Thread: Inherited Razors

Hey all,
A little background. I've been shaving since I was 12 and able to grow a Goat since I was 13. Needless to say, I have been fighting facial hair for awhile now (17 years) and have never had a truly satisfying shave. My brother-in-law has finally convinced me to give a straight razor shave a try. So, I got on the phone and called my grandfather as I knew I have seen some straight razors in his collection. He promptly mailed his stash. The thing is I can find nothing on the blades themselves and thought I'd see if any of you guys here that seem to be teaming with triv... I mean Historical knowledge of blades.

All kidding aside I would like to know as much about these blades as possible as they have been in my family for generations. I'll give all information I know of the blades below the picture.


This one was my Great-Great-Grandfather's and seems to be in the best overall condition of the group. The manufacturer's stamp states BONEBRAKE HDWE, & I.M.P. CO. This blade probably comes from late 1800s to early 1900s. This came in a black box with no writing. This one seems my best bet for honing and starting to shave.

This one has a good bit of rust but a decent set of plastic scales. This was a random blade my grandfather had so manufacture date is impossible to know but the stamp states DAMASCUS RAZOR SHEFFIELD STEEL. This one seems like a good restore project on the blade.


This one was my Great-Grandfather's. Scales are broken but blade is in decent shape. On one side (First picture) is simply states Shorty on the other (Second picture) is has A. HALVERSON Co. OKLA. CITY & MUSKOGEE M.I. GERMANY. The box it came in was a yellow (could be from age) and had Wester & Butz. Can't remember or read the rest. I'm knew to razors but a pretty old hand when it comes to working with wood, so this one I will be making a set of custom Mahugony scales for it.

Thanks for any feed back on this blades, I only just received them but they mean a lot coming from my granddad and I'd like to know as much as possible.

Ryu

I see a weekend filled with MAAS, q-tips, steel wool (00-0000), cotton shop towels and some wet/dry sandpaper. once they are cleaned up you will know more about them. it is nice to have family razors to shave with. becareful of the brother-in-law he may be and enabler!

enjoy,
jim

Welcome to SRP and to the wonderful world of straight razor shaving. I can't give any info on the origin of your razors but there are a few members who are straight razor historian/detectives and one of more may be along soon. Check out the beginner's guide in the SRP library here for tips on shaving, honing, and restoring your family heirlooms.

Originally Posted by Ryu

Hey all,
A little background. I've been shaving since I was 12 and able to grow a Goat since I was 13.

Hello Ryu and welcome to SRP.

I must admit that you are a bit more advanced than me! I didn't have to shave until well into my teens. However, I did manage to grow a hamster when I was 6. so perhaps we are even?

Regards,
Neil

Hi Ryu, And welcome to SRP.
About your Brokebrake Hardware & Implement co razor, founded by J. E. Bonebrake in 1882. Fom the info i found looks like your razor is possibly made by J. Wiss and sons.

J. E. BONEBRAKE came to Abilene in 1871 and commenced dealing in farm machinery in a small way. In the fall of the same year he added hardware, and kept adding to his stock until it included everything in the line of hardware and farm machinery. In 1879 he built the J. E. Bonebrake Opera House at a cost of $45,000, with magnificent storerooms on the first floor. The building is 75 x 120 feet, heated by steam and lighted with gas throughout, and is occupied on the first floor by the J. E. Bonebrake Hardware Company, which was organized January 1, 1882, with a paid-up capital of $75,000, and did a business of $180,000 during the year 1882. Besides being president of the hardware company he is president of the First National Bank, the Kansas Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company and the Abilene Water and Gas Company. He was born in St. Joseph County, Ind., June 15, 1848; was raised and educated in his native State, and was married to Miss Elvira A. Martin of the same place; they have two children, Grace and Howard.

Nice research, sounds like this guy wasn't doing too bad for himself!

About your A. HALVERSON Co. OKLA. CITY & MUSKOGEE M.I. GERMANY razor.
A. Halverson Co was a barbers supplies company around early 1900's. Found many entries from the company in various directories and barners supplies convention etc most around 1910 to 1925.


Looking at the razor and whats left of the scales, its definately Solingen Germany and definately a good quality razor for sure. I would not hesitate to have this razor restored as im sure it will be a fine shaver.
You mention the razor was in a Wester & Butz box so its possible that they were the makers, i know of Wester Bros in New York had their razor made by the same company, nevertheless its a good quality razor and furthermore a family heirloom, Enjoy!

Any other markings on your Sheffield Steel razor?

Thank you Martin for the info. That is more that I thought possible on getting.

About the Sheffield Steel Razor, Other than the rust there is nothing. All it has is the Damascus Razor Sheffield Steel on the side shown in the picture and nothing on the other side.

On a good note, I was able to remove most of the rust and there is actually very little pitting, I've got my blocks of mahogany, designed my new scales but the problem is now i'm heading out of town so I won't get to work on it until next week.