Thread: Vintage hardware store razors

Hey Guys,

I have read the recommended to buy and to avoid list on the wiki section.

For the most part I have done well. I have a Robeson, Henkels, CW Dahgren Eskilstuna Sweden.

One thing I did not see listed on there are vintage hardware store razors.

I have a couple, one an Osborne Hardware and Tool Co and one a shapleigh hdw. These seem to be decent quality solingen made razors and they are shaving just fine for me. Are most of the vintage Solingen and US made hardware store razors a safe bet to buy on ebay or other places?

I also noticed that the Geo Korn razors are not on either list and The Yankee Razor manf. by Booth and Libby Boston, Mass is also not on either list. Are they decent brands?

I also have one that I am very suspect of. What makes me suspicious is that it is chrome plated. Tanius Basha & Son New York. I only paid like $9 for this one because I liked the scales. If the blade is junk I am taking these scales off and putting them on one of the good blades is have that need scales.

Thanks for the help folks,

Ray

Most of the hardware store razors will be good shavers.
I have seen a few vintage razors that are plated. They have honed up and shaved well.

The recommended list is not comprehensive.
The razors to avoid list is also not comprehensive, but it is more complete. If you spend time memorizing the razors on a list, that would be the one to pay attention to.

Good luck!

Hdwe store razors are usually re branded by the big manufacturer for the smaller retailer.

Thanks for the info guys
Anyone got any info about the Korn and Yankee razors good or bad?

Ray

Ray

Geo. Korn from my info was the Master grinder for the Case brothers, ie: Case, Kinfolks, Cattauragus.. he finally ended up making a line of razors with his own name on them.... I have had a few go through my hands and they are excellent as one would expect..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/vendo...stoms-4th.html

Yankee is one that I have seen maybe 3-4 razors from, I have one myself with a very interesting grind that shaves a dream..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...al-scales.html



Many of the Hardware brands are very good shavers, most are from the well known Razormakers in Solingen, Koeller, ERN, Wald, Koch, etc:

Thanks Gssixgun,

The Yankee I have has a very attractive grind. The top has a bevel on each side of the spine.

Ray

You won't do much better than a Geo Korn razor. These are from the Magical Cutlery Kingdom of western New York. As for plated razors, my only experience is with the nickel(?)-plated Geneva Pyramids, those are excellent. You'll have to judge for yourself whether the Basha is chrome or nickel-plated. Pictures would be nice.