Case Brothers straight - would love some help with information on this razor...

This is one of the razors I pulled from my fathers collection. He never shaved with it, just had in his collection of straights and folding pocket knives.

The Case, Case Brothers, Case XX and Tested were all favorites of his. Sadly, he passed away with any bit of history we might have had, locked in his head.

I've decided to have a go at cleaning it up, replacing the scales and getting into rotation.

But I would really like to know some history on the make, and model.

The edge is 2 5/8" from toe to shoulder, and the overall length, toe to pivot pin is 3 3/4". Blade is 11/16 and though it's a guess, I am going with half hollow. Scales, end to end are 4 3/4". So it's a bit smaller than most straights. The scales are metal lined.. feels like aluminum. The outside is half mother of pearl and half tortoise shell. The only blade marking is Case Brothers Little Valley.

The blade doesn't appear to have any rust, active or otherwise, but there is some surface discoloration. The edge as some very, very minor pitting that can't be seen without a loupe and to my less-schooled eye, looks like it would hone out with just a few passes. I haven't decided on a scale material but it won't be original.. the liners make for a project more complex than I am ready for.

I find the size appealing and there is a sentimental attachment to it.. hoping it isn't too far gone.

Click the first image for larger versions...

http://www.emotion-images.com/img/s9...06493315-2.jpg

http://www.emotion-images.com/img/s9...40748184-2.jpg

http://www.emotion-images.com/img/s9...20516752-2.jpg

Go here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...llow-conn.html
Learn about American makers. start reading down from post 26 and until it gets to the Cases. Very interesting stuff!

If the scales are orig,pls try to do a restore,that may be a fantastic,historical razor.

The scales seem to be half tortoise, half pearl. Certainly, one half was added back in history. Neat to have something like this.

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I've got a Case Bros LV, NY and a Springville, NY in razors. Have had a pocket knife or two but they are long gone. This book here, about the Platts family, which became Western Cutlery has some interesting photos and the book tells of the Case Bros, as they were related by marriage. The whole story from Case Bros to W.R. Case & Sons is in this book here .

Whatever you do, get that razor restored by a pro.

Case Brothers Cutlery Co. and W. R. Case & Sons chronology.

That is definitely a "Frankenrazor"!! Mary Shelley wrote of this kind of conglomeration!! But, now back to reality!! I wouldn't do any rescale, or etc.. Your father liked this razor, as is, and I would do all I could to honor that, and if the blade could be brought back to shave ready, I'd do that,.....and shave with it, at least once!! But, I'm a sentimental old fool!! :D

Regards,

Howard :)

Well, thanks all...

I can't yet say whether or not the scales are original. My eye is not that good. I could easily put the project off while I research further as I have a box of razors with busted or no scales. The down side is that most of them a honed beyond use.

There was no sentimental connection for dad and he never shaved with it. He was an appraiser and dealer. A collector on the pocket knife side. For him, the razors were all about turning a profit. But your points are well taken..

I have read a bit (thanks for the links) and I know I have a few Electric Company razors in the collection as well as a few Holley and I think there are a few Mayher and Grosh. As I read the names and reconnect with them, memories of dad's favored manufactures keep popping up. Nearly all American brands.. Sheffield, Cattaragus, Case etc.

I better slow down before I dismantle something with historical value...

I would replace the tortoise shell celluloid with a modern plastic in tortoise shell pattern. That would look great.

One thing I learned 'along the way'...... Case Bros original scales have a washer behind the rivet at the pivot, and NO washer behind the rivet at the wedge end. So assuming that this is correct, it appears to me, from the photo, that your razor is built that way. IOW, the scales may be original.