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Thread: Straight razor history

  1. #21
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    So, how would the appearance differ from say a 1690 razor and a 1790 razor?

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    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fmlondon View Post
    So, how would the appearance differ from say a 1690 razor and a 1790 razor?
    Ask Zak about that. I'm familiar with the late 1700s and beyond. I shave with a couple from that early date sometimes. I've never seen razors from the 1600s in books or on the web that I am aware of. I'm sure there are examples of open razors around. Probably similar to the aforementioned Chinese choppers. IIRC open razors go back to ancient times. The folding 'straight' razor came along later but I'm not sure exactly when somebody got that bright idea.
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    Senior Member razorguy's Avatar
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    If we want to go back in time, there are many examples of razors since the beginning of civilization. Folding straight razor as we know it today, it is an invention of the late 1700s and early 1800s.
    The RazorGuy - StraightRazorChannel on Youtube and Google+

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    Captain ARAD. Voidmonster's Avatar
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    Actually, the folding razor as we know it is the one I'm saying predates 1650. It's what Samuel van Hoogstraten painted, it's what the Pilgrim's carried to Plymouth, and I've seen several examples in batches of early 18th century auctions.

    How did it differ from 1550 to 1650 to 1750? The examples are few and far between, and while it's very tempting to come up with an overview, I don't think there's enough evidence to do that. I'm away from my main computer (where I've stored pictures) and all but my digital library or I'd dig up some to show other than the painting.

    My currently unsupported guess is that the folding razor probably was derived from the folding bistoury. There didn't used to be any kind of clear dividing line between surgeons and barbers, but until I can dig through my books on the history of medical instruments, that's just a guess.

    Another thing that it's useful to be careful of is the idea that there was a clear progression of forms. I know Henry Lummus says razors before 1800 had tiny or non-existent tails, but I've found too many razors that break his rules of thumb. Remember, the cutlers were always trying the occasional odd, new thing as well as making traditional razors.

    These razors (after 1814):


    were made more recently than these (around 1810):


    And of course, the French and the English did the tails on their razors very differently.
    -Zak Jarvis. Writer. Artist. Bon vivant.

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    Quote Originally Posted by razorguy View Post
    Could it be it was Jean-Jacques Perret, as he was experimenting on straight razors and safety razor around that time?
    Jean-Jacques Perret, in his book L'Art du Coutelier 1771 does mention many different kind of steel used for different application of cutlery. He does in fact mentions the steel from Huntsman as the finest steel available ( And surprisingly there are quite a few) for razors and lancets.

    http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ds-1771-a.html
    In 1777, Perret wrote another book totally dedicated to steel for cutlery, Perret was definately very familiar with Huntsman cast steel as he goes
    into details about its function and ways to work the steel etc. That said it is highly possible that the cutlers from Sheffield didnt take kindly to Huntsman steel, but it was definately part of the cutlery business in France especially in the razor business.

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    I went mining the internet for early razors and found a few.

    1760's English, John Pyke.

    18th century Spanish set (these give me a righteous case of the 'GIMMIES!')
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    -Zak Jarvis. Writer. Artist. Bon vivant.

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    Senior Member razorguy's Avatar
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    That's right Martin103. In my opinion Perret was the one who started the modern era of straight razors including techniques for shaving and honing. Last but not the least, he also was the very first to propose a safety razor.
    The RazorGuy - StraightRazorChannel on Youtube and Google+

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    Quote Originally Posted by razorguy View Post
    That's right Martin103. In my opinion Perret was the one who started the modern era of straight razors including techniques for shaving and honing. Last but not the least, he also was the very first to propose a safety razor.
    Yes, thats all part of the link in my previous post!

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    Senior Member razorguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Martin103 View Post
    Yes, thats all part of the link in my previous post!
    Sorry I could not read the page you linked as I am traveling right now and have limited Internet connection.
    I am glad we are all trying to unfold the history of our beloved straight razor. Very interesting thread!
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    The RazorGuy - StraightRazorChannel on Youtube and Google+

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    Nice info, Men! Very interesting stuff! I hope Neil will soon be around for this thread?
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    "Don't be stubborn. You are missing out".
    I rest my case.

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