Thread: Cut Throat Razor, Really ?!?!

Originally Posted by radix7508

Ha, I think its just a silly term made up by scaredycats! What they don't understand, too bad for them. What they are scared of, let them. I thought straights were 'dangerous' prior to taking on the challenge of them. So far, I still have yet to cut my throat with them! lol

I'm assuming you speak in jest, but in case you aren't, the term Cut-Throat razor is very British/Australian usage. The term Straight razor is (nearly) always met with blank stares in Australia.

Originally Posted by havana

"Cutthroat" simply means "Knife that folds into it's self".
Tad overused huh?

Are you sure of that meaning? Source of information please, as I believe you might be mistaken.

Originally Posted by DevilBlade

I'm pretty sure the name came from some seriously unpleasant incidents. And the old Sweeney Todd stories from the 1880's (written before Jack the Ripper committed his atrocities) probably had something to do with it also. For myself, people seem to know when I say "straight razor" what I am talking about. One guy responded, "what are you, crazy?!" Personally, I like the name "cutthroat" because it not only has that horror movie mystique to it, but also indicates a serious and unforgiving pasttime. Do you know that people have written books on how to fight with straight razors? Apparently, there are people who carry them like knives for self-defense.

In 1920's Sydney, Australia there were areas where you would not dare to venture (There still are of course, and for similar reasons) due to the prolific nature of the 'Razor Gangs' in the area. Cut-Throat razors were the tool of choice. They were well documented at the time, and, more recently, there was a bloke who ran a GPS tour based game in the areas frequented by them, with interesting facts and information. The same bloke has a book on knife fighting and knife defense and at the time of the GPS game tour, demonstrated what a Cut-throat razor could do to ya mum's sunday roast leg of pork or some such meaty item. I wouldn't want to try shaving with any of his razors though.


I personally prefer the name 'Cut-Throat' razor. Whether that is because of hearing it used in reference to razors and never having heard of the term Straight razor until recent years, has anything to do with it I don't know, but 'Straight razor' just sounds odd to me.
I believe they were just called razors up until the need to differentiate between the new fangled "Safety" razor came about.


Mick

Originally Posted by MickR

I'm assuming you speak in jest, but in case you aren't, the term Cut-Throat razor is very British/Australian usage. The term Straight razor is (nearly) always met with blank stares in Australia.



Are you sure of that meaning? Source of information please, as I believe you might be mistaken.




In 1920's Sydney, Australia there were areas where you would not dare to venture (There still are of course, and for similar reasons) due to the prolific nature of the 'Razor Gangs' in the area. Cut-Throat razors were the tool of choice. They were well documented at the time, and, more recently, there was a bloke who ran a GPS tour based game in the areas frequented by them, with interesting facts and information. The same bloke has a book on knife fighting and knife defense and at the time of the GPS game tour, demonstrated what a Cut-throat razor could do to ya mum's sunday roast leg of pork or some such meaty item. I wouldn't want to try shaving with any of his razors though.


I personally prefer the name 'Cut-Throat' razor. Whether that is because of hearing it used in reference to razors and never having heard of the term Straight razor until recent years, has anything to do with it I don't know, but 'Straight razor' just sounds odd to me.
I believe they were just called razors up until the need to differentiate between the new fangled "Safety" razor came about.


Mick

My StepDad(RIP)used to tell me about the razor gangs in Glasgow....That's some wicked stuff !