Thread: First (new to me) straight razor, and I'm not too sure what I have

Hello everyone,

I am fairly new to the straight razor world, having just picked up my first one today. I bought it not knowing exactly what it was, but figured that I could at least use it for practice on restoring, honing, and stropping. Now that I have it I am curious as to what it is, so I figured I would pick your brains.

It came with a box that reads Geneva Cutlery Co. Geneva, NY at one end of the box, and Genco Gold Seal on the other. The box is in pretty rough shape. What is more confusing is that the markings on the blade, while slightly hard to read, from what I can see is "ORRE" "ATOR" "CES" "ASS.", which lead me to believe that it was a J.R. Torrey razor (in an incorrect box) from Worcester, Mass, but I am not too sure what the "ATOR" would be for. From what I read, they are pretty good quality, which is what lead me to pick it up. It has some rusting, by I feel that it will clean up quite nicely.

The spine is 5 3/8" long from tip of tang to tip of spine and the spine is 3/16" thick. The top of the spine to the bottom of the blade is 5/8".

Let me know what you think and feel free to help me on information on the manufacturer, model, steel, value (curious to see if I got my money's worth while I am at it), overall if it is a good piece, and anything else!

Thanks in advance for all the help guys!


Took a couple pictures as they will do better justice that I will.

Nice razor, clean her up & let us see some more pics.

Sounds like a J R Torrey Razor Co Worcester Mass.

ATOR was a trade name of ERN razors if I recall correctly.

As for the mis matched box? Probably more old razors out there in the wrong boxes than the right ones nowadays.

Welcome to SRP.

Judging from look of the spine and the wide bevel I'd say that razor has quite a bit of hone wear. Not to say it will be unusable, which is hard to tell by pictures. I'd recommend sending it off to a local honemeister to evaluate the edge and, if it's possible, sharpen it for you. I'm not trying to get you down, just being honest.

BTW - Sorry, but valuations are not allowed at SRP so we can't help you there.....