Thread: Historical razor examples and depictions

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Thank you for these pics. No flipping of the tang when stropping with those razors. Very nice.

Granted, time is not kind to steel and horn, but I've always found it a bit odd that it seems in large part the oldest razors we normally see actual examples of don't appear (loosely) prior to say 1830-40?

Chris L

There are tons of existing Roman era razors out there actually. Here's jsut the first one that popped up on a google search
http://www.hotlinecy.com/Antiquities/200046154796.jpg
"Ancient Roman Razor - This beautiful rare ancient Roman bronze zoomorphic shaving razor depicts two Griffon's heads. It has a beautiful green patina. It is completely intact except for the missing thin iron blade at the bottom, which has rusted away over the years. This item measures 68mm wide and is valued at $275.00. $125.00 including insurance and shipping. This item dates approximately 100ad and was excavated in Northern Italy" - Antiquities

And link to some other early styles and information.

Just stumbled across this guy.
1790 French. Apparently it was Washington's from the information they give

Great thread. Thanks, and long may it continue.

Here's some new ones I found on eBay. They are all c 13-1700AD and iron not steel by the posting info. The last one is from the Danube area, but the other two did not have much info.

That's pretty good info, thanks. Is it just me, or is that a woman getting a shave in the first pic?

Originally Posted by burns420

That's pretty good info, thanks. Is it just me, or is that a woman getting a shave in the first pic?

nope it is a guy wearing hose (kind of like wool tights) with a towel on his lap. Women wore floor length dresses without much variance