Thread: C V Heljestrand

It could be that they were one of the cheaper models that Heljestrand made and they were produced on a larger scale than other models, that they're very small and have a wedgy grind would mean that they were easier and cheaper to make than the bigger more hollow razors. And I don't think I've ever seen one of them in anything other than celluloid/plastic scales.


It could also be that since they're very basic compared to other Heljestrand models, a lot more people are willing to part with their 24's than their Mk;30's,31's,32's,33's,42's...etc, so they seem a lot more common than they actually are.

I think I can answer that...

Alright : there is CVH (Carl Victor Heljestrand) and there is MK (Martin Kindal), two very separate firms.

Here is the gist of it.
Martin Kindal is (still exists) a high end cuttlery seller. Very high end goods, very high end clientelle, at least at the turn of the 20th century.

Martin Kindal would, AFAIK, along some other high end sellers (eg : sellers from Place Vendome at the same time), often resort to CVH for the quality of their blades. The Martin Kindal specific blades are prefixed MK (ex MK 31, MK 32).

Thing is, not all CVH blades are MK. So, a "not MK" CVH is somehow a "lesser brand".

Then, you have to consider that CVH would most of the time forge "small blades", they have a reputation for that.
And they would forge "simple" blades (eg MK2, MK4, MK24) and "outstanding" blades (MK 31, MK 32, etc). You will find some are far more elaborate than others. MK 32 is for example an outstandingly large and well though model.
Indeed most "ivory - MOP -Tortoise" MK razors would have a MK 31 or MK 32 blade.

And there you have it, the factors that make a CVH blade expensive or not :
- Brand (MK or not MK)
- Luxury range (MK2 vs MK31 for example)
- Size (the large ones are fairly rare)

As a matter of fact, there is quite a simple way to have MK quality (and it's as good as they say) for cheap.
CVH shared the patented recipe for their steel, and most probably their smith, with another lesser known brand : JA Hellberg

For example : a JA Hellberg with a MK 31's scales (the blade went on the MOP MK31 that I traded to a MK collector for a restoration)



Anyway engine46 have fun with this one. I find them easy to hone, and outstanding shavers (almost the only hollow blades that I like)