Thread: Please help to ID this razor

Hi All,
This is one of the two razors I have been cleaning up and I can't seem to identify it.
The only markings that I can find is a very faint 'Mandarin' etched on the blade in Gothic style characters.
It isn't there any more because I had to choose between getting rid of the corrosion and saving the etching.
The only other marks are the intitials 'J.M.' on the scales, which is more of an owners mark than anything else, I think.
Would anyone hazard a guess as to where it comes from and what the scales are made of etc.
TIA
Cheers,
Geoff

The scales are celluloid.
Sorry I can't help you with the manufacturer.

The style is similar to several Thiers-Issard scales. The razor may be French, or the manufactureer just wants to make a razor that reminds people of a fancy French razor. The tang is a very unique shape, but I am not familiar with different styles of tangs. If it shaves, I guess that's all tha matters.

I just finished honing it so we will see in the morning when I try to shave with it.
Many thanks to Glen (gssixgun) for his tremendous video on restoring and honing.
I have managed to get the frown out of it and will post photos in the workshop forum tomorrow.
Thanks for the info oldmanarmy.

Most likely, this nice razor was made by Adolphe Arbenz.
He was in business since about 1892. Manufacturer Ad.Arbenz was from Birmingham, England, but also, he had cutlery business in Lausanne(the French-speaking part), the republic of Switzerland. He was the owner of Mandarin trademark. He made many razors for French market.

I have the exact same razor. I'll post a few pics of mine for you to compare with. Mine was manufactured in the 1890's, and I got it in a lot of 7 other 1890's razors, so i believe manah is right on!!!

Thanks Manah!!

M

Well I don't think that I'm as good at honing as I thought I was.
I tried shaving with this little baby and found it unimpressive.
It dragged and flexed on my skin, however I was in a hurry and am willing to give it another go.
I was probably using too much pressure.
I don't have a real good strop either and with such a thin blade that could have affected it.
I think it is to do with the thinness of the blade or my honing inabilities (the latter I think)
I'll try again on the 8k and see if it makes any difference.
I'd be intersted in any feedback that mjhammer has on this razor and the photos of his.
Thanks for the info m.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted.
Cheers,
Geoff

Hi Havachat45!!

As promised, here's some pics of my old Mandarin.

She's got quite the smile to her, but not as big as the one I'll have when I finally get to use it...

Enjoy!!

Mike





Exactly like yours, isn't it?? heheh, M

They also made framebacks - i got one recently.

I too have the same blade, withe the Mandarin script on blade face, same elegant profile when looking straight down the blade

On the shank, very lightly is stamped Lakeside Cutlery Co. With how light the stamp is, makes sense others may not be viewable if the were stamped similar. As I remember Lakeside was sold at Sears, or somewhere like that