Thread: Razor from the 1890's

In order to help with the problem of dating razors , I submit this for your viewing pleasure . Here is a razor that I can positively date to the 1890's . Howe , Brown & Co. was formed in 1890 , and was a steel , rolling mill that made knives for reaping machines . They were in business until 1900 , when they were bought by Crucible Steel Co. of America . I don't know if they made these razors themselves or if they were made for them . The tang is stamped "Howe , Brown , Co. Ltd. , special steel" , but that doesn't mean they actually made the razors . It would be cool if they did , though .

Judging from the inscription on the blade it was probably a sales promotional item, like keyrings and such are now. Very nice!

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Judging from the inscription on the blade it was probably a sales promotional item, like keyrings and such are now. Very nice!

Yes I'm sure . These were most likely given to their best customers .

Yum, how does it shave?

My compliments to their compliments! That is a very handsome razor.

Originally Posted by AlanII

Yum, how does it shave?

I don't shave with this one . I was going to hone it up , and sell it , but after I researched it and found that it could only have been made between 1890 and 1900 I decided to keep it . It's hard to find razors that can be proven to have been made during a 10 year or shorter window in time . IMHO it's an important razor to have . Since I don't need another 5/8 razor to shave with , I'll just keep it in my collection . Maybe one day I'll decide to hone it , and shave with it , or maybe not .

Old thread - I know, but I'm new here. I picked up a couple of these recently. A little rust, but generally good shape (as far as I can tell so far). They have days stamped on the spine (Wednesday, Thursday, etc). Wondering if you ever honed it and how it works. Also, any idea what the scales are made of? One has a wedge pin (guessing added later) and the other does not (although it is broken and would need a pin in order to return to use.

Welcome to the forum

Yes, Welcome.
We like pictures. With the days of the week on the spines, they came from a seven day set most likely. Vintage razors of that era were made with fine steel so it should hone up nice.

They are pretty rough on the spine but not too bad (to my new and untrained eye) otherwise. A couple broken scales (but split along seam so can be repaired with pin) (photos show one with pin and one w/o). Has original box? in rough shape. I think I may try electrolysis to clean up rust (to try to save the etching). May lose the etching trying to hone but worth a try for rust. Photos below