Thread: Help ID'ing this Razor

I found this razor along with a Wade and Butcher. They belonged to my grandfather who was a Barber circa 1935-1982 in Yonkers NY. It says Re-Li in one side and Westchester Cutlery Co.
Yonkers NY
M.I. Germany

on the other..it's Carbon steel. Pics soon

Originally Posted by vai777

I found this razor along with a Wade and Butcher. They belonged to my grandfather who was a Barber circa 1935-1982 in Yonkers NY. It says Re-Li in one side and Westchester Cutlery Co.
Yonkers NY
M.I. Germany

on the other..it's Carbon steel. Pics soon

Pics are appreciated as we all like to see razors. Meaning no disrespect, whatsoever, but what about the razor are you looking for ID on? Based on your description, it sounds like you know the razors name, the retailer and the origin. Some here may have information based on the years that the retailer was in business if you're looking for dating the razor.

I'm curious to see what it looks like. Thanks for offering to post pics. Very cool that your grandfather was a barber.

Chris L

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Pics are appreciated as we all like to see razors. Meaning no disrespect, whatsoever, but what about the razor are you looking for ID on? Based on your description, it sounds like you know the razors name, the retailer and the origin. Some here may have information based on the years that the retailer was in business if you're looking for dating the razor.

I'm curious to see what it looks like. Thanks for offering to post pics. Very cool that your grandfather was a barber.

Chris L

Yeah I mean I know what the blade says (Re-Li) but I havent been able to pull up any info on that name. I'm wondering if it was a "house brand" made by an OEM....I'm trying to source the OEM of the blade as I don't think Re-Li is an actual company that made razors. I could be wrong though.

First thing Ri Li made me think of was the Wester Bros. De Fi. From seeing those come up often on ebay I'm assuming they were big sellers with a good following. Could the maker of the Ri Li been trying to market his product with a play on that name ?

Whatever, I can see from the wear on tthe spine and the profile of the bevel that your grandfather knew how to properly hone a razor. Cool to have those to shave with and hand down to your progeny.

Re-Li is simply the name given to the razor be either the maker in Germany or the name requested by the retailer, the cutlery company that ordered the razor from Germany. Are you wondering if there were other Re-Li razors stamped with other retailers names on the tang? Sometimes that did happen. A Gold Bug razor comes to mind.


Chris L