Thread: Old Razors (1700's-1800's) - what to look for and how to find them?

Originally Posted by Jimbo

It is quite easy to spot the really old ones on ebay. Look out for seller descriptions like:

"it's really old"
"as used by Genghis Khan and his mongol horde"
"genuine ye olde razor"
"pretty sure this is pre civil war"
"looks really old"
"bronze age, prehistoric razor as used by early hominids to shave down thus increasing speed when chased by velociraptors"

Easy!

James.

Unfortunately James there is a distinct lack of Genghis Khan era mongol razors on the market. Something to do with their natural proclivity to hoard things, I hear (...ouch!...)

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Unfortunately James there is a distinct lack of Genghis Khan era mongol razors on the market. Something to do with their natural proclivity to hoard things, I hear (...ouch!...)

Regards,
Neil

Lets see if I´ve got this pictured correctly.............Genghis Khan with flowing beard on horseback hoarding razors.............could this be the missing link to the discovery of Cordovan?

Virtually no monkey tail, straight scales with no curve. No distinct separation between tang and cutting edge are typical of pre 1800 razors. I have a Rodgers like that and it is an excellent shaver. W&B began as 'Wade' and you see them occasionally. Early 1800s IIRC. Butcher was the USA rep and that is how the two teamed up and W&B became such a large and successful enterprise. That and they made a heck of a razor IME too.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Virtually no monkey tail, straight scales with no curve. No distinct separation between tang and cutting edge are typical of pre 1800 razors. I have a Rodgers like that and it is an excellent shaver. W&B began as 'Wade' and you see them occasionally. Early 1800s IIRC. Butcher was the USA rep and that is how the two teamed up and W&B became such a large and successful enterprise. That and they made a heck of a razor IME too.

Ahh at last..............a ray of wisdom.
Thanks Jimmy for sharing that. Really good pointers that I will refer to in the future :

Yes, this is more great advice - thank you!

One of the razors I was referring to was restored by Glen. It’s the same razor I took camping recently. The second razor is currently on vacation at Glen’s house receiving the same treatment as his cousin – so I don’t have good pictures to post. Does this help?

Yes diyguy it does - thanks! With everyone's great contributions, I'm starting to get a better idea of makes to search for. I'd assume the process of discovering one of these treasures will simply be time consuming. I've been searching eBay a bit - but the old makers aren't real common.

Also diyguy - that blade is beautiful - cant believe how well the resto came out!!

On that I could not find in the wiki is Skidmore.

In the 1821 census there was a Joseph Skidmore, razor & table knife manfr., shown at 30 Bailey Street in Sheffield. In 1829 he was located on Pond Street in Sheffield. This is about right for your razor.

Regards - Walt