Thread: Jospeh Elliot Razor found in dads old shed

My mom and dad recently passed within 5 months of each other and I am doing a clean out - was looking for a few small items to keep and found what I thought was a knife until I looke dup the name on it -
I have been unable to locate photos that resemble the handle on this..
its the one with the black on it.
maybe its been modified...?
anyone have any info? It would be greatly appreciated.

pic attached

They have definitely been modified. Why, I have no idea. My condolences on the passing of your parents.

They look like patch knives, used to cut pillow ticking squares for muzzle loading rifles.

The one in black actually says on the other side
Joseph Elliots Celebrated razor - I could not get a good photo to show printing without glare - The other Ive no idea -
One dealer that came through wanted it (the one with the gold metal on it)
Said it was a tool from the micmac indians - said he could tell from the handle- another said tramp art, no straight answers from anyone.
I am keeping them as they are interesting to me -
no idea why the razor was modified - Thinking maybe the handle was made because the original was missing. I think the razor belonged to my uncle from Maine - I have posted all sorts old items on my FB page -
The old tools my dad collected -well some are amazing ... to me anyway.
Wish I could keep everything. But I just cant.

Originally Posted by Croaker

They look like patch knives, used to cut pillow ticking squares for muzzle loading rifles.

great idea!!! i have a few straights that just might be demoted for cutting the patch on the old smokepole.

Originally Posted by Leonita

Said it was a tool from the micmac indians - said he could tell from the handle- another said tramp art, no straight answers from anyone.
I

Mimac knives are unique in that their handles are swept-back like those on your modified razors. I can't remember why they did that, but it had something to do with the function of the knife... I'll see if I can find my information on that. My guess is that at some point in their lives the razors were more useful as knives that as shaving tools, and so they were quite artfully made into knives.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Mimac knives are unique in that their handles are swept-back like those on your modified razors. I can't remember why they did that, but it had something to do with the function of the knife... I'll see if I can find my information on that. My guess is that at some point in their lives the razors were more useful as knives that as shaving tools, and so they were quite artfully made into knives.

Thanks for that! I really do appreciate that!