Thread: Straight razor Original owner stories

The Razor.

The stone.

That's an awesome story and an incredible razor pixel!

I've had a few with at least partial histories. One, a Wade & Butcher, belonged to the eBay seller's grandfather. That one I resold to a member here.



Before anybody gets judgmental about someone that'd sell their grandfather's razor: I've spent the last month cleaning out my mother's house, I'm here to tell you it's entirely possible for a close relative to have so much stuff that something like a razor doesn't represent a drop in the ocean.

Another I've got with a history is a French razor I got from France. Communicating with the seller through internet translation was a very special challenge, but I've done some research on my own and his claims are plausible. He said it belonged to a doctor and Rosicrucian in the early 1920's. It's a Rameau, and a fantastic shaver. Also has the nicest name engraving I've ever seen in a set of scales.

Ok! A good idea! I think these stories and razors should be documented. This pair of razors (on the right) are smaller Rodgers in ivory. Only pic I can find right now! The box has the initials on the lid as well. A quote from the person I bought them from:
" They belonged to William R P Clark, a San Francisco doctor who was a good friend of my aunt's and also related to her by marriage. I met Dr. Clark only once, in 1947 when my sister and I visited that aunt in SF. They lived in the same apartment tower on Russian Hill that had a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. He was 78 then and I believe died in the 50's. That's about all I can tell you. If you google him, you'll find a medical paper on tuberculosis that includes a comment from him"

Anyway, a doctor back in the day. Perhaps exceptional, perhaps not! At least I know who he was.




A few more pics

This pair infuriates me.



I got them from completely separate vendors, hundreds of miles apart who got them from completely different estate auctions and just happened to put up auctions that ended within 20 minutes of each other. Both razors have an owner's name and town engraved on the pile side.



One name is very hard to read, the other is too common to track, despite the very tiny town of Danville, Ohio. (The other appears to be John {something} from Woodstock, Ohio).

My best guess is that they were gifts or commemorative items to members of the Grand Army of the Republic (a veterans organization for Union soldiers), but I can't track them.

The razors themselves were made around or after 1851, as this newspaper ad attests:

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

This pair infuriates me.



I got them from completely separate vendors, hundreds of miles apart who got them from completely different estate auctions and just happened to put up auctions that ended within 20 minutes of each other. Both razors have an owner's name and town engraved on the pile side.



One name is very hard to read, the other is too common to track, despite the very tiny town of Danville, Ohio. (The other appears to be John {something} from Woodstock, Ohio).

My best guess is that they were gifts or commemorative items to members of the Grand Army of the Republic (a veterans organization for Union soldiers), but I can't track them.

The razors themselves were made around or after 1851, as this newspaper ad attests:

Wow, that's an incredible pair! Given that names are engraved in the same font I would presume it was the same engraver who did them. Perhaps even an original razor manufacturer?

Great idea for the subject btw! Why don't we start a wiki on it? Have a featured razor story of the week etc?