Thread: Anyone know much about Landers, Frary & Clark razors?

I've recently won an auction on one that I'm looking to use as a first restoration project (has some pitting I think, and some rust, but otherwise looks clean in the photos), but don't know much about the manufacturer. I found a blurb here or there about how they were a household goods company til 1965, and their cutlery branch closed in 1950. If anyone is interested, here's the auction:

http://bit.ly/zmKFGD

Another of the little known American brands that has exceptional steel and will shave circles around many better known names, if you actually look at the raw value on these in the Razor Collector books they are rated much higher then many better known brands too...

Clean it hone it and watch the smile grow

g

A short history of the company:
The Landers, Frary & Clark company was formed in 1862, when the firm of Landers and Smith ourchased Frary and Carey.
They were reorganized in 1865 as Landers Frary & Clark.
In 1866 they purchased a factory from the Meriden Cutlery Co., and began making table cutlery, and fixed blade knives.
In 1909, they purchased the trademark Universal from Levi T.Snow of New Haven, Conn.
In 1912, Landers Frary & Clark purchased the Humason & Beckley Manufacturing Company of New Britain,
and began manufacturing pocket knives and razors.
In 1918, they purchased all of the Meriden Cutlery Company.
In 1950, the cutlery division was discontinued. The firm continued in its other endeavors untill 1965,
when all assets, patents and trademarks were sold to the General Electric Corporation.

Looks great! That's about all the info I've found. Thanks for the help gents. Would you by chance know when did they use celluloid scales?

Celluloid has been around since the 1870's.

LF&C made some fine cutlery in their day. Their pocket knives are pretty collectible and are very well made with good steel. They also made knives and bayonets under contract to the government in WWII.

There is a quite a bit of interesting information about that company on the web if you're interested in reading further.

'Had 2, and got another today at the antique show - a Universal. They've been excellent shavers.

This all is making me impatient to receive mine!

Wullie: Where are you finding info? All the info I have really been able to find so far is pretty much what Manah posted. Haven't been able to find anything in regards to their razors, just the general timeline of their history.

Originally Posted by LaneAtomic

This all is making me impatient to receive mine!

Wullie: Where are you finding info? All the info I have really been able to find so far is pretty much what Manah posted. Haven't been able to find anything in regards to their razors, just the general timeline of their history.

Well?

There's the toaster saga;
The Saga of Landers, Frary and Clark
Which gives insight to the beginning and the end of the company.

and then there's this;
New Britain Industrial Museum » Landers

How about whistles?
Whistle Museum: James D. Frary American whistles, American Whistle Manufacturers & Patents,Pocket Knife Combinations,(3) , A .Strauss

Try Landers, Frary, & Clark
pg469 EAIA Directory of American Tool makers.

Got all that from a post I made re: some pocket knives at another forum a while back.

Guess my rememberer ain't what it used to be. I thought there was more on the web. I apologize.

The company was very innovative for its time and has an interesting history outside of the cutlery end. I've got a couple of their old pocket knives and they are very well made with some great steel in the blades.

Willie

Thanks for the links. Very interesting!

i have a 346 with faux ivory scales w/ a vine and wreath pattern on the scales ,its 1 of my best shavers,and it sings.id rate it up there with my wostenholms.very easy to hone and keeps a keen edge.