Thread: Murdoch's "Kookaburra" Razor I.D Please

Hi everyone,

I just buoght my first two razors off a hunting fourm here in Australia,
The first is a Bengall which seem common but the second one is a Murdochs Kookaburra (Kookaburra is a Australian bird),
it was made in endland. I have googled for it but cant find anything out about it.
Please if anyone has any info can you tell me about it? and can I restore it or should I leave it as is?

Hi JohnGilbert, welcome to the SRP from a fellow Aussie.

There is a lot of valuable information on razors, shaving, sharpening etc. etc on this site under the Library heading. Read, read and read more. Lots to learn mate!

I am sure more experienced members will chip in to answer your questions.

Enjoy your SR journey and stick with it. You WILL be rewarded.

Sunbird

Thanks Sunbird,
I know im going to be hooked I have been reading and looking on youtube for tips to restore them and have been practicing on a old knife while im waiting for my SR's to come.

Hello John,

I wouldn't be suprised if the Kookaburra razor was made especially for Murdochs - although one of their trademarks was the word "murdoch's" itself, they also used the Kookaburra.

I have seen the advert you mentioned - the 'kookaburra' in that is a type of drover's hat, isn't it. Although Murdoch's was said the be the biggest mens and boys wear store in Sydney, maybe they sold other stuff like toilet articles. I know they sold handbags - there is an article on the web about a woman designer who "...left her job at Murdoch's Department Store selling handbags..." to design and sell her own, so it wasn't just clothing they sold.

Sir James Murdoch was a scotsman who went to Australia. At one time he worked for Hordern's (who did sell razors and strops). He opened his own menswear shop in Park Street in 1893 and it grew and grew - 400 people worked for him by 1914. He thought a lot of his workforce, evidently, giving bonuses, shares in the company, incentive schemes, etc, so maybe the razors for presents for the workforce? Not unknown. He died in 1939, but the company went on - how long for I don't know, but there is still mention of it in the 1950s.



The razors were probably a special commission - hence no makers mark on the tang. Or your razor may have nothing to do with Murdoch's department store at all!

Thank Neil
I think you are right, I have found a Murdoch's "Kookaburra" ashtray at the powerhouse museum here in Australia.
As its not having any makers marks do you think it would be low quality?

No - I don't think so. A lot of prestigious makers did the same thing, usually stamping the clients details on the tang instead of their own, but as so much is given over to the blade detail, that would explain why the tang is blank.

It used to be common practice for 'walkers' or 'travellers' to take samples of razors made by their company to major towns and cities and offer people like barbers or mens toiletry suppliers bulk discounts for having their razors, stamped or left blank as required. Many of the razors you find with London addresses on the tang were supplied by renowned Sheffield companies, leading many to think that the maker was so-and-so when it fact it was a high-class gents shop.

Regards,
Neil