Thread: Help in Identifying a Razor if you please.

So I was out with a friend, and we stopped by a flea market in town. Wouldn't you know it, I found a straight razor. Problem is, I have no idea what this is. Now, it was only 15 dollars, so no harm, no foul on the price.

The blade is 7/8 width, half hollow ground. It also has a slight smile. Defiantly has some wear on the blade. One one side it says Duncan Bro. Wilmington. The other is a bear with a staff. The bottom of the blade handle has 'Made in Germany' on it.

Now I've done some research, and the bear with the staff resulted in Hessenbruch Co.

The Duncan Bro. Wilmington resulted in no information found.

What I need to know if its a real deal Hessenbruch, or if it has been re-branded. It seems to have an edge still, though it needs honing. If its worth keeping/using I'd like to know.

Thanks to all who may help.

I'm afraid I can't tell you much about the Hessebruch Co. However, it was not unusual for shops or chains to have razors made with the seller's branding. I am guessing that Duncan Bro. Wilmington ordered a batch of razors with their logo on them. Possibly/probably from the Hessebruch Co, who did not put their own name on them, just the walking bear.

While it might be hard to ID the razor further, it is a german made razor, 7/8, with not too much honewear and in pretty good shape. I bet that one will perform great. Congratulations, nice score

I'm pretty sure that bear logo made it onto a lot of razor brands/hardware store brands/department store brands. I've seen it accompanied by sayings like "will bear inspection". Maybe these were all made by Hessen Bruch.

found this on a razor from what I think was a Pennsylvania department store-- sold the razor last year, I don't have it any more to look at



The logo on the scales says "will bear inspection"

Here is one of mine it does not have the store markings that yours has.
Those Hessenbruch's are wicked good shavers
Plus I like the bear embossment as well

The trademark "Will (bear) Inspection" was used by T. Hessenbruch & Co. And after the death of the founder - Thomas Hessenbruch - by his son, Hermann Hessenbruch.
The company was founded in 1873 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Manufacturers, Importers, and Wholesale Dealers in German Hardware, Cutlery, Guns and Pistols, Lead Pencils, &c. No. 1 North Fifth street, up stairs, Philadelphia.

Manah is so freakin' awesome.

I have a Hessenbruch and it is a fantastic shaver. I would swear that it was Sheffield steel, ground in Germany. It has that nice, buttery smooth edge that you would expect from classic Sheffield steel with a grind that is most definitely German.

Thanks to all for the for the info. As of recently, I took this and my other razor up to my dads for a rehoning. He has honing stones, got him into straight shaving

Shaved with it this past Tuesday and it's is a great shave. Takes getting used to that square point, and curved edge. Otherwise its fantastic! Best part is, that the gentlemen that were there at the flea market said they have some more! I may check it out and see what I can find. Plenty of men around here have told me of their grandfathers owning straight razors. I'm sure there is more in this town then I thought.