Thread: Early W. Greaves straight razor?

First, I am new to the forum and apologize if my questions can be answered elsewhere - but I have done a good bit of sleuthing on the internet and tried searching the archives of this forum but still need some advice and guidance. I have some questions about some razors I have had kicking around for a number of years.

First, I have a razor that is stamped "W. Greave" that I think is William Greaves? The scales are quite primitive - appear to be from a single piece of white oak with a crude kerf cut to allow the blade to be protected. The single pin (where the blade pivots) is steel and same style of the later brass ones I have seen photos of for W. Greaves & Sons razors. I think the bushing on one side is missing, but the remaining steel bushing is identical in style to later Greaves razors.



My questions are: 1) is this razor as old as I think it is? 2) should I have it restored or stabilized, and 3) if restored can I use it or is this a collectible? I would not want it restored to look like new, but simply restored to prevent further deterioration.

The second razor I have is in much better condition and not nearly as old. I have the case as well and the box is labelled "The Alpha Company, 142-144 N. 9th Str., Philadelphia, PA, Made in Germany, Blue Steel XXX". Am I correct in assuming many businesses had razors made by a manufacturer to sell under the own name? I can't find anything about The Alpha Company in Philly (and the address appears to be in Chinatown, although there is no longer a 142-144 street address on N. 9th Street). The blade is labelled "THE ALPHA Co., Phila., Made in Germany" on one side and "XXX, Blue Steel" on the other. The scales look like bone or ivory but very flexible so I am thinking synthetic or horn. Any info or corrections regarding my assumptions are appreciated. I think I am going to have to go to the Philadelphia library to find out anything about this business because there is nothing on the internet (that I have found).



Finally, the third razor is marked on the blade "James Barlow & Sons, Manufacturers Sheffield, Corporate Mark, ECHO". As you can see, the blade has some serious damage. Can it be ground and honed so that it is useable, or is it too far gone?



About 5 years ago I got sick of paying for expensive cans of shaving cream rusting on my vanity, so I bought a shaving brush. Now that I am really tired of buying a new shaver (for the latest, greatest, multi-blade razor every 2 years because of planned obsolescence by big corporations) I am going to delve into the realm of straight razor shaving. I think the Alpha razor could be a daily shaver - what about the other two?

Thanks for any info, advice, or suggestions folks provide.

New member,

Duane

Nice, Duane! The Greaves looks to be a real oldie, and the middle one a "hardware store" German razor, always good! Tons of Philly hardware and barber supply firms sold german-made razors with their name stamped by an unknown, yet quality maker.
Yes, the Barlow is savable, if no cracks run up any further. A job for the experienced, tho.
Why don't you go up to member introductions and introduce yourself and your razors there. You will get lots of response!

Welcome to SRP and thanks for the pics. The greaves you have Is early 1800's I'd say 1830's at the latest. It appears to be in good shape so to keep it 'stabilized' will be keeping it dry forever more. The scales are replacements and I would gather they were replaced by an owner a long long time ago. It's very common to see homemade scales like that. I always find it interesting how people repaired things way back when... However I personally like to replace scales like that. It would be a sin not to shave with that greaves so get that thing cleaned up, sharpened and enjoy!!!

I know little to nothing about German razors... Sorry... The only thing I know about that razor is the scales are 99% likely to be celluloid.

I do however know a thing or two about that Barlow. They are made of excellent steel. I restored one a while back for a buddy of mine and that thing is beautiful and takes a hell of an edge. Also it's magnetic.... Don't believe me check it out yourself!!! That one is on beyond rough shape though. Once you get this chips honed out your looking at a 4/8 blade at mos. the scales look awesome though..... Those should clean up nicely!

Thanks for sharing!

- Joe

Originally Posted by JoeLowett

It would be a sin not to shave with that greaves so get that thing cleaned up, sharpened and enjoy!!!

- Joe

i agree !!!!!!! just the thought of that razor made my whiskers fall off !
also , welocome to SRP

I think you are right about the replaced scales on the Greaves - if one could make such a steel blade they could certainly make a more refined set of scales. And I guess I need to look into getting the Barlow repaired. Thanks for the info!

The scales on the Greaves are definitely homemade replacements. If there's no "& Sons" under Greaves, then I believe it is earlier, around late 1700s - early 1800s (hard to tell since the shape of the blade has been altered. Is the blade pretty thin at the pivot point?

Welcome to SRP! Nice score.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

The scales on the Greaves are definitely homemade replacements. If there's no "& Sons" under Greaves, then I believe it is earlier, around late 1700s - early 1800s (hard to tell since the shape of the blade has been altered. Is the blade pretty thin at the pivot point?

I am not sure I have the experience to define "pretty thin" but the blade clearly tapers from the end of the blade (thickest) to the monkey tail. Compared to the other two razors I pictured (Barlow and German blade) it is definitely thinner. Also there is no "& Sons" at all evident. In fact, the "s" in Greaves is not at all evident.

Taking a good photo of a razor is difficult, but the stamp is "W. GREAVE" as best I can tell and the period after the W may simply be my imagination (just well-placed corrosion).

My simple searching on the internet is unclear about markings to expect on Greaves razors since this link suggests that "& Sons" may have begun about 1816. I'd appreciate any information on determining the age. I can send better photos, just let me know.

Thanks,

Duane

Here are some examples. They're pretty hard to find, but they're around.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...tml#post563808
Greaves Stubtail, Swayback, Smile, Spanish Point – $75 « Holli4's Straight Razor Page
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...l-11-16-a.html

The earlier razors tended to be quite thin at the pivot (very tapered). I'm guessing it's roughly half the width of the other razors?

edit: I'm going to guess that this is what your razor once looked like before being reworked: http://straightrazorpalace.com/attac...-blades-9-.jpg

From gut instinct I would peg it around 1800-1810 unless someone chimes in with a more informed estimate.

Duane,

I have a very similar Greaves which, incidentally, I picked up at an auction in Picture Rocks, PA about five years ago. My razor was made somewhere between 1780 and 1816 which puts it right at 200-years-old. I honed it and have used it many times. It certainly doesn't detract from the razor's value and it gives me great satisfaction to hold an object in my hands that is two centuries old and still performing the task for which it was designed. I like to let my mind wander back over the years and imagine the circumstances experienced by its original owner and I hope it would make him happy to know that his razor is still mowing down stubble.

Regards - Walt