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

**Croaker** · 01-02-2011, 06:26 PM

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

**AntiqueHoosier** · 01-02-2011, 07:05 PM

Great story behind a very handsome blade! I was not aware of this fact.

**Clockguy** · 01-02-2011, 07:27 PM

Thanks for the great story about that razor.....

**Croaker** · 01-02-2011, 07:34 PM

Glad you guys enjoyed the story, I sure did when I read it! The pictures are of two similar Wolfertz razors, one of which just gave me a nice shave. One has lighter Bakelite scales than the other, although they both have a lot of shallow pitting. No effect on the shave quality, though. Both are close to 7/8 in blade width, but just under.

**Catrentshaving** · 01-02-2011, 08:27 PM

Very cool story and nice razors. Thanks for sharing

**jcsixx** · 01-03-2011, 06:15 AM

I live about an hour and a half from Allentown. I'd love to own one of these. I've been dragging my feet about getting razors made in PA. Case seems to be a very reputable brand.

I have a blade that was made in England. It has Peter E Buck and Ashland PA on the tang. Ashland is even closer to me than Allentown. The scales are steel rimmed and are a green material I'm not familiar with. The blade is etched with "Sensation Without Rival Without Peer." Anyone know anything about this brand?

Sorry off topic.

**hoglahoo** · 01-03-2011, 02:53 PM

cool! Now I want to get my paws on one of those razors

**johnmorganjr** · 01-03-2011, 07:27 PM

Very nice razor. You are a lucky man. Great link also.

**baakabak** · 01-03-2011, 08:55 PM

You lucky dog! Pun intended. I was born in Allentown and have been searching for one of those with the Allentown etch on the blade for quite some time.

**Croaker** · 01-03-2011, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by jcsixx

I live about an hour and a half from Allentown. I'd love to own one of these. I've been dragging my feet about getting razors made in PA. Case seems to be a very reputable brand.

I have a blade that was made in England. It has Peter E Buck and Ashland PA on the tang. Ashland is even closer to me than Allentown. The scales are steel rimmed and are a green material I'm not familiar with. The blade is etched with "Sensation Without Rival Without Peer." Anyone know anything about this brand?

Sorry off topic.

Haven't heard of Peter E. Buck! Pennsylvania has a great history of razor manufacturing, with Case the biggest maker. I believe that the Phil Eisemann razors from Lancaster PA may have been made in Germany and imported, but am not sure. Don't have one currently.

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