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just got these in from france. Im french in heritage but dont speak a lick. I see both of these say something similar to the filarmonica "Para Barbas Duras" what is the purpose of this what does it mean? For haard beards?? Also any info on the manufacturers too if you can.
Your translation seems close enough... Those words in (at least in portuguese) generally mean "for tough beards."
Can you show any pics of the other side of the tangs? that might help with an ID... actually, close ups of the tang on both sides would help a bit.
both the reverse sides are blank. I know everybody talks about T.I. from France. But these say nothing of the sort
There were other French razors besides TI.
It may not be the same company (or at least the modern version of the company may no longer deal in razors), but Fontenille-Pautaud is a french cutlery maker in Thiers France.
Here is a link to their company website, you may be able to send them an email and get more info :shrug:
Fontenille-Pautaud
From what I can find based on my crappy understanding of the French language and some help from the internet.
The literal translation of "Special pour Barbe Dure" word for word is
special = special
pour = for
barbe = beard
dure = to last (like duration), it's from the verb durer meaning, to last, like a duration of time.
So maybe it means,
"This is a wonderful razor that will last you a lifetime of shaves"
And I hope it will.
Marc
Hi,
I have a wedgy Fontenille razor, and it shaves very well :)
Have fun !
Best regards
Russ
Thiers and its surrounding districts has been home to blade making for centuries. There are quite a few makers from both Thiers and Fontenille - this may be of use to some people with stamp marks on tangs.
I think Fontenille Pataud only goes back to the 1920s (probably wrong!) but other french razors I have (aka 'cabbage-cutters' - coupe chou) with the Fontenille mark on them are turn of century, probably even 1800s.
Delirium is right - the inscription means for tough (hard) beards.
The 'radium' name looks a bit daunting until you realise that in the early 1900s it was a bit of a buzz-word and extremely valuable, and many brands used it in their names. There's probably as much radium in it as there are ducks in a Dubl Duck!
Regards,
Neil
Great link Neil, thanks. :beer2:
Your Fontenille is marked Medaille d'Or which means gold medal. That manufacturer won a gold medal for its product at one time from somewhere.
Myself, I would like to know the award history of the various razors and how long they were allowed to put it on the razor. Was it the World Exposition competition or something else entirely.
i wonder id "Gold Metal" was something they just said on them or was there acuatually some sort of competition? something like wine??
The Expositions (Exhibitions) were both an event for showing the best a country could produce and a chance to be best in category. They were very frequent and some have gone down in history, like the Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1851.Quote:
Originally Posted by Noswad
Here's a full report of the International Exhibition of 1876, in which the judging criteria and various categories are discussed, then details of what each country showed - C. V. Heljestrand of Eskilstuna exhibited razors made from bessemer steel:
"...
After a general survey of the cutlery exhibition, we are forced to
give to America the first place for table-cutlery.
For pocket- and fine cutlery the pre-eminence of Sheffield vi^as
maintained by Wostenholm and Brooks & Crookes. France did
scarcely justice to herself in the exhibits sent to Philadelphia.
The display of Germany in pocket-cutlery was no doubt equal to
any from the United States, showing great beauty and high excel-
lence of finish...[...]...
F. W. Soderen, Eskilstufia, exhibited a selection of shears and
scissors of great merit; the examples shown were of superior quality
and meritorious.
The exhibit of The Sanovikens Iron & Steel Company, Gefle,
contained a number of razors, knives, and scissors. The whole of the
examples were said to be manufactured out of Bessemer steel made
by the company. From the workmanship and finish shown on the
goods the specialty of the steel would appear to be of a superior
kind. It opens a new (though probably not the most suitable) use
for this cheap quality of steel.
There was a fine exhibit of razors from C. V. Heljestrand, Eskil-
stuna. The blades were of the finest steel ; the handles were mostly
of ivory, tastefully engraved. The examples shown were executed in
a most superior manner..."
Once a medal was awarded, it was for good - you often see the awards that a company won emblazoned on their products.
Regards,
Neil