for sure would have a huge USSR influence when it comes to merchandise. The idea behind the creation of the eastern block was not only ideological but also economical. Trade was almost exclusively within the borders of the block, and goods coming from the so called Western countries could only be obtained from very few specialized stores against hard currency namely dollars.