Thread: Is This a Straight Razor or Not?

Originally Posted by GlennConti

I guess what I want to know is if you had a sharp version of the device first pictured above, could you shave your beard with it? Or is that totally ridiculous? That is, what is the probability the device is a shaving razor based on it's dimensions alone?

Kamisori have much smaller Blades, so it is possible... Small razors have their uses.. The problem is that a "Barber" used to mean much more then just grooming, so they possibly had different blades for different jobs ie: Bloodletting, Dentistry, Minor Surgery, so even if a "Razor" was found in a Barber shop one cannot assume it was there for grooming
Even in more recent times Barbers did much more then just grooming..

That design could be used for Skinning Grapes for all we know

Based on this post, I didn't think blade length is a problem (Edit: this post says 3" is typical of a straight. The Roman razor is 2-7/8")

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...de-length.html

I was worried about the handle.

Originally Posted by GlennConti

Based on this post, I didn't think blade length is a problem

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...de-length.html

I was worried about the handle.

That is what I have been looking at since you posted this originally, the dimensions seemed off this entire time, but again I can only guess at how it was used... Perhaps the Forefinger along the top of the spine and the Middle and Ringfinger to support on the handle... You also have to look at it in the Barber's hand, probably not in the user's hand.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

This however could very well still be a "Razor" but perhaps for Bloodletting instead of shaving

Here are some antique bloodletting tools. They seem to come to a point for puncturing veins (or arteries). So I think we can rule out bloodletting device.

Antique Bloodletting and Leeching Instruments

Originally Posted by GlennConti

Here are some antique bloodletting tools. They seem to come to a point for puncturing veins (or arteries). So I think we can rule out bloodletting device.

You are looking at 17th - 19th century instruments on that page..

Originally Posted by GlennConti

Yes. I think I got a fair price. Just hoping it is a shaving razor like the seller said it was. I am not a doctor so medical instruments hold less appeal for me. I think the blade length is consistent with a straight (more or less 3") and the handle - two full fingers a thumb and a third finger on the tip of the handle. I just am not a straight user so I don't know if the handle is big enough.

Hi Glen,

I can't pretend to know a whole lot on the subject of Roman razors but... I'm a well trained professional archaeologist and I can say that one of the issues we have in establishing whether something like this artifact was used purposefully for anything (let alone shaving) is difficult. Most artifacts you find are multipurpose unless they are ritualized. Just because something is sharp doesnt mean it only had a specific use. The blade looks ceremonial. I see, but can't quite tell, the figure on the handle of the blade. This blade very well may be ritualistic, but could also have been used to blood let as has been suggested, or to shave the head of a priest on feast days; crack pecans from their shells; pried oysters onto plates; used to castrate eunuchs or to cut blocks of tuscan cheese for all we know or all of the above. The key, IMHO is to figure out who is stylized on the handle of that blade before assuming it belonged on one's cheek. You haven't put that on your cheek have you? Like I mentioned its earlier purpose may have been more... voice altering so to speak

I think you will need a very good Roman antiquities expert or archaeologist with a specialization in Roman period artifacts to be certain. Would love to know what you have found out.

Originally Posted by Jmveness

Hi Glen,

I can't pretend to know a whole lot on the subject of Roman razors but... I'm a well trained professional archaeologist and I can say that one of the issues we have in establishing whether something like this artifact was used purposefully for anything (let alone shaving) is difficult. Most artifacts you find have multipurpose unless they are ritualized. Just because something is sharp doesnt mean it only had a specific use. The blade looks ceremonial. I see, but can't quite tell, the figure on the handle of the blade. This blade very well may be ritualistic, but could also have been used to blood let as has been suggested, or to shave the head of a priest on feast days; crack pecans from their shells; pried oysters onto plates; used to castrate eunuchs or to cut blocks of tuscan cheese for all we know or all of the above. The key, IMHO is to figure out who is stylized on the handle of that blade before assuming it belonged on one's cheek. Like I mentioned its earlier purpose may have been more... voice altering so to speak

I think you will need a very good Roman antiquities expert or archaeologist with a specialization in Roman period artifacts to be certain. Would love to know what you have found out.

Thanks for your post. At the other forum (RomanArmy.com) it was suggested that the figure on the handle is possibly Minerva. I am waiting for an antiquities expert (antiquitiesexperts.com) to get back with me as we speak to break down exactly the price quote I have received from him. I will definitely provide more info as I receive it. The dealer I got it from said it was a metal detector find in what was Yugoslavia and he placed it in the 3rd or 4th cAD.

This I agree with and would find easier to accept. It looks like this is made with terracotta clay. Easier to sharpen and more importantly cheaper to make. Outfitting a legion with cheek plates was hard enough during the Republic owing to the cost of producing metal. Something as common place as a bronze or steel razor would have been a rare prize indeed and worthy of only a select few. In which case the research on your find would have been well documented. These things don't just occur that often in the archaeological record.

Please Glen...Please do not solicit any 'expert opinion' from Romanarmy.com Go to your local university and talk to the Roman / Greek Classical antiquities prof. If you live near a major national or state museum go talk to the curator.

If it is Minerva (which I have some doubts) then the blade is most likely NOT a razor for the purpose of shaving ones face. Minerva was associated with medicine and sacrifices. Most likely this is a medical instrument.

There are a couple of purported roman razors up on the bay right now. One of the claimed razors looks quite similar to a 1700's era razor. Interesting stuff, if they are real that is.