a little help - FOUND RAZORS

My grandmother recently passed away and as we were going through her effects I found a really old straight razor and a sideburn razor.

I am wondering if they are worth anything. I am told by my family that the straight razor may have been used by my great grandfather as well.

The straight razor is a Clauss with Fremont.O.U.S.A. on the blade. The handle is either bone or plastic and is in the shape of a cob of corn. Besides being a bit dirty, the razor seems in good condition.

The sideburn razor still has its original box and is a Durham Duplex brand with a plain white handle and is much cleaner and looks newer that the Clauss.

I tried ebay, to see if anything similar and didnt see much...Anyone out there have any background information? I plan on keeping them as an airloom.

Tom E
Baltimore, MD

As a rule we do not discuss value on the open forum, therefore I have sent a PM to you. Welcome to SRP! If you have any further questions please feel free to ask.

Here is a photo of the razor...


Attachment 44522

Here's the price evaluation: Since it came from family, it's priceless.

Clean that guy up and have it honed up and give it a shave. Honor the past by letting it live in the present.



Company Info:
CLAUSS
Elyria, Ohio: ca. 1878-1887
Fremont, Ohio: ca. 1887 - present

Yours looks like it's either '20's or '30's.

I wasnt lookng for a value. I was wondering about age, condition, how to clean it without devaluing it...

Is it from the 1910s or 1940s or 50s?
Is it in good condition? if so how do I restore it without damaging it?
Is the handle bone or plastic...?

I'd say it was between the 10's and the 40's, the scales are made of celluloid, it will take some work to clean it up, my biggest concerns would be any rust along the very edge(the bevel) and the big spot in the middle of the blade. Is this just light reflection? Let's answer some questions and then we can discuss the cleanup.

as an antique stabilasing is the only thing you can do to retain walue
I prefer the walue as a razor: get the active rust off leave the patina and get it sharpened

Ok, so the spot is discoloration, but not rust. I am not sure what caused it...there are to small rust spots...one on eeach side of the blade.

What is patina?

patina or what i call it is just darkening of the metal
often left under spots or grime on the blade

Those look like nice razors..I would send em to get restored if u can and honed..I have a post and pics with my wifes granddads razor and looks like I will have to restore it

Pcdad

Is there any unique pattern number on the tang?
I ask this, because during 1915-1940, Case company made many razors and knives for Clauss in Freemont. But all of them have unique pattern number on the tang.
And according this fancy scales, possible, the razor was made by Case.

Very nice scales. I haven't seen any quite like those. Hope you can restore it. :)

Beautiful and uncommon "ear of corn" scales-great buy regardless of the blade. Clauss razors tend to be great shavers when properly honed, in my experience. From the photo, yourblade may have pitting issues under the oxidized areas. The rule of thumb is that dark patina is fine and will not worsen, but red rust will continue eating into the blade and must be removed. I use 4-0 steel wool and a mild dish detergent to do initial blade and scale cleaning. That may be all your razor needs. Q-Tips or pipe cleaners and a polish such as Maas or Mothers will get the inside of the scales clean, and the polish will leave a nice shine all over the scales. I wish I could find a razor with those scales!