Razor Museum

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10-03-2010, 03:54 AM
leadingedge

Razor Museum

While walking around today I discovered the place where razors go to heaven my friends. It's called the "Giovanni Lorenzi Collection", and consists of nearly 4000 various razors - double edge, straight razors, hones, strops, shaving equipment et cetera!

This guy's family has been collecting razors since 1930, and they opened this little gem of a museum dedicated to the old world of shaving over the last two centuries.

This little museum is not really open to the public, but when I showed interest in the straight razor collection they have for sale in their shop (I walked in there when I saw shaving gear in the display window) the owner invited me to a private viewing of his "collection".... Obviously I was excited to see this, but I had no idea what I was about to feast my eyes on....

This is an absolute MUST SEE for any razor enthusiast. Everyone needs to know about this place!

Fortunately I found it by pure luck while I was away from home for work, but because of this, I did not have any other camera than my phone camera with me, but here are some pictures:

The Entrance aka-the gates of razor heaven:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...-image_287.jpg

Some of the many display cases:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...-image_283.jpg

And some more:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...-image_285.jpg

And then some: (Check out the size of the straight razor in the top of this display case!)
http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...-image_284.jpg

Well, if any of you guys are ever in Italy for any reason whatsoever, trust me - get your butts over to Milan, and visit this place.

I was lucky to be invited into the Museum, but bookings are normally essential if you want to see it. Here is a link to a part of their website:
G. Lorenzi - 1929 Coltellinaio -

Telephone number for booking: (02) 760 228 48.

To call from the USA: 011 39 02 760 228 48.

From elsewhere in the world: +39 02 760 228 48.

G.Lorenzi
Via Montenapoleone 9, Milan, Italy.

Enjoy guys!
10-03-2010, 04:05 AM
thehekler

And I thought some of the shave dens members here had were impressive!! Wow you are lucky to have seen this and may start a SRP pilgrimage to the razor holy land.
10-03-2010, 04:12 AM
Noswad

WOW!!! Thanks for sharing this discovery.
10-03-2010, 04:26 AM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehekler

And I thought some of the shave dens members here had were impressive!! Wow you are lucky to have seen this and may start a SRP pilgrimage to the razor holy land.

Yea guys, I can't keep this to myself, everyone needs to know!

It really is an amazing place to see.

I will definitely go back there again when I am in Milan again, but this time I will make a booking with Franco Lorenzi himself and spend a few hours there....Can't wait!

Ciao
10-03-2010, 07:31 AM
manah

1 Attachment(s)

leadingedge, you forgot to tell about Franco Lorenzi book "Rasoi e lame; barbe e baffi".
In the book you can find all his collection.
I've visited Franco Lorenzi last year. Photo on my website.
10-03-2010, 08:19 AM
leadingedge

The book is amazing, I paged through it and looked at the photos. Only problem is that it is only published in Italian, and I do not speak the language.

He has the book for sale for 75 Euro, but only in Italian....otherwise I would have bought one for sure.

I'm sure you were as impressed as I was with his Museum? Absolutely incredible collection his family has put together in the last 80 years.
10-03-2010, 10:01 AM
baldy

Wow, thats amazing. thanks for sharing, even if it does just make me a little jealous.
10-03-2010, 10:59 AM
fpessanha

I passed 2 or 3 times in front of the shop window, some time ago. I had no idea that there was such a collection gathered inside...
Thanks for sharing.

As a side note, since we're talking about Milan, there is a barber in Brera that also has a very nice collection of razors and other stuff displayed in the shop window. Much smaller, but well worth seeing.

EDIT: I just noticed that Franco Lorenzi, being such a razor enthusiast, is a bearded man... How ironic is that?!
10-03-2010, 12:20 PM
nicknbleeding

Thats amazing. Doubt i will ever get to italy.
10-03-2010, 12:48 PM
stimpy52

razor museum

Very nice. But... for a religious razor experience, one need not travel past Williamson NY.
10-03-2010, 01:17 PM
steelhead

Thats so cool I really like seeing things like that. Thanks.
10-03-2010, 02:13 PM
Birnando

Molto bene!
That looks impressive!
Some gems in there, I'm sure!
10-03-2010, 06:51 PM
Miner123

Mamma Mia! They need an online tour. Nice find.
10-04-2010, 01:12 AM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by baldy

Wow, thats amazing. thanks for sharing, even if it does just make me a little jealous.

