Thread: New mystery French razor!!!

I lived about 20 miles away from Vierzon, en Sologne. There's still weapon's factories there (Matra...), but this razor is from the first part of the XX century, and at this time all other french razors producters remaining were based in Thiers, the others (Langres, Nogent, Sens, Chatellerault) did not managed to reach the new industrial level, that solingen stated. There products were too expensive, and not "up to date" (wedges and not hollow ground à la solingen)

A famous firm like HOSPITALET (grelot) marks a lot of razors for small cutelry shops, with the name of the shop or the owner.

But you could also possibly be right !

regards

Originally Posted by charlie48horlogerie

I lived about 20 miles away from Vierzon, en Sologne. There's still weapon's factories there (Matra...), but this razor is from the first part of the XX century, and at this time all other french razors producters remaining were based in Thiers, the others (Langres, Nogent, Sens, Chatellerault) did not managed to reach the new industrial level, that solingen stated. There products were too expensive, and not "up to date" (wedges and not hollow ground à la solingen)

A famous firm like HOSPITALET (grelot) marks a lot of razors for small cutelry shops, with the name of the shop or the owner.

But you could also possibly be right !

regards

Yes, as I said before, you might be right. However, I don't think that reaching an 'industrial' level is the criterion by which to judge this. Not much is recorded about Rene Dellac, but there are quite a few examples bearing his work - including earlier examples that were more like the 'coupe chou' choppers associated with earlier makers so possibly associated with the elder Dellac. Also, there are numerous examples by others such as Aucoc aine (the Elder, patronised by the King for his jewellery and cutlery skills) that would be included as more of a 'bijou' marque than a mass-producer.

As far as large firms making razors stamped with the names of retailers, that is a given. All the major companies did it - a lot of german companies did it for french retailers, Sheffield companies did it for London and Birmingham outlets all the time, and Dovo still do it.

The thing is, neither of us know for sure and until more documentary evidence turns up, we never will - all we can do is surmise!

Whatever, it is an interesting debate, as I'm sure you will agree!

Regards,
Neil

Interesting debate indeed! I can now see why many people say vintage razors are so much better than modern, the history is incredible. Makes me want to leave the U.S. and head to Europe

Originally Posted by animalwithin

Interesting debate indeed! I can now see why many people say vintage razors are so much better than modern, the history is incredible. Makes me want to leave the U.S. and head to Europe

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Hey animalwithin don´t disparage US razor history so quickly.
I appreciate your point about European cutlery history having the "long tooth" in the world of razors etc, and only a fool would argue that point.
However for some greater perspective please consider (just for example) a country like Australia that doesn´t have one cutlery firm to my knowledge.
I would really really love to have one razor, any razor made from my home country, where as you have so many to choose from.
Just my 0.001c (adjusted for Spanish bank bailout)

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