Thread: Unknown item !

Hi Everyone,
We made a discovery of an old Cut throat razor sharpener with a box cover, that had been in my father in laws loft for many years !
Along one side is an 'emery' facing.
The box has a worn sticker on it in French giving the maker as 'Maison HAMON PERE' and dated late 17th century/early 18th century.
The Item is called 'Cuir Bois dix corrixule'.
There is also the label which is a picture of a head in a circle (Like a coin) of Napoleon the Emperor.

I am unable to find any info about this particular item anywhere and was hoping someone may be able to help ?
Thanks to all.

A picture would help greatly.

I don't think it could be 17th century (1600s) or 18th century (1700s) as the Hamon company began in France in 1818 (19th century) when Monsieur Hamon ("Pere Hamon") invented his Zeolithe paste which was dedicated to maintaining the fine edge of razors. The company was based at 54 Rue de Clery in Paris and over the years it added more items to its range, offering at first paddle strops for the razor paste and barbers supplies but branching out into other fields. I think the company is still active today, but producing fine scissors, textiles, garments and so on.

"Cuir bois" means the stropping medium - leather-covered wood. the other part I'm not sure about 'dit' (rather than 'dix' which I think is wrong) and 'corrixule' - probably a tradename like 'zeolithe' or an old name for a type of wood or wood surface (eg a lot of the early wooden paddles had corrugations on them to hold the paste), as the label is found very often on long thin paddle strops that do not open to form a case to keep a razor in.

Regards
Neil

The coin-like devices are to signify awards won by the company.

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

I don't think it could be 17th century (1600s) or 18th century (1700s) as the Hamon company began in France in 1818 (19th century) when Monsieur Hamon ("Pere Hamon") invented his Zeolithe paste which was dedicated to maintaining the fine edge of razors. The company was based at 54 Rue de Clery in Paris and over the years it added more items to its range, offering at first paddle strops for the razor paste and barbers supplies but branching out into other fields. I think the company is still active today, but producing fine scissors, textiles, garments and so on.

"Cuir bois" means the stropping medium - leather-covered wood. the other part I'm not sure about 'dit' (rather than 'dix' which I think is wrong) and 'corrixule' - probably a tradename like 'zeolithe' or an old name for a type of wood or wood surface (eg a lot of the early wooden paddles had corrugations on them to hold the paste), as the label is found very often on long thin paddle strops that do not open to form a case to keep a razor in.

Regards
Neil

The coin-like devices are to signify awards won by the company.

Thankyou so much, this is so helpful, as i say i don't have much knowledge in this area.
It's really very interesting to learn something about it, and i m so pleased to get such a quick response.
I will indeed try to get a picture on here later as i am at work at present and don't have it with me.

Are these type of items the sought of things you can sell on?
I would be interested to know if it is worth just a little something?

Many thanks again
Linda

Originally Posted by l1ndamar1e

Are these type of items the sought of things you can sell on?
I would be interested to know if it is worth just a little something?

Many thanks again
Linda

Linda,
we do not do valuations here, enjoy your find.

Something like this!

It's a paddle strop. Used for keeping a keen edge on a straight razor between shaves.