Thread: "La Cie Chinic" help me identify this razor please

Hey everyone!

I hope this is the right forum for this. I went to a local market this weekend and got a Wester Bros Anchor Brand razor with a beat up and broken blade for 15$(the scales were broken, not the blade). As you will see in the pictures below, the second blade says "Quebec" on the tang and "La Cie Chinic" on the blade. However, I cannot find any information regarding this razor anywhere. Can anyone help?

What I've found so far goes no further than this link: CHINIC, GUILLAUME-EUGÈNE - Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
It seems that the Chinic Hardware Co. of Quebec operated retail hardware stores in the late 1800's but the various Chinic family members had their hands in the Railroad and construction business as well.

I can only assume that these were blades made by an unknown company and distributed to employees?

Sorry for the bad quality but I just noticed this little detail. Hopefully it'll help someone narrow this mystery down.

Originally Posted by jeremytough

Sorry for the bad quality but I just noticed this little detail. Hopefully it'll help someone narrow this mystery down.

Thats not a little detail for sure, its a Boker tree! So boker made razors for "La Cie Chinic" probably to sell at their stores.

You have got good eyes Martin! I was just thinking it looked a little like the twins logo and then your post popped up!

A little more info re: La Compagnie Chinic from a Quebec 1899 Trade & Commerce publication:

The Méthot store was founded in 1808 :
1. F. X. Méthot ;
2. F. X. Métbot & Cie ;
3. Méthot, Boivin & Cie ;
4. Méthot & Chinic ;
5. Méthot, Ohinic & Cie ;
6. Méthot, Chinic, Simard & Méthot ;
7. Chinic, Simard & Méthot ;
8. Chinic & Méthot (Philéas) ;
9. Chinic & Méthot (Jules) ;
10. Chinic & Beaudet ;
11. Chinic, Beaudet & Cie ;
12. Beaudet & Chinic ;
13. La Compagnie Chinic (The Chinic Hardware Co.), the current store, whose directors are : MM. Edwin Jones, William Shaw, H. Edmond Dupré, Geo. T. Davie, E. W. Méthot, et Eugène Chhiic, assistant-manager.

The Montreal Herald of 1889 says that the business was an outgrowth of the one that existed 8 years ago, so the earliest date for La Compagnie Chinic/Chinic Hardware Co was 1881. It goes on to describe them as importers and dealers in bar iron, steel, shelf hardware and cutlery. It carries on:



The store is also mentioned in Prominent People of the Province of Quebec, 1923-24, and The Department of Indian Affairs Report of 1925. Seems like it was a very important store.

Regards,
Neil

You guys are incredible!
Martin, I had a hunch that it was Boker as I own one but the tree looked like it didn't have enough detail. It does make sense though, thanks! According to Wikipedia, the family branched out in 1860 and opened factories in North America. And Neil thanks for digging further into the company history, I was not able to find much myself. I guess they imported knives branded with their company logo.

I've been browsing through some archives and there is a lot about the Chinic family and business. If I find anything relevant or interesting I'll post it.