Thread: Several Razors...have questions

I have a razor with the same “The Celebrated Oriental Razor” etched on the blade. My razor was manufactured by Matador and made in Germany. I have a Yankee Cutlery Co. razor #928. It says Magnetized and was also made in Germany. I guess branding and company name changes were as popular then as now.

By the way, The Celebrated Oriental Razor gives a great shave.

In 1936, W. R. Case & Sons acquire razor stocks and trademark of Genco Corporation.
And the stamp became: Genco Co. Bradford PA.

This Genco Fluid Steel razor, from catalog 1922, was made by Geneva Cutlery Co.:

Originally Posted by manah

In 1936, W. R. Case & Sons acquire razor stocks and trademark of Genco Corporation.
And the stamp became: Genco Co. Bradford PA.

This Genco Fluid Steel razor, from catalog 1922, was made by Geneva Cutlery Co.:

So...Is that to say that Genco's made post 1936, even if produced in Geneva New York were stamped "Genco Co Bradford PA"? Or, is the information that Case maintained production in Geneva incorrect? Thanks!

Jim

post 1936

Geneva Cutlery didn't have "post 1936".
In 1935, Geneva Cutlery Inc. became a part of the Edward Katzinger Company of Chicago, Illinois.
The name was then changed to Geneva Forge. They made all types of cutlery under the trademark EKCO.

Originally Posted by manah

Geneva Cutlery didn't have "post 1936".
In 1935, Geneva Cutlery Inc. became a part of the Edward Katzinger Company of Chicago, Illinois.
The name was then changed to Geneva Forge. They made all types of cutlery under the trademark EKCO.

Thanks, but that doesn't answer my question. I've read several places that after Case acquired the Genco name they continued to produce razors at the Geneva plant. Some sources have suggested that Case continued to produce Genco razors at the Geneva, NY plant for as many as 25yrs before transferring production to their Bradford, PA plant. The result would be that "Genco" Geneva Cutlery razors were produced by Geneva Cutlery in Geneva, NY until 1935; that "Genco" Genco, Co. razors were produced by Case in Geneva, NY until as late as 1960; and that "Genco" Genco, Co. Bradford, PA. razors were produced by Case in Bradford, PA from as late as 1960 to as late as 1965. This could all be wrong, as it's pulling information from several other sources which may or may not have had all the facts...but this is my understanding at this point.

Your information seems to indicate that Geneva Cutlery Company in Geneva, NY produced Genco razors until 1935, and then sold rights to the "Genco" name in 1936 to Case, at which point Case began to produce razors in Bradford, PA (not continuing production in Geneva, NY) with the Genco Co name. That would contradict some of the information I have found in the past, but your sources may be more accurate. I'm just asking if I understand you correctly.

You've asked a deep question.
So. What we have:
1. The razor division and the trademark "Genco" was sold in 1936 to Case.
2. Since 1935, Geneva was a part of the Edward Katzinger Company of Chicago.
3. The forge in Geneva NY was closed in 1960 and moved to Chicago.
4. Genco - A trademark used from 1916-1935 by Geneva Cutlery and from 1936-1965 by W.R. Case & Sons.

From Case Knife History, by Bob Wurzelbacher:
"Depression, W.R. Case & Sons acquired the equipment to produce household cutlery and, in 1936, patented Concave Ground Household Knives. It was also in 1936 that Case bought the Genco Company, manufacturers of straight razors."

From Case Chronology:
1936: W. R. Case & Sons acquire razor stocks and trademark of Genco Corporation.

I'm not ready to answer now, who used Geneva NY forge till 1960, Edward Katzinger or Case.
I think - Edward Katzinger Company of Chicago, because after 1960, it was moved to Chicago.
But Case continued to make Genco razors till 1965 without that forge.
But this is only my opinion.
I'll try to find some info.

Originally Posted by manah

You've asked a deep question.
So. What we have:
1. The razor division and the trademark "Genco" was sold in 1936 to Case.
2. Since 1935, Geneva was a part of the Edward Katzinger Company of Chicago.
3. The forge in Geneva NY was closed in 1960 and moved to Chicago.
4. Genco - A trademark used from 1916-1935 by Geneva Cutlery and from 1936-1965 by W.R. Case & Sons.

From Case Knife History, by Bob Wurzelbacher:
"Depression, W.R. Case & Sons acquired the equipment to produce household cutlery and, in 1936, patented Concave Ground Household Knives. It was also in 1936 that Case bought the Genco Company, manufacturers of straight razors."

From Case Chronology:
1936: W. R. Case & Sons acquire razor stocks and trademark of Genco Corporation.

Indeed. It would appear that these are the facts. How they all pertain to razors; it may not be possible to deduce. Suffice it to say that the Bradford stamped razors were certainly Case produced. The Geneva stamped razors may have been produced by Geneva Cutlery prior to 35, or possibly by Case post 35, but determining that will take more work.

Your avatar suits you.

I am very confused now.....so where can find out some definate answers on THE GENCO
Well.....you guys sure do have alot of knowledge...WOW
And yes the Oriental Razor does have a great shave.

Originally Posted by TDITim

I am very confused now.....so where can find out some definate answers on THE GENCO
Well.....you guys sure do have alot of knowledge...WOW
And yes the Oriental Razor does have a great shave.

The facts are in Manah's posts above, cited from books and sources online. There may be more facts to be had about Genco razors, but so far as YOUR razor is concerned, it was made by Case sometime before 1965. That's what we know. It may have been made between 60-65 which would be a pretty narrow window of time to narrow it down to. (I'd be pretty happy to be able to zone in on when my razors were made to within five years!) BUT, there's a possibility that it was made between 36-65, which is still a pretty good window to narrow things down to in the razor world (from what I've seen).