Thread: Historical razor examples and depictions

As some of you might know I have been doing a fair amount of research of late on 16th century barber-surgeons. While much of the information I can find is medical related and not so much on the barber side I have found some woodcuts and such that depict razors in various uses. I figured there were probably others out there who might find this interesting so here they are.

Southwest German, c. 1450
paper, woodcut, watercolor and gouache, silver leaf and gold leaf editions


approximately 1568. You can see a razor on the back shelf under the scissors and spoon. It is obviously not to scale. Possibly the strap above it is a strop of some sort


The second image below has the razor sitting on what might be a paddle strop of sorts too.

Here are some replica razors from a few sources I have found. The first two are version of a C14th razor found in the Thames. Sadly I can not find any pictures of the original online.
The other two, I believe, are based off of the bits that were found in the Mary Rose wreckage.

And while I would be wary of the ability to take a proper edge, not to mention the awkwardness of honing something shaped like this guy with our usual technique, I did discover this as well.
Apologies if linking to a sales sight like this is inappropriate. I have no connection with them.

Some excellent information - thanks for posting!

Regards,
Neil

Very cool. I don't know about functionality, but maybe one of our great builders will become inspired.

Originally Posted by deighaingeal

Very cool. I don't know about functionality, but maybe one of our great builders will become inspired.

I'm working with a knife-maker buddy of mine on a few. I hope to have them ready soon.

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