Thread: Who you callin Short?

I stopped by my mom's house for dinner to day. In my family that is the mid day meal. My mom and I were discussing family history (my family got to SC kind of early about 1670 so we have been here a day or two). Any way, as my conversations tend to do we wound up talking about straight razors. The next thing I knew my mom went to the attic and got a razor that was my great grandfather’s. I am excited that I will be able to restore it and shave with his razor and all. But I don’t know the brand. Can any of you guys help me identify who Shorty is?

That's awsome being able to restore and shave with a razor that has meaning to you. My mother can remember by grandfather stropping and honing from when she was a little girl, but the hardware is long gone.

You just do not know how excited I was to know that she had the razor. She just let me know that she thinks there may be another razor there as well. Man usable history is a great thing.

Definitely - I've got a couple from ancestors long past too. There's something very rewarding about restoring a piece of your family history to its former glory.

Sorry, don't know anything about the shorty but I'm sure there are people on here that do. A quick Google search reveals a Geo E. Wagner & Co. shorty up for auction

http://auctions.yahoo.com/i:VINTAGE%...SHORTY:8222881

Don't know if this helps.

James.

What else does it say on the reverse side of the shank and on the scales?

X

Looks like your great-gramps took good care of his shaver

The back of the razor just lists a local barber supply. Columbia Barber Supply, Columbia SC. The name Shorty is also on the scales.


Yea the blade has some hone ware in the middle but other than that it is in great shape for restoration.

Shorty is a trademark used by Imperial knife co. They started in 1917 and controlled cutlery production/distribution in germany, sheffield, canada and usa.

I wish my grandpa didn't use an electric.

Matt
You are the guru of information. I realy appreciate the information.


While I have you. Let me ask you another tech question. Are you able to turn a very very dense wood like Rosewood? I have a small piece of the last cutting from the Queens Forest and would like a brush made from part of it. I also need to know about what size you would need because I would like to make a set of scales for another razor from the same block. I can turn it on my big lathe that I don't like, but I would rather have you do the entire brush if you can.
Thanks

Phillip,

It's not me at all. It's Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings. First published in 1987, it's update and re-issued every few years. I picked up the latest version
(1998 printing) a couple years ago.

It's sometimes a shot in the dark, but it's helped me out more than a few times.

Nothing like finding out an unknown razor with a bland mark is made by the same company that makes a few famous names. Then you can pick them up on ebay under everyone's nose while the well known trademarks from the same parent firm go for big bucks.

Regarding your wood, please explain. I'm not much edjumucated, so I'm not familiar with the Queen's Forest. It sounds interesting to say the least. Generally I cut my brush blanks 1.5" square and 3" long, but you could get away with 1.25" x 2" long, if you wanted a shorter brush. It also depends on the knot size you would like.

For example, a 24mm knot needs at least 30mm diameter of stock left at the top of the brush after contouring, shaping and sanding.

As for turning, kingwood, indian, honduran and brazilian rosewood and cocobolo are allgentically true Dalbergia's and are some of the best woods for turning that are available. The dense wood prevent tearout and provides and excellent finish without too much effort.

Hope this helps. I'm off to google now...