American Razors, article St Louis Globe Democrat 1889

American razors, a Barbers view on them. Does anybody know what razor he's referring to?

Attachment 116267
Attachment 116268

I don't know much about it, and the only ones I can find seem to be stamped with "Made in Germany" on the flip side of the tang, but I would guess that they would be West Point razors. After a quick google search it seems that that is one of the most famous American military schools, and there is evidence of an abundance of razors called West Point. Here are a couple examples:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...nt-razors.html
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...h-restore.html

Of course fast forward a few years and the English almost disappear and it's Germany that is in the forefront and the U.S did make plenty of razors later on.

I googled up the top ten Military Colleges and found 6 going back before 1889.

U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Established in 1845
West Point Established in 1802
Texas A & M University since 1875. ??
Norwich University established in 1819
Virginia Military Institute founded in 1839
the Citadel was established in 1842.


I found this interesting ...New York Military Academy founded 1889 Grades 6 - 12 but I read at the time these were also called military colleges . I just happen to have a New York Werks Razor that has no marking indicating where it was made. Doesn't mean anything I know, just adding to the think tank aspect of the thread.

also found Northern Illinois College formerly Illinois Soldiers' College

I enjoy these old articles, thanks for
posting it.


Terry

If you enjoy the old articles try this:
Search Results - Chronicling America (The Library of Congress)

It's the Library of Congress newspaper collection with a search for razor.

Heres a clipping from the Record-Sun (Sacramento, Ca, Feb 3, 1896) entitled "About Razors". It discusses how barbers would make their money by giving haircuts and honing personal razors as most customers weren't up to the task.

Attachment 116278

I book marked that site Thanks !

I bookmarked it as well.


Terry