Thread: Bengall Safety Razor

Hi SRP

I bought a Bengall Safety Razor recently (pic below).

The only markings on the razor are Made in England. The person I bought it from said it was from the 1920s but there is nothing to indicate its age.

There is obviously plenty of info in relation to Bengall straights but I cannot find any information whatsoever about Bengall safety razors.

Appreciate any info that someone on here might have.

Thanks and regards
Paul

I've just stolen the following from Neil Miller's site; I'm pretty sure he won't mind (my italics):

Originally from a farming family, Luke Cadman moved to Sheffield in 1740 and became a freeman of the cutlers company before being granted the "Bengall" mark. His sons Luke and Peter joined the company and by the early 1800s the Bengall brand had achieved a handsome international reputation. In the 1870s Thomas Radley Cadman took over the company. The inter-war period was hard for Cadman's and they diversified into other fields, including safety razor manufacture in 1933. They ceased trading in 1965.

nice lookin razor ya got there Paul

Originally Posted by Arrowhead

I've just stolen the following from Neil Miller's site; I'm pretty sure he won't mind (my italics):

Originally from a farming family, Luke Cadman moved to Sheffield in 1740 and became a freeman of the cutlers company before being granted the "Bengall" mark. His sons Luke and Peter joined the company and by the early 1800s the Bengall brand had achieved a handsome international reputation. In the 1870s Thomas Radley Cadman took over the company. The inter-war period was hard for Cadman's and they diversified into other fields, including safety razor manufacture in 1933. They ceased trading in 1965.

Thanks Andy

That's the first bit of information that I have seen on Bengall Safety Razors. It would appear that my razor is from the 1930s onwards rather than the 1920s as I thought previously.

Cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by Bazz

nice lookin razor ya got there Paul

Thanks Bazz

It's a really nice razor and looks much better than in the photo. Shaves really well too though a tad more aggressive than a Gillette I have in a similar style.

I am really surprised there is so little information about these razors. I have a Bengall straight and it is a superb razor. They also get good reviews from the shaving community.

I wonder if the lack of information is simply because the company was better known for its straights rather than its safety razors.

Cheers
Paul

yeah all I could find on the net and the board is the following it doesnt mention saftey razors but it makes mention of the fact that The firm diversified into the manufacture of scissors and dissection blades after the war in an attempt to increase business. prehaps this is around the time they pumped out the saftey razors ..hmmmmmm I got no idea but its a theory ,..either way I like it an I aint seen one before an if I hada seen your s on the bay I woulda been biddin on it if ya ever wish to part with it send me a pm ..lol...cheers Baz
Cadman, T. R. & Sons - Straight Razor Place Wiki

is the case leather bound , metal or bakerlite Paul ? bit hard for to tell from the pic , the case may give indication to its age ?

well Im up late cause I cant sleep atm so I kept searchin and I found this Paul , if correct 1933 has it

Thomas R Cadman & Sons in Sheffield, England. Originally from a farming family, Luke Cadman moved to Sheffield in 1740 and became a freeman of the cutlers company before being granted the "Bengall" mark. His sons Luke and Peter joined the company and by the early 1800s the Bengall brand had achieved a handsome international reputation. In the 1870s Thomas Radley Cadman took over the company. The inter-war period was hard for Cadman's and they diversified into other fields, including safety razor manufacture in 1933. They ceased trading in 1965.

heres the link
Vintage Cadman Bengall Straight Razor, Sheffied

Bazz

Originally Posted by Bazz

is the case leather bound , metal or bakerlite Paul ? bit hard for to tell from the pic , the case may give indication to its age ?

Hi Bazz

The case is leather and in pretty good condition.

Cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by Bazz

yeah all I could find on the net and the board is the following it doesnt mention saftey razors but it makes mention of the fact that The firm diversified into the manufacture of scissors and dissection blades after the war in an attempt to increase business. prehaps this is around the time they pumped out the saftey razors ..hmmmmmm I got no idea but its a theory ,..either way I like it an I aint seen one before an if I hada seen your s on the bay I woulda been biddin on it if ya ever wish to part with it send me a pm ..lol...cheers Baz
Cadman, T. R. & Sons - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Bazz

Thanks again for taking the time to look into this.

Given the lack of information about the Bengall I can only assume that the diversification into safety razors was short lived as they probably couldn't compete with the likes of Gillette. I would love to know how many of these razors are out there. Perhaps I have found something rather rare????

I will keep you in mind should I ever decide to sell it but I doubt if I will!!

Thanks again
Paul