Thread: Straight razor Original owner stories

That's a fantastic story! What a privilege to have that heirloom razor! It's great that you included the pics if family too. Thats what this thread is all about!

Here is another one with a story that I forgot I had. My upstairs neighbor is from Quebec. He and his wife come down here and spend 4 or 5 months every year. He is 74 years old and a very vigorous man. Ran marathons when he was younger and still gets up early and jogs every day. So I was wearing my SRP t-shirt and he struck up a conversation with me about razors. I told him that I shave with them daily and hone them as a hobby.

Later that day Viktor knocked on my door and said that he had no use for this razor. It had belonged to his father and he wanted me to have it. Well I was amazed and gratified that he would pass this heirloom on to me. He said it was 'very sharp' and told me to be careful. I assessed the edge and it would cut butter but that was about it. I call this razor 'Viktor' after the gentleman who gave it to me. Honed up nicely and shaves well.

The tang stamp, in script, seems to read "Alcosa" but it is a bit obscure. As you can probably see there are three letters inscribed in front of it around a set of weighing scales, A W S. The same logo is on the mark side scale. Note the stamping on the pile side tang. Illustrates the reputation of Sheffield steel "real hollow ground in Germany" back before WWII. I figure this razor to be 1920s or maybe '30s.

I bet Viktor felt great when he went home, knowing that razor would stay on the line & continue to serve.
Those scales are in perfect condition. A great story & beautiful razor.

It's awesome to see 100 year old gold leafing / wash like that!
Another great story. I agree with his decision to pass it along to you jimmy, these things Belong in the hands of those who appreciate it.
I know when I go I'd rather have my razors go to some one who will love and use them rather than have my family part it out for nickels and dimes. That why I'm looking forward to teaching my kids to appreciate straights and to use them.., so te can stay in the family!
I've got a little time with the till though.... They are only 2 and 1 month old respectively.

Thank god we have the Hirlau conservatory in Florida to donate our razors to when we pass on

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Thank god we have the Hirlau conservatory in Florida to donate our razors to when we pass on

Yes, unless donut-eating zombies take over! We might need to send them sooner!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I gotta dig up the guy's business card that's running that place,,,,,

While as I posted, I only have One actual heirloom razor (my great grandfather’s) I’m blessed with having 6 ‘semi’ heirloom straights!!!

My old Boy Scout Scoutmaster and I keep in touch via email and when I told him that I’d taken up the art of shaving with and maintaining straight razors he asked me to drive back home as he has some to show me.

When I arrived, he went to his bedroom and returned with two boxes. He proudly opened the first and said that they were his father’s, brothers and brother in laws, (there were 7) his had been taken to Marine Corp Boot Camp and had to be sent home and was lost in the mail.

I explained the sizes, styles and where they were made. When I was finished, he put them all back in the box and handed the box to me saying, “I want you to have these”.

I was really taken back!!! I said “What about Steve and Mike”?!? (His two sons). He calmly replied “To them, their just chunks of steel, you’ll put them back in to use”. I was close to tears!

Two of the blades had cracks and couldn’t be salvaged; the other 5 are really nice shavers!! I took a couple back up after I’d just used some Mothers to clean them up and he was so pleased! When he looked at the first one that had etching on the blade, he said “Boy! You can actually read what it says now”!

I also have a very nice Griffin in the original coffin case that an old friend who I’ve known since Boy Scouts had and wanted me to sell for him (I’m sure that it was one of his grandfathers as his mother and father wouldn’t hold onto it with so much care) and reluctantly did, however the guy found that he didn’t have the patience to use a straight so I bought it back and use it regularly!

Anyway, I treasure all the razors that I’ve been very blessed to receive and will honor, treasure and take care of them just as I do with my Great Grandfather’s W&B!!

Great story, it's like Joe said, people want to see their cherished tools continue to serve.