Thread: National MFG Co, Union City, GA ?

Originally Posted by leveraction

I am trying to research any relation to Union Razor Cutlery/Union Cutlery Union City Georgia and Dixie. What is interesting is about 25 miles up the road was the Atlanta Stove and Iron Works which smelted and produced a lot of steel used for railroads, plows, cast iron stoves and pans, and it would be interesting to find if either of the companies had their blanks manufactured at ASIW facilities or if the steel was shipped to Union City and formed there. Sadly, as with progress, most remnants of these mighty plants were bulldozed and just an obscure name in history. Either of these razors are fantastic shavers.

Great info ! Thanks ! Based on your research , I would speculate that they were all part of Dixie Mfg. All made in the same plant , with different names stamped on the tangs . I would also guess that the blanks would have been made by Dixie from steel supplied by ASIW . But I'm just guessing I'll be looking forward to any more info you can find .

I think it has mostly been said already, but I have a Dixie from Union City that is a fantastic shaver and I am holding a badly chipped out Union razor from Union City that I found years ago in our basement.

Union city is still there and as Leveraction stated Atlanta Stove Works and several others could have produced the steel as there were several foundries in and around Atlanta, that I remember as a kid. In fact I was in the old Atlanta Stove Works yesterday visiting with a friend of mine that now owns it.

It no longer has anything to do with steel or iron, just office space and such, but an historic place none the less and really neat to wander around in.

Hone that razor up and enjoy it.

Will N.

Thanks Dave5225. It is indicative of the times... The demographics have changed all around those areas and most of the old-timers who worked there are gone or who knew anything about it hard to find. I was hoping the Union City had a historical society, sort of one, but things of this nature people aren't interested in. I've sent one of the owners of Estex an email asking some historical questions about the company, but as of yet not reply. I also believe a portion of the Atlanta Stove Works Building has been converted to offices, but I haven't been downtown Atlanta in a while to see what is left. I just remember seeing the Works in its entirety and pretty much the building was gutted with just remnants of smelting, and broken ovens and scraps of steel all around the place but that was over 25 years ago. When I compile a little more, I'll post a short synopsis

Could be that after the Civil War, Union razors were shipped north and Dixie razors were shipped south.

National could have come later.... combining the two lines.

Pure speculation on my part, though. Take my 2 cants for what it's worth.

Dixie Manufacturing was not in existence during the Civil War. They didn't come into play until the mid late 1890s. I am trying to find out a little more about Union Razor Cutlery because I believe this company was after Dixie, when Dixie Manufacturing diverted more into producing other goods. I believe National Razor from all accounts came later on, after Dixie and Union Razor/Union Cutlery. It will be interesting to find out the relationship between all three companies. But with a little more time and research, I should be able to get a bit more information and try to put the pieces together.

Originally Posted by leveraction

But with a little more time and research, I should be able to get a bit more information and try to put the pieces together.

Until then , please enjoy this free razor porn . The fist 2 pics are of the razor I sold , Union Razor Cutlery Co. , Union City Ga. . The last 2 are of my Union Cutlery Co. , Olean N.Y. . It's a 9/16 near-wedge , and is one of my best shavers .

Ok, I got my steel on!!!! Beautimous razors. Wish I was around when you sold the Southern Queen. I have a few Soligen blades, but in all honesty, I like the shave quality of my Dixie/Union blades the best. The Union-Oleans is very nice. Wood complements the razor very well. I don't like razors below half-hollow. It just bends a wee too much on my face. But thanks for the picts. They are wonderful looking razors

The scales look like wood , but they're actually celluloid .