Thread: Gun show find

Both the box and the razor are in pretty good shape, but the blade needs a little work. A tiny frown near the very crisp point and some surface rust that someone scrubbed off.

I'll probably polish this one up and use it well.

Only marks on it are visible in photos
"Germany" on obverse tang
"German Hollow Ground" on face etch

Also the tail is actually a little sharp at the point of the hook (not like a blade, but the point feels sharp to the touch and is not rounded or relieved at all)

Any info on this blade would be appreciated. I got a very good price on it
Sorry, not great photos, but hopefully good enough. Thanks for any help that you gents you can offer!

Looks nice. I like the scales. The appear to be either bone or ivory. Probably bone, but it's hard to tell from the photo. I like that point on the toe. The razor should polish up real nice.

Originally Posted by IamSt8ght

Looks nice. I like the scales. The appear to be either bone or ivory. Probably bone, but it's hard to tell from the photo. I like that point on the toe. The razor should polish up real nice.

I agree, it should clean up nicely. I am leaning toward bone on the scales...I have no experience with ivory, but there are washers on the pins, and I have read that they don't use washers on ivory (passes the hot needle test). Also, the blade is not overly adorned with...well...much of anything, so I figure it is not a very expensive piece (when it retailed)...according to my research, The Torrey Razor Co. operated from 1880 to 1963...and something tells me this one is a later model (though it is only a guess)

If anyone cares, I paid less than I spent in the coffee shop yesterday morning to get this

The scales are bone, nice looking razor.

Well, aren't Torreys american made razors? I don't believe that the razor is a Torrey.

Could be any number of brands or makers... It looks like a nice razor though, should polish up nicely and shave well!

Razor is probably not a Torrey, but nice score. Every Torrey I have seen is labled as a Torrey on the tang. Also Torreys are almost all US made, except for some very early razors.

Originally Posted by sheajohnw

Razor is probably not a Torrey, but nice score. Every Torrey I have seen is labled as a Torrey on the tang. Also Torreys are almost all US made, except for some very early razors.

According to Strazor, the Torrey razors before 1880 were imported from Sweden and England, so even if it were a pre-american fabricated razor it wouldn't say Germany.
There are several companies that sold "German Hollow Ground," razors, sorry I can't be of more help!

http://strazors.com/index.php?id=67&...orcester_mass_

Well I certainly do appreciate the help thus far!

I feared it may not be the correct box. Not that I have much love or use for boxes anyway. I suppose some guys collect them?

Well, I just wanted a honing opportunity and another square point for my drawer...but having something rare would have been a plus (though I was confident that it was not rare or particularly old).

I still feel like I stole a nice shaver

If anyone has any more info, I appreciate it. There is not much to go on I'm afraid.

The pins look fairly cheaply set...as in perhaps a single strike with a mallet. Makes me think it's "newer" and produced with a little less craftsmanship.

After I added Jimping to that find last Friday, I am quite unsatisfied with any razor that lacks good jimping...I may have to add some to this piece (it is smooth top and bottom with fairly un-inspired squared off edges top and bottom of the tang.

On the plus side, there is very little hone wear, and apparently LOTS of life left in this one!

Bone scales, spike point, not a Torrey.

Please...... buy razors with features that you like, and sell/gift those that don't have them. Please resist the urge to modify a piece of history.

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

Bone scales, spike point, not a Torrey.

Please...... buy razors with features that you like, and sell/gift those that don't have them. Please resist the urge to modify a piece of history.

Interesting point of view.

I think we all might interpret this recommendation differently though. For example, do you condone the seemingly common practice of polishing vintage blades? I think it would be a travesty to remove the character and patina from some of the blades I have that truly do have historical significance to me...however, other blades require it in order to get rust off and make it safer to use.

Different strokes for different folks.

I generally only modify blades that require it (new scales for one with scales damaged beyond repair, or blade modification to repair a crease, chip, or rust damage)....but I will not say that I will never modify a piece that does not speak to me otherwise.