Thread: vintage Rocca Solingen razor

Last night I mentioned to my father that I had taken up straight razor shaving. We got to talking and he remembered that his grandfather used a straight and had given him one some time ago. After some rummaging in the basement, we found the old razor and my dad, having no use for it, gave it to me.

I'm hoping someone can help with the history of this razor... My great-grandfather was a carpenter who emigrated from Ukraine to Canada around the year 1900. It could have been purchased in Canada or in Ukraine (though I'm leaning toward Canada as a straight razor would probably have been the last thing to pack while immigrating).

The first thing I noted about this razor is a delicate quality. It feels very light and tiny compared to my Imperial 20507 shaver. It has light brown, celluloid semi translucent scales with sort of a faux ivory look (not solid). Silver metal blade with a straight spine and noticeably rounded point. I would guess the width to be about 3/8 and perhaps a full hollow or extra hollow grind. It has "ROCCA SOLINGEN" printed on the tang.

Any info would be helpful. I tried looking this manufacturer up in the SRP database without success. A quick google of the name only gave results in Russian and Ukrainian, suggesting that this may be a popular blade over there. But I believe Solingen is a city in Germany...

I'm sure you want pictures... the wife has the camera but I'll post some asap.

Wow, its really great to have an heirloom like that..! Congrats!

Yep, pics would definately help but hopefully one of the antique experts can chime in with some info with the information you have provided.

Forgot that my video camera could take stills.... here are some photos! Also, forgot to mention that there was some light rust all over the blade and tang. Most was just surface rust and could be scraped off with my fingernail. I used a rust removal compound and a cloth to rid myself of the rest. However, you'll see that there's some stubborn rust still on the blade on one side (and on the tang). Lastly, the width looks more like 4/8, not 3/8.

It's hard to see in this light, but the scales aren't solid. They have sort of a faux shell pattern, and when held to the light are semi-translucent.

nobody? . . .

Most likely German Made.

Solid pieece in quite good condition. Not too much wear.
As said, made in Solingen, Germany.

About that rust, does it match the transparent bits in the scales when the scales are closed? If so, it might be cell rot and those scales would have got to go.

Anyways, send it off to a restorer/honer, get strop and soap/cream, preferably brush too and you should be good to go.

Would bite if it was cell rot but if so they have to go as it will destroy the razor in time.

Looks like a keeper

Originally Posted by DwarvenChef

Would bite if it was cell rot but if so they have to go as it will destroy the razor in time.

Looks like a keeper

Not really sure if it's cell rot or not... When I peer into the scales it doesn't look like there's anything wrong. A bit of gunk in the area where the shank meets the pin, but it's scraping off pretty easily. Is there a test to determine cell rot?

I've read through the forums and the consensus seems to be a smell of vinegar or camphor. These scales do have a smell but not of vinegar or camphor. More like.....old. Think of smelling dust from your attic.

I shine a light threw the scales, if the rust patches line up with "see threw" area (light shines threw) than you have cell rot occuring.

I don't know of any test or fix for this problem. I'd love to be able to save some of these old scales. Oh and I'm no expert on cell rot by any shake of the tail... The above is just what I've read on these forums