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As the title suggests I have just acquired these two razors and some accessories form my French Grandfather, who lived a lot of his life in Yorkshire, any information or details would be most welcome.
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I can't give you any information about the razors but I will say that if they were mine, with that provenance, I would restore and use them with pride.
Family heirlooms to enjoy and pass along down generations. Superb!
Would that be the right thing to do? Mechanically it would be no problem as I am an engineer but I see countless programmes about keeping antiques in their original condition. I may be looking to move them on as I am a sometime beard wearer. I have plenty to remember my Grandfather by as he has a rich history being one time maitre d' at the savoy and a jockey/saddle maker.
Wow those are super nice and very awesome heirlooms. I will say this, IMHO I would keep them and restore them and use them even though you may have other items of remembrance. I too wear a beard most all the time on occasion I go to a goat, but most the time its a beard and I use a straight to maintain the area of my neck and cheek bones. That sir is just my opinion they are yours after all to do as you like. In the mean time enjoy them and be proud of them. :D
Thank you for those kind words; as a total novice, at the age of 54, to a straight razor I am very reluctant to try it, my father says mistakes are easy and painful!
Any idea of the materials used, I'm pretty sure the Kolibri is horn with a bone inlay, but what is the black handle on the Kropp?
What a gent he must have been, that is a colorful experience he involved himself in!Quote:
Originally Posted by stevescurr
I can't say as to handle material but you should give ot a shot. Take your time and try straight shaving it's not as bad as everyone thinks. I'm a novice and if it's sharp like it should be after a proper honing you really don't notice a cut/ nick. If you take your time and start out doing a bit at a time cuts should be few and far between. Each their own though sir : ) have a nice dayQuote:
Originally Posted by stevescurr
My Dad always told my Mother, "Sometime Ma, we're going to find him dead in a pool of blood." Never happened in 45 years of straight shaving. You will never know unless you try.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevescurr
There was more than that, although we only know the half of it, he spoke seven language's and acted as a courier for the Free French in WWII, we found out some years ago when I lived in Germany my Father had an half sister who lived 17km from me, that's when we found out about the Savoy as she had picture we had never seen!
My Grandmothers story was even more colourful, taking 2 years to flee Chantilly Paris with 2 sons when the Nazis invaded travelling through France, Spain and Portugal before settling as a refugee in England, again we only know half the story as when they were alive they would not speak about it.
Celluloid was a lot more common than horn on 20th century razors but I can't tell for sure from the pictures.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevescurr
Both of them look like they'd be fine to shave after a honing but if you decide to restore them I'd recomend practicing on some other razors that don't have any sentimental value first, or you could send them out to have it done for you.
Hot needle test right?
