Several Razors...have questions

[TDITim]

I have several razors I am needing some info on....seems like there is not much info out there....
Like the years made....Location, quality and some personal opinions

First One is the "GENCO Fluid Steel"

Next one is "The Oriental Razor" made by "Lion Brand, Manufactured by Yankee Cutlery" has the number 603 on the side of it.

Next one is called "Barlow & Sons Manufacturers Sheffield Corporate Mark ECHO"

Last One for now is I have a "Shumate 256"


Would love some inputs here!!!!!

[Havachat45]

I haven't been at this long enough to be of any use to you regarding the history etc of these razors, however, I would like to have any of them.
By the looks they would clean up nicely and be good shavers, from what I have seen on the forums.
The Genco has a good reputation from what I have seen.
The Barlow and Sons, being Sheffield steel should hone up well also, even with the uneven hone wear.
I think that it is older than 1881 as it does not have 'Sheffield, England' on the tang. (I may have the date wrong)
Sorry I can't help with the rest.
I would just get them honed up, use them and see how they shave IMHO.
Geoff

[TDITim]

From What I can tell the Barlow and Sons is definately early 1800's......ruffly around 1810 to maybe 1820's thats what I have come up with...This is the first restoration I am going to do...I have been making scales.

[roughkype]

American steel (the Genco and maybe the Shumate; don't know about Yankee Cutlery but it sure sounds American) tends to be harder than German, and Sheffield is softer than German. You can hone out your American blades to a much finer grit and they'll keep a good edge out there. If you've got diamond spray or paste on a strop they'll respond well to that, but you may want to follow that up with CrOx paste. CrOx will leave a slightly gentler edge than will diamond.

I don't know any history, but those are all desirable shavers. If you haven't honed a big old smiling wedge before, you might want to check the Wiki first. Look up the Rolling X Stroke. There's already some hone wear there; I'd tape it with a couple of layers or you'll end up with a really tall bevel. Change the tape at each grit change, and use it all the way through your polish. You don't need it on for stropping, though.

Good luck, and show us the finished projects.

[JimmyHAD]

You've got some decent shavers there but the prize of the lot is the Genco AFAIC. I have 8 of the Fluid Steel, like any normal person, and I love the darn things. The one you have is in real nice shape. Get it honed by a pro if you're not expert yourself. SRP classifieds 'member services' has ads by members offering the service at a nominal fee.

[gugi]

From What I can tell the Barlow and Sons is definately early 1800's......ruffly around 1810 to maybe 1820's thats what I have come up with...

Not quite. The manufacturer is supposed to have been active c1828-1856 and the blade definitely fits that period and not the early 1800s.

[manah]

James Barlow & Sons was located in Rockingham Street in 1856, and then Garden Street in 1859. The corporate mark was "ECHO", which had been used by Peter Spurr. James Barlow died on 15 June 1869, aged 78. He was succeeded by his sons, James and John. By the 1870's, the company located Norfolk Street. James died on 20 June 1900. His brother continued the business. Between about 1904-1918, the company address was Era Works, Wheeldon Street, but it had ceased business by 1919.
The blade in the first post was made in 1850's. IMO.

[manah]

it is older than 1881 as it does not have 'Sheffield, England' on the tang. (I may have the date wrong)

It was 1891

[jcsixx]

I think that the Genco may have been made by the Case co. They make good razors and pocket knives. They are still operational.

[BigJim]

@ Manah: You, sir, are a wealth of historical information. Please be sure to entrust your wealth of resources into the hands of another before anything ever happens to you or it. Where you get all of this info is beyond me, but I'd sure hate to ever have it lost!

@ Tim: Tim, I don't know aboout the other razors, but I've got a couple Gencos and have read up on them. The Bradford made Gencos are made by the Case company after it had bought out Geneva Cutlery and relocated production of razors to Bradford. I have one Bradford wedge I got from Larry. It's a great razor. I have another Genco from Geneva New York (Made by Geneva Cutlery Company: Genco) that's a Gold Seal. It is by far my favorite shaver and holds an edge longer than my German blades. (Can't say about the Bradford Genco Wedge as I haven't been shaving with it long enough). Great razor in either case. I believe Case bought out Geneva around 1935 and continued production in Geneva for some 25yrs (around 1960). At that time production was moved to Bradford and continued for about 5yrs before Case dropped the Genco name and just made "Case" razors.

Manah probably has more specifics.

Peace,
Jim