Thread: C.F. Wolfertz & Co. "Dog Powered Razor Grinding"

I just bought one of these myself in at a little shop in Quakertown. Paid $12 for it. I'm so brand new to straight razor shaving that I haven't even tried it yet. I figured I'd find a decent vintage one and make it usable again. The blade's in good condition, no nicks or anything. It had a little bit of rust on the spine, which I removed gently with a dremel attachment. I gave it a little soak in a solution of diluted vinegar with a small amount of baking soda which really got the old grime off. My next step is to hand-sand and polish with some jeweler's compound and hopefully have a nice, shiny and usable razor. I know how to hone it, I just need to get a whetstone and strop and I'm off to the races.

My razor looks pretty much exactly like the one in the picture...only difference is that mine doesn't say "ALLENTOWN" on the blade...it's completely blank. Anyone know if that's normal? Also, it looks like the scales are bakelite or something similar.

I'd love to hear any more info on this thing...I've been interested in straight razor shaving for about a week now (no joke) but I can tell that it's going to be quite addicting already.

I'm pretty glad that I got a good quality blade without even trying, it seems.

Glad you found a Wolfertz! I still have 2 of mine in the shaving rotation. Could you please post a picture of yours, especially showing the tang markings? What is the blade width? They seem to run mostly 6/8 from the ones I have seen and acquired.

I'm not fully certain, but it seems to be 5/8 or 6/8. I'll measure it and post a picture once I get it back...I sent it out for honing.

Originally Posted by Croaker

If anyone else has a C.F. Wolfertz razor, which were made in Allentown PA under various reorganiziations of the company from 1862-1944, please post pictures of them! They were made of high quality American steel, and it is interesting that when C.F. Wolfertz first set up his cutlery factory, he used dogs to power the grinding wheels! I can only imagine the clatter of machinery and the cacophony of barking dogs, heard daily in the shop. Later he converted to steam. This piece of history came from an article in a free Google e-book called "Manufacturing and Mercantile Resources of the Lehigh Valley", which goes into much detail about the company operations and history.

Manufacturing and mercantile ... - Google Books

That's great info, Croaker! I have an old book somewhere with some pics of dogs in a razor factory. It seems that they weren't too particular how the wheels were powered - some illustrations show boys sat in the rafters turning a wheel joined by a belt to a larger grind-wheel, others show men moving large wheels and some show dogs. It seems that the continental grinders preferred dogs for two reasons: not only to turn the wheels, but also because it was cold in the factories. French razor grinders, unlike others, lay down over the wheel to grind and their legs often got cold, so they used to bring dogs to work with them. The dogs sat on their legs keeping them warm and also adding a bit of leverage. Now if only they could have taught them to grind...

Regards,
Neil

As a PA native, I'm proud to own this razor. It needs a little TLC but has great potential. The smile will put my hone skills to the test for sure!

I have a few wolfertz razors. They are great. About the Phil Eisenmann razors, he was a custom shaving mug maker that made a huge amount on the mugs and started importing razor blanks and customizing them and grinding them. Phil was a cousin of my great great grandfather. Although very distant it is cool to have that history in my tree. I've been trying to acquire many of his blades, and failing horribly.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

That's great info, Croaker! I have an old book somewhere with some pics of dogs in a razor factory. It seems that they weren't too particular how the wheels were powered - some illustrations show boys sat in the rafters turning a wheel joined by a belt to a larger grind-wheel, others show men moving large wheels and some show dogs. It seems that the continental grinders preferred dogs for two reasons: not only to turn the wheels, but also because it was cold in the factories. French razor grinders, unlike others, lay down over the wheel to grind and their legs often got cold, so they used to bring dogs to work with them. The dogs sat on their legs keeping them warm and also adding a bit of leverage. Now if only they could have taught them to grind...

Regards,
Neil

I love more information on the razor I have

I have posted a couple pics of the one I came across in a old garage wanting more information on value as and want of please

Check strazors.com

I cant make out the name on the tang. Value we dont do! Its worth what you would pay for it. Or look up similar razors on ebay for a guess of worth.