Thread: Manhattan Razor Company identification

I need help identifying a razor. It appears to be 1/2" or 5/6" with a barber's notch. It bears the "Manhattan Razor Co." name on the tang.

It's mostly in good condition, and I feel that it could be cleaned up, beveled, and sharpened pretty easily. It's just gracing a shelf in my grandfather's house as decoration right now, but I was thinking that I might ask him if I could clean it up and get it shave ready. Then I would return it to him with a thin layer of oil to keep it in good condition until its usefulness as decoration has expired.

Yup, it's a razor! ;-)

I know they were a Sheffield company, but that's all I know about them.

You may have gotten extremely lucky: Goins' lists two Manhattan Cutlery Co. trademarks, one marked Sheffield and the other one just Manhattan Cutlery Co. The good news is that both were registered trademarks of Boker, with dates of operation for both from 1868-1906! Congratulations if true. I think you have a realy old Boker. Lets see what other members say.......

Originally Posted by Croaker

You may have gotten extremely lucky: Goins' lists two Manhattan Cutlery Co. trademarks, one marked Sheffield and the other one just Manhattan Cutlery Co. The good news is that both were registered trademarks of Boker, with dates of operation for both from 1868-1906! Congratulations if true. I think you have a realy old Boker. Lets see what other members say.......

My concern is that the razor says "Manhattan Razor Co." and NOT "Manhattan Cutlery Co."

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by TyGuy

My concern is that the razor says "Manhattan Razor Co." and NOT "Manhattan Cutlery Co."

Thoughts?

Whoops! Misread your post, sorry. There is no "Manhattan Razor Co." listed in Goins or Standard Guide to Razors, just "Manhattan Cutlery Co." I still think your razor looks like a Boker. In searching for the answer to your question I ran across an Italian website that has excellent photos of hundreds of vintage and antique straight razors, searchable by manufacturer; if it belongs to an SRP member please let us know who you are! enjoy...

Ilrasoio.com • Leggi argomento - Database rasoi a mano libera (straight razor)

I'm surprised to hear about the relationship between Manhattan Cutlery Co and Boker - the old Manhattans I have seen scream classic Sheffield to me. Maybe the similarities only started after the Boker acquisition.

Yes, Manhattan Cutlery Co. and Manhattan Cutlery Co. Sheffield, this trademark was used by Boker, 1868-1906.

manah - I don't see "Manhattan Razor Co." on that list though, and that is my concern. I haven't seen anything that ties together Manhattan Razor Co. and Manhattan Cutlery.

Unfortunately, I can say nothing about Manhattan Razor Co.
In the sources only Manhattan Cutlery Co. and Manhattan Works.