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I just bought a razor on eBay that was supposedly a 'Koken Barbers' Supply Company' razor. While I know next to nothing about Koken I have my doubts that this is a quality razor. The steel just looks cheap and there is no name at all on the razor. Any thoughts on this? Again, I'm certainly not a razor expert but I just don't have get a warm fuzzy feeling about this razor.
Thanks for any input.
I'm attaching a few images of the razor.
Attachment 101882
Attachment 101884
IMO if it were a Koken razor it would be marked as such. Koken was a big time barber supplier back in the old days. I have one of their strops. They didn't make razors but I seriously doubt they would have sold razors without their name on it.
The razor actually came with a razor box that has their name and emblem on it. I feel that the box does not belong to the razor and the seller did not realize that and sold it as a Koken. I do tend to agree, if it was a Koken it would have their name on it. I think I ended up with a junk razor and an interesting box...
I have a Koken Army/Navy Razor up on a few posts..matching box as well..probably used during WWI and since its a hair under 6/8...im sure it was well used.
I have a beat up Koken, it is marked.Attachment 101898
I just got a Bocker from the bay. A Bocker Arbolito box, that is, with some little (at least to me) known brand razor inside. My razor looks decent, and it seemed a good deal for a Bocker, not so much for an off brand.
I hope you got a good price on yours; I'd tend to think that you have a Koken box and an unknown razor on your hands.
Marcos.
I hate the bay... but I just can't stay away. I can't help myself.
Here is a pic of a KOKEN army navy razor showing the stamp. Sorry it's not the best picture, but it is clearly marked "KOKEN St. Louis U.S.".
Attachment 101998
I did get it cheap, about $8, but for a 'Selective' grade razor that's still $8 too much. My fault for not doing my homework on this razor before purchasing, I'll need to pay closer attention next time. live and learn...
I have a few Koken razors and all have KOKEN somewhere on them, but one of them is actually a really light etch that would probably come off is someone would take it to a buffer.
FWIW --
Before I worried about "who made it?", I'd look really hard at the edge, about 3/4" away from the heel.
In the photo, there are a few highlights that show up right at the edge. If those are sideways dents in the edge (which is what they look like), that razor will be a real problem to hone. And it may _never_ develop a proper (straight) cutting edge.
Charles
