Thread: Pair of George Sorby Razors. Any info?

I purchased a gentleman's travel set that included these two razors in perfect condition. The hined up nicely and are great shavers.
I have tried to research the maker with no luck. Lots of info on Robert Sorby but none on George.

Those look nice! George was probably Robert's brother! Ivory? Nice find! ....get it on....Tom

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Those look nice! George was probably Robert's brother! Ivory? Nice find! ....get it on....Tom

Celluloid is my guess Tom.

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

Celluloid is my guess Tom.

Naa, Collarless I think! Fine bone, at least. Beers? I would win!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Naa, Collarless I think! Fine bone, at least. Beers? I would win!

It looks like it has collar's but the pic is grainy when magnified. I'll take that bet though. celluloid or bakelite!!!

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

It looks like it has collar's but the pic is grainy when magnified. I'll take that bet though. celluloid or bakelite!!!

No. They are definitely ivory. Hard to read, but it says on the blade " Warranted Crucible Steel Full Hollow Ground"
Robert Sorby is famous for woodworking tools and is still in business. These razors are early 1800's I think.

The overall shape is more consistent with late 1800's. Early 1800's stuff wouldn't have the double stabiliser, long tail and the pronounced thumb stop. They're very nice looking razors in very good condidtion, just not quite THAT old.
I could of course be wrong, but that's what I see when I look at them.

As far as I can make out there were two 'George Sorby' companies - George Sorby Ltd, Sheffield and George Sorby Steels Ltd, Midlands - both companies are now dissolved and I am not sure that there is a link between them. The most likely link is the Sheffield one - George Sorby is recorded to have made crucible steel and is associated with sites in Brown Street, Effingham Road and Furnival Street in Sheffield.

I'm not sure if there was any link with the Robert Sorby family. Robert Sorby & Sons was registered in 1828. Another, separate company was John Sorby & Sons, going back to 1797. John was Robert's uncle, also a master cutler and producer of edge tools. John's sons John and Henry took over from the father and used the 'I & H Sorby" brand, and were taken over by Lockwood Bros in 1849. Henry only had one son - another henry who became a famous microscopist/natural scientist. Robert Sorby died in 1857 leaving his sons Robert and Thomas in control. Robert died in 1865 and his son - another Robert - took over. This Robert died in 1885 without an heir. When Thomas died control passed to his sons - another Robert and another Thomas.

Robert Sorby's family tree shows no George Sorby.

An advertisement from a Spanish newspaper of 1953 shows an entry for George Sorby Ltd as a foreign supplier:



It is grouped with machine, tool and steel suppliers. The company is also mentioned in a Singapore newspaper of the same period:



Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Str8Shooter

It looks like it has collar's but the pic is grainy when magnified. I'll take that bet though. celluloid or bakelite!!!

Originally Posted by 25609289

No. They are definitely ivory. Hard to read, but it says on the blade " Warranted Crucible Steel Full Hollow Ground"
Robert Sorby is famous for woodworking tools and is still in business. These razors are early 1800's I think.

HA! Paul, it looks like you are the wood guy and I, the ivory guy! Beers anyway??

Originally Posted by sharptonn

HA! Paul, it looks like you are the wood guy and I, the ivory guy! Beers anyway??

Does not look like any ivory I own. Can we get a better photo. Not that I don't trust your judgement but...... Lol.