Thread: Old razors mystery??!!

I have two old razors that came in what looks like a strop box, with a mark 'DAUVET A PARIS' stamped on the handle. The razors are not a pair, they are slightly different, they are both shoulder less wedges, and the blades are in good conditioning considering there age. They are both 'tailless'' and have what looks like iron pins/ domed washers and are both stamped 'WARRANTED' I do not know if the scales are original to the blades as the toe catches the wedge on one quite badly. The scales are warped and twisted but surprisingly the blades centre in both. The wedges are a white bone material and the scales are very dark with a grain running through them. I have absolutley no other information on the razors and wondered if anyone could help???

Originally Posted by Manchestertattoo

I have two old razors that came in what looks like a strop box, with a mark 'DAUVET A PARIS' stamped on the handle.

Very cool

Oldies buy goodies. Check out those jimps on the top of the one. I'm pretty sure those would have been filed by hand. No automated equipment to get that precise spacing and depth. Just the trained eye and hand of an expert artisan. The old French made razors from the 'stub tail' era often didn't have an exposed monkey tail.

DAUVET, fabricant, négociant et fourbisseur de rasoirs, inventeur de la pâte minérale pour cuirs à aiguiser.Dauvet, Maker and negociator and refurbishing of razors, inventor of a mineral paste for leather.
In 1820, listed as a cutler in Paris France.

Thanks Martin!! Would you say the razors themselves were from that period too??

When you see them with the scales parallel ...... straight with no curve ..... they are from that period. Also the French razors from that period didn't have the monkey tail exposed when closed. If they were from an even earlier period they wouldn't have a distinct tang but the edge would flow into the tang area with no transition. Must have split a few thumbs back in the day.

Definately or perhaps earlier, i did find another box with razors marked Dauvet from the 18 th century

But i would think yours are a little later.

Really appreciate the info, I'm going to try and hone them both tonight and see what happens!! I have another early razor I've just cleaned, I really really didn't want to buff and polish it because I hate old razors like that but the rusting was that bad that I had to really in order to save it from deteriorations any more, it is just stamped 'SAYNOR' and it has what look like light pressed horn scales with a woodcutter on one side and a shepherd on the other. They are in a bad way and I'm in the process of trying to repair them, has anyone seen one of these saynor razors before or have any info regards place of production or age?? I've taken a pic next to a jr wedge as a size comparison.....

Thanks Martin103, looks exactly the same. I wonder if my two started life out with scales like that? I'm sure mine arnt original to the blades as the blades are different but the scales are exactly the same and are ill fitting.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Definately or perhaps earlier, i did find another box with razors marked Dauvet from the 18 th century

But i would think yours are a little later.

Good god that is beautiful. Do you have a source on that pair?