Henry Harrington Razor, America's first cutlery manufacturer

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12-09-2011, 01:37 AM
ajkenne

7 Attachment(s)

Henry Harrington Razor, America's first cutlery manufacturer

Just acquired a rather unusual and probably rare early American manufactured razor on eBay. Removed some of the rust and was able to read that it states "Steel Superior to all others, Manufactured by Henry Harrington, cutler to the people, Southbridge Mass". It has a small heart and eagle trademark on the tang as well. Did some initial research on the web and Henry Harrington is credited with starting the first cutlery in the US in 1818 in Southbridge, MA. Also reread both of the Henry T. Lummus articles in Antiques magazine and Harrington is mentioned in both the 1922 and 1927 articles. The photo 19 in the later article is very similar to this razor. Believe this razor could have some historic significance or value? The condition of the blade is good with some removable rust and water stains. It has a very small chip at the end/point. One scale (scales are probably ivory or bone?) is good, the other is damaged at the pivot. It has three of its four brass washers. Not really sure as to what I should do next and thought I'd ask for your input? I have done some restoration work but this may be over my head. Should it even be restored? I'll post some photos and include some additional history and would appreciate all comments and recommendations.

Thanks, Austin

History

Harrington Cutlery Company

The Harrington Cutlery Company was established in 1818, in Southbridge, Massachusetts by Henry Harrington, a New England craftsman and inventor. The Harrington Cutlery company was the first cutlery manufacturing company established in the United States. Harrington manufactured surgical equipment, shoe knives and firearms. Some of his firearms are on display at the Old Sturbridge Village Museum in Sturbridge, MA. In 1884, Harrington introduced the Dexter trade name. Named after one of his sons, Dexter Harrington, the Dexter line of kitchen and table cutlery became known for its high quality in American homes and restaurants.
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Harrington Cutlery Company 1920 Marcy Street

DIGITAL TREASURES : Item Viewer

Dexter-Russell, Inc.

Dexter-Russell, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of professional cutlery in the United States. Throughout our long and rich history, we have maintained a tradition of excellence in both materials and workmanship. Our company is the proud successor to the two oldest American cutlery manufacturers: The Harrington Cutlery Company and the John Russell Cutlery Company.
Henry Harrington, a New England craftsman and inventor, established the first cutlery company in the United States on June 18, 1818 in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Harrington manufactured surgical equipment and shoe knives, as well as well crafted firearms. As his cutlery line expanded, he gradually discontinued his firearm business. In 1884, Harrington introduced the Dexter trade name. The Dexter line of fine kitchen and table cutlery soon gained a reputation for quality in America's homes and restaurants.
12-09-2011, 02:02 AM
nun2sharp

What a great find, be sure to pat yourself on the back!
12-09-2011, 09:00 PM
dave5225

Considering , the majority of razors before 1890 came from England , that razor is pretty rare . IMHO , it's a keeper . Try some Flitz or Maas metal polish with a 0000 abrasive pad , to clean it up . I would try to aviod using sand paper because I would not want scratches on the blade . It's what they call a "frame back" razor , and it looks to be pre-1850 . Maybe 1830's . The scales look like they're made of bone . Nice find !
12-09-2011, 10:43 PM
thebigspendur

That one will take some work but it's worth doing it right. The rust is probably too deep for a paste cleaner. maybe cape cod cloths if you're willing to spend a lot of time rubbing. Otherwise sanding might be the only way to go. Start conservative and see what happens.
12-10-2011, 01:37 PM
ajkenne

Thanks. I have tried the MAAS for about 3-4 hours and most of the rust has come off. Starting to look good and glad I waited on the sandpaper. May still have to use a very fine grit to so the final clean up. Agree with you estimate on age as pre 1850 closer to 1830 but even that is hard to say with an American blade. It is a very thin razor, has a short tail, and seems to be stainless steel. Believe as you suggest that scales are bone rather than ivory. Probably cow bone with its yellow vice white hue of camel. Believe I try to duplicate the damaged scale and fabricate the missing washer. Believe I could do it. Anybody have a similar replacement washer?
12-10-2011, 02:07 PM
dave5225

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajkenne

Believe I try to duplicate the damaged scale and fabricate the missing washer. Believe I could do it. Anybody have a similar replacement washer?

Yes , it's too bad the scale is broken . If you're going to shave with it you'll have to fix it . If you're not going to shave with it , you can leave it as is . To find a washer , you can look on ebay for a razor that has the same washers , but has damage (broken blade/scales) that make it only good as a parts razor .
12-10-2011, 03:27 PM
nicknbleeding

WOAH! Sweet find and a rare one
12-10-2011, 04:54 PM
ajkenne

I'll keep looking for bone handles on eBay, there are a few possibilities occasionally but the real issue is finding these particular washers. Never seen another design quite like them. Maybe others have....Not even sure what they are made out of. Don't seem to be brass nor nickel silver as they are quite thin and are probably steel or mixture.
12-10-2011, 05:49 PM
Theseus

First off, awesome find and beautiful razor. As far as the pins and washers, they may be sterling silver. I've seen plenty of old razors with sterling fittings, especially on bone or ivory scales.
12-10-2011, 08:50 PM
ajkenne

These washers could be silver as they have not rusted and shine up nicely when buffed. The scales may be ivory as Harrington apparently worked with ivory scales. Note the presentation razor that was given to Henry Clay in 1832. Mine is similar but seems a bit older than this one based on the tail/tang. That is merely a guess on my part. That is the only reference I could find to another Harrington razor. Tells me it is worth something!

