Thread: found at the antique store

Hey all,
I am a newb and got my first straight for Christmas. This afternoon I stopped in at a local antique shop to look around and saw a straight razor box! I almost freaked out. I went ahead and purchased it because the blade looked pretty good overall. Trouble is, I can't find anything out about it at the moment. I'm trying to get an idea if its worth the trouble of cleaning it up and such. I am attaching pics of razor and box. I don't think the box is original to the razor, but one of you experts might be able to tell me. Any thoughts? Would it be a good shaver if properly restored (not by me of course!). Thank you all for the help. Oh, I paid $25 for it.

Cant tell you anything about the maker, but the scales appear to be bone. I would say Its definitely worth getting up and running. Should clean up nice.
Grant

Interesting. The dealer said he thought the scales were bone as well. Thanks a lot for your opinion. Definitely a fun find.

Here is what I found on Yankee Cutlery Co

YANKEE CUTLERY CO
Trademark of Reichard until 1933, then of American Safety Razor
ca. 1903 - 1953

oh nice. well, it's old then! that's cool.

If I read GOINS" corrrectly, Lion Brand is a mark of J. Reichard of 66 Duane St. NY. They became Reichard & Scheuber and later became American Safety Razor Co.
Some day you may find a box that matches. In my travels the boxes match less than half the time.

And this is what damascus steel is:

Damascus steel was a term used by several Western cultures from the Medieval period onward to describe a type of steel used in Middle Eastern swordmaking from about 1100 to 1700 AD. These swords are characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water. Such blades were reputed to be not only tough and resistant to shattering, but capable of being honed to a sharp and resilient edge.

Wow, Castel33! Thanks for so much info. Great stuff!
~idkid

Nice find. Looks like it should be a good one.

well for 25$ i say you made out good, send her off for a good cleaning and a honing and i think she will make a great piece to your setup.