No need to be jealous Baldy, I only had a very brief experience of about 10minutes in there....:( because I had not made an appointment. Won't make that mistake next time!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpessanha

I passed 2 or 3 times in front of the shop window, some time ago. I had no idea that there was such a collection gathered inside...
Thanks for sharing.

As a side note, since we're talking about Milan, there is a barber in Brera that also has a very nice collection of razors and other stuff displayed in the shop window. Much smaller, but well worth seeing.

EDIT: I just noticed that Franco Lorenzi, being such a razor enthusiast, is a bearded man... How ironic is that?!

That is pretty ironic isn't it! Guess that is why he has so many razors in excellent condition, because he never uses them! LOL.

Thanks for sharing the info about the Brera collection, I will have to check that out next time when I'm there.

Regarding not knowing about the collection, that is no surprise, I also did not know about it because it is not advertised. Only got to see it because he offered to show me his collection after seeing that I was very interested in straight razors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stimpy52

Very nice. But... for a religious razor experience, one need not travel past Williamson NY.

Stimpy, please give us more information on the Williamson NY collection....? You have me VERY interested?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birnando

Molto bene!
That looks impressive!
Some gems in there, I'm sure!

You won't believe the gems in there Birnardo. You have to see it for yourself man!
10-04-2010, 01:16 AM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miner123

Mamma Mia! They need an online tour. Nice find.

Now that would be something! If they can have a proper online tour for everyone to see, it would be incredible! Don't think they will ever do that, because even that brilliant book of theirs is only in Italian, and they don't even have plans to translate it into English any time soon....:( :( :(
10-04-2010, 01:22 AM
Philadelph

Cool looking place man! Too bad I'll only be in Rome when I go to Italy in November! I mean... going to Italy is never "too bad" but you get it... lol
10-04-2010, 01:28 AM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Cool looking place man! Too bad I'll only be in Rome when I go to Italy in November! I mean... going to Italy is never "too bad" but you get it... lol

I'm sure that is going to be an Epic trip Alex, have a lot of fun and enjoy it! If you find any time to spare, it is well worth checking out if you do somehow find yourself in Milan!

Hope you will tell us all about your Rome trip when you get back home!

Ciao
10-04-2010, 02:57 AM
Miner123

When I try to access the link to the museum you provided it says access is forbidden.
10-04-2010, 05:31 AM
nubskillz

Next time I go back home to Italy I will have to check both places out. Now onto seeing if I can get that book from somewhere...
10-04-2010, 02:27 PM
Dllandry

There is a museum in Shelburne Vermont Shelburnemuseum.org that has a large collection of straight razors in the general store building. I haven't been there yet but am planning to go one day.
10-04-2010, 02:54 PM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miner123

When I try to access the link to the museum you provided it says access is forbidden.

Just tried viewing it myself again, seems like the website is being worked on or something weird. It worked fine yesterday and the day before.

Try this link: www.lorenzi.it

That is their home page.

They have a pretty basic website, so not much to see on the site anyways. They don't have any photos of the museum or collection on the site.

Hopefully it will be up and running again soon.
10-04-2010, 02:59 PM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dllandry

There is a museum in Shelburne Vermont Shelburnemuseum.org that has a large collection of straight razors in the general store building. I haven't been there yet but am planning to go one day.

Hmm, that sounds like a place to visit as well! Thanks for sharing, this thread is just getting better and better with museum and collection information across the world.

Keep it coming please guys, so we can all know about these places.:mexwave:
10-04-2010, 03:08 PM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miner123

Mamma Mia! They need an online tour. Nice find.

Here are some on-line museums for your viewing pleasure!

Internet Museum of Safety Razors

Museu do Barbeiro e Cabeleireiro

And a place in Japan that might be worth a visit:

Feather Museum Seki | Japan Visitor Blog - Tokyo Osaka Nagoya Kyoto
10-11-2010, 12:52 PM
leadingedge

Website working again

The website is up & running again guys. Enjoy!
10-13-2010, 06:33 AM
hothotpot

Thanks for sharing where is the showroom?
10-13-2010, 11:11 AM
leadingedge

Quote:

Originally Posted by hothotpot

Thanks for sharing where is the showroom?

The razor collection showroom is out & behind the shop, up a staircase in the same building, but you can't go there by yourself. They have to take you upstairs, it's all under lock & key.

If you plan on going, give them a call first for an appointment. They will be more than happy to show you the museum.

Enjoy!
05-05-2011, 12:14 PM
leadingedge

I'm off to have a proper look at this again on the 12th of May. This time I will try and take some better photos.
05-05-2011, 09:22 PM
Blademen

Straight razor Heaven indeed.