American Made Straight Razor Acid-Etched Presentation Razor for Henry Clay, - Cowan's Auctions
12-22-2011, 07:43 PM
ajkenne

8 Attachment(s)

Photos of Henry Harrington Refurbished

Well, I finished up the restoration. Ended up having to rescale it but tried to stay with the original design and materials. Used cow bone and it seems to give it a nice yellow tone, similar to the original scales. Reused three of the original washers, the original horn wedge, and pinned it with silver nickel. I removed all of the rust but left the watermarks in tact which shows its age. Hope to take out the small nick on the tip of the blade when I hone it. Should be a good shaver for my rotation.
12-22-2011, 07:48 PM
Joed

Very nicely done and I think it's great that you stayed with the original design as much as possible. Quite a unique blade design too. Keep them coming!
12-11-2013, 09:57 PM
souschefdude

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajkenne

Thanks. I have tried the MAAS for about 3-4 hours and most of the rust has come off. Starting to look good and glad I waited on the sandpaper. May still have to use a very fine grit to so the final clean up. Agree with you estimate on age as pre 1850 closer to 1830 but even that is hard to say with an American blade. It is a very thin razor, has a short tail, and seems to be stainless steel. Believe as you suggest that scales are bone rather than ivory. Probably cow bone with its yellow vice white hue of camel. Believe I try to duplicate the damaged scale and fabricate the missing washer. Believe I could do it. Anybody have a similar replacement washer?

I have a stub I am restoring. Could you detail the blade rust removal technique? I like how yours finished up.
12-12-2013, 03:06 AM
ajkenne

It really depends on how much rust you have. If it is heavy rust with deep pits I'll use my buffing wheel applying either a brush-on compound starting at LB 150, LB320, then LB 600 or the greaseless compound Satin Glo using progressive grit from 180, 240, 400, 600. At that point I then move to the hard solid block white rubbing compound and finish up with the green high gloss. All of this is available from Jantz Suppy Co. or other knife repair companies, such as Texas Knife Supply, etc. Google either to find their site.

For this particular razor all I had to so was use a little white compound and finished it of with MAAS. Didn't want to take much off nor to shine it up too much as I wanted to retain most of its patina. Hope this helps.
12-12-2013, 03:15 AM
souschefdude

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajkenne

It really depends on how much rust you have. If it is heavy rust with deep pits I'll use my buffing wheel applying either a brush-on compound starting at LB 150, LB320, then LB 600 or the greaseless compound Satin Glo using progressive grit from 180, 240, 400, 600. At that point I then move to the hard solid block white rubbing compound and finish up with the green high gloss. All of this is available from Jantz Suppy Co. or other knife repair companies, such as Texas Knife Supply, etc. Google either to find their site.

For this particular razor all I had to so was use a little white compound and finished it of with MAAS. Didn't want to take much off nor to shine it up too much as I wanted to retain most of its patina. Hope this helps.

Overall not alot of rust, though a couple of "clumps".
I would like to leave a patina look like yours.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ed-please.html
12-12-2013, 11:19 AM
ajkenne

Wow what a great stub tail razor! That is a real beauty. I would not start with the buffer regrind... this will need some hand sanding and I would proceed very slowly with this project. The progressive hand sanding I do is similar to what havachat34 suggests to Ryanjewell's similar restore (links in in your string). I use a small stick with leather attached to one end to do my progressive sanding (finger safety). Use same tool for the MAAS polishing. How far you take this is up to your own taste. I would not shine this up too much as it took years to get this beautiful patina. Great find....

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...lp-needed.html

I would do my best to restore those beautiful horn scales and original washers. Layering with CA glue and a 24 hour soaking in neatsfoot oil, then a good overall progressive sanding would bring these beauties back to life. See this recent posting on repair of delaminating scales for details.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...nd-scales.html

Can't help much with your ID/maker. Age I'd say is about 1820s or so based on the shape of the tang. Could be earlier but that would be my guess.
12-12-2013, 11:27 AM
souschefdude

I am taking this so slow I havent even started yet.
Unfortunately the rear scale was so brittle and bug bitten it broke. But
I will attempt to restore the front scale.
Definitely going to hand restore this one.
12-12-2013, 03:45 PM
ajkenne

That happens a lot when removing pins especially those with worm holes and those that are delaminating. Just part of the process. I try to save all the parts, replace parts from the period if possible, otherwise new scales, collars/pins similar to the originals. Just a thought and best of luck with your restore. Pls post a picture when finished. It will be a beauty!