Thread: History of the Red Imp

Can anyone educate me or direct me to where I could find a definitive history of the Red Imp trademark and manufacturers that produced these straight razors and when?

I have found some information on www.uniclectica.com but it has been inconclusive.

Thanks,
Jeff

Welcome to SRP.
Case used this trademark.
Emil Morris MFG.Co. used this trademark, 1930-1971.
What is the stamp on the tang?
The photo would helpful.

Personally I have held 4 different ones in my hands..

Case & Morris as Alex already pointed out

Ludo is another

And the last one I just sent home was only stamped Hand Forged on the back side...

As a side note the #132 and #133 grind numbers carry through on all of them

The red imp is one razor I've never run across up close and personal. A friend of mine has a number of them and made by the various makers noted in the previous posts. He rates them right up there with the best shavers of the many he has in his collection of over fifty straight razors.

Ludo is also E.Morris trademark.

Here are some pics of one I have. Any idea when it was made?

Here are some pics of one I have. Any idea when it was made?

Made in USA by Case - 1955-1962.

Originally Posted by manah

Welcome to SRP.
Case used this trademark.
Emil Morris MFG.Co. used this trademark, 1930-1971.
What is the stamp on the tang?
The photo would helpful.

I am aware, through what research I have been able to do, that there are several manufacturers that used this trademark. Case is perhaps the oldest but I'm not certain of that. Then, Morris and also Ludo. The other one I have found is a George Dinney, Philidelphia, PA that I cannot find any record of. After finding this fourth and unknown stamp, I became curious as to just how many different mfg's there were and who was the first and last mfg of this trademark brand.

I don't currently own any straight razors but I do own some of my grandfathers personal barber tools from when he was alive. It's my understanding the he used a good deal of the Red Imp products and I do posess his Red Imp strop. As I purchase my own, I would like to own at least one or two SR's in that brand but wished to learn more about it's history. Thanks to all for your replies and for making a newcomer so welcome!

It's very difficult to find now who was the first or last.
The Case history is very rich and large.
My opinion, all other companies, who used Red Imp trademark, worked with Case. Because, for example, E. Morris used this trademark and marked the razors "Made in USA by Case"(!). He made it at the same period, 1955-1962.
Red Imp, Ludo Shear & Razor Works Germany, 1930-1971 is also E.Morris trademark.
So, the result, the owner of Red Imp trademark was Case. IMHO.

Does anyone know if their is a difference in steel between all the different brands?

I also wanted to add if anyone knows the Case brand was actually made in the USA