Thread: Hmmm, suspicious…

I bought a Joseph Allen that is suspiciously close in blade design as a Wade and Butcher I have. I mean really close, down to the lettering “Medium Size Hollow Ground” etched into the blade. Same notch in the end of the blade, same turned up monkey tail.

I’m wondering if Joseph Allen was a subsidiary of Wade and Butcher, or if the purchased blanks from the same source or if J. A. was just ripping of the same design. Has anyone else noticed this ?

Jack

I would bet they bought the blanks from the same person, but I really don't know that much about it...someone else will no doubt know a lot more

Thanks, I think you're right, they probably bought their blanks at the same source. You can tell the Wade and Butcher had a more experienced hand at the grinder and more time was spent smoothing out the edges. Seeing both side by side you get a real appreciation to the skill that went into both blades.

As I recall, the Butcher Works produced all their own blanks.... perhaps Joseph Allen's trade name was purchased by W&B at some point as a 'seconds' line? (Like many of the modern 'brands' that are just second-rate DOVO blades)

No, Joseph Allen and W & B - two very different companies. And they used their own blanks.
If speak about similar blades, the Joseph Allen razors marked "Non-XLL" looks very much like the Wostenholm "Pipe" razors.
The Wostenholm company often filed suit against other firms with similar trademarks. This was costly but deemed necessary to protect their name.

Yep, this Joseph Allen is a NON XLL. I guess they were playing loose and wild with design infringment a hundred years ago. The lettering etched on the blades looks identical. I'll try to post photos when I clean the crud of the JA.

Thanks, Jack

Maybe they cut/ground them the same to mimic the W&B look then?

Good info

Picasa Web Albums - Jack - razor

Here's a link to the pictures.

Jack

At that time, all Sheffield razors looked about the same.