Thread: Heirloom Razors, need help identifying.

Hi, i just received two straight razors from my Grandmother for Valentines day. They belonged to my great grandfather and i would like to know a little more about them. I am not familiar with the brands. The first is a Fredrick Reynolds Sheffield, the second is a Henry sears and sons 1865. The box on the second is marked H. Henry Hill Solingen Germany, Blue steel. Please let me know what you think and share what knowledge you might have about these razors. First razor:

Here is the secound razor ( Henry and Sears)

You're right about the Frederick Reynolds. It looks a little rough, but the edge looks fine. They are great shavers. If you restore it won't be disappointed.

The second one is in better shape and has a great spine. I like the scallops. Can you post a PIC of the spine itself and another from the other side of the tang so we can see any other manufacturere info?

Congratulations! Fantastic Valentines gift from Gramms. She must really love you.

those are very nice, quite the treat for valentines day

A Derbyshire-born razor manufacturer, Frederick Reynolds, was working in Sims Croft by the early 1840s. By 1849, the address was School Croft. In about 1860, he moved to Gell Street and, according to the Census, employed fifteen men. He continued to trade into the 1870s, when the address was Monmouth Lane. Frederick Reynolds died on 22 October 1877, aged 63.
His son, Richard Reynolds continued to manufacture razors in Monmouth Lane and Gell Street into the 20th century. In the early 1920s, the firm adopted limited liability status.
The firm was in financial difficulties in 1936. During the WWII, the firm was restyled Frederick Reynolds (Cutlers Sheffield) Ltd. The company ceased trading in the late 1940s, after the death of the founder's grandson Harry Reynolds. He died in 1946, aged 56.
Reynolds, Frederick - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Hi - what a nice gift!

Henry Sears & Son
According to Levine they located at St Paul, Minnesota, often had "1865" imprinted on the tang. Made knives and razors. Razor brands include "Queen" and "Paragon" but apparently both knives and razors were made by many others for Sears. The company was originally a Chicago firm called Henry Sears & Co. The brand was sold again in 1878 and appeared on knives until 1959.

However, according to Goins:
Henry Sears & Co. Prussia - c 1865-1879
Henry Sears & Son Prussia c 1883-1897
Founded in 1865 as Henry Sears & Company in Rockford, Illinois.
The business became the Henry Sears manufacturing company in 1879, and in 1883 the name became Henry Sears & Son.
From 1879 to 1881, the Henry Sears Manufacturing Company operated a factory in Middlebury, Conneticut. This factory was either moved to Illinois or closed by 1881. The business was moved in 1885 to Chicago, but Henry Sears retained a residence in Rockford. In 1897, the company was sold to Farwell-Ozmun-Kirk & Company Hardware of St.Paul, Minnesota."

Regards,
Neil