Thread: $10 straight razor

I had a great shave with this razor this morning. It's a near mint Hill Hardware, Minneapolis with this marking on the other side of the tang. About 2 days on a hard Arkansas(lol), some stropping on canvas and leather and it could cut a hanging hair.
I sent a razor out to get professionally honed but couldn't wait for it to get back, so I tried my hand at sharpening with what I had available. Tomorrow is payday so I'm going to order a proper hone.
My question is, anyone have an idea of who made this razor? And what type of steel? I'm guessing, Crown and American steel. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Like fly-swatters, yardsticks, and pens, hardware stores often ordered razors with their logo on them to sell to their customers. Your best clue will be whatever is imprinted on the back side of the tang.

I have two razors that are stamped ourHown, and I have not been successful at honing either of them to shave ready condition. That, of course, does not mean that they can't be made shave ready... Just at this stage in the honing game for me, they are difficult.

Good luck! Hopefully you'll be able to put a good shaving edge on that one, but if it doesn't work out right away, don't let it discourage you.

Getting it sharp wasn't a problem but it was pretty much like new. The stamp is CUR OWN and whatever is in the middle (stylized HCO, maybe stands for Hill Company). Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by SewerGuy

Getting it sharp wasn't a problem but it was pretty much like new. The stamp is CUR OWN and whatever is in the middle (stylized HCO, maybe stands for Hill Company). Thanks for the help.

Possibly mine are knock offs, or are of a different vintage from the same company, or the licensing was sold at some point... The stamp is slightly different. Mine are very clearly "our own" with a stylized H in the center. The H does not have the vertical line, or the extra o along side of it.

I will see if I can find a picture...

edit: I found a thread asking for information on the markings on mine: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...own-razor.html

I don't know. Looks Welsh.

If I had to guess, it is Our Own with the company initials between. Yours too, HNSB, just a different company.

Pretty sure it's a C on mine unless it didn't stamp correctly. I like the steel.

My guess is that it's a retail branded blade that was probably made in Germany as so many of them were. They are generally very good shavers though.

I just picked up a razor that looks nearly identical. The seller said it was from "Hall Hardware Co. Minneapolis" the stamping is exactly the same. (Now whether they know what they are talking about, well, that,like everything, is up for debate.) American steel from what I can gather. I think that H stamp is supposed to be a double H for Hall Hardware. makes sense to me anyway...

Thanks for the imput. It's a good shaving razor.