Thread: My Grandfather's razors

I told my grandfather that I started shaving with straights and he went into the basement and pulled out a box, dug around for a while and came out with the following:

4/8 Grelot
6/8 Butcher Brothers
4/8 Venture Brothers
4/8 Joseph Allen NON.XLL wedge
Holley (the Frankenstein looking razor that someone must have chopped up)
8/8 Silogram (white scales that say Black Diamond) has rust


I already have his strop and a very nice barber hone from him. He is coming up on 85 and really wants a digital camera, so I am thinking about selling these razors and getting him the camera.

The thing is I don't know much about the Grelot or the Butcher Brothers- probably the two best razors in the lot. I guess Theirs and Issard took over the Grelot name and Butcher Brothers, as I have read on these boards, is a later version of the Wade and Butcher?

Any info on these would be great, and also does anyone here specialize in french razors, anyone you can refer me to so I can pm them to get some info on the Grelot.

Thanks,

Eric

Unless the rust is a lot worse than i see in the pic I think that the black diamond will cleanup very nicely. I've not been in it as long as many of these guys but have not seen those particular scales before, I think you've got a keeper there. I don't know that much about collectibility and values, but if it were me I think I'd sell the rest if you're so inclined and keep that one. as much as I'm sure he wants a digital camera he probably would love the fact that you were shaving with a razor that had been his.

you sound like a good grandson

Red

Is it just me or does that "frankenrazor" have a massive tang and tail! She must have been a looker in her day.

Nice set of razors! Nobody in my family has straights to pass down, but I will be sure to pass mine down in the future!

A great tradition to carry on.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is it just me or does that "frankenrazor" have a massive tang and tail! She must have been a looker in her day.

Looks like those 7 day sets with changeable blades... Wonder where the other 6 are

I agree. The money value of those razors is nowhere near the personal value of keeping them. If I were your grandfather I'd be way more excited hearing that you'd like to shave with a couple and restore, or just frame and keep the rest.

That's all my opinion. Only worth what it's worth.

If these where handed down to me from my grandfather you would be hard pressed to find a situation under which I would give them up.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Is it just me or does that "frankenrazor" have a massive tang and tail! She must have been a looker in her day.

I think this one could be awesome with a little shining up and a new set of scales... Man, I'd go for it!

Guys, I appreciate the feedback, but he didn't shave with these, I don't even think he knew how many he had they were in a box with a bunch of knives. My grandfather and I have a few more hobbies in common, and I have a some other things from him including, (regarding shaving) a strop and barber stone. I will probably keep the butcher brothers and sell the grelot and some others. I have no idea how much the grelot is worth so it will probably go to ebay.

I just sent gramps a new digital camera and I don't mind the idea of selling razors I will never use, he didn't know he had, to refill the coffers some.

That Frankenblade is a monster. Holly mfg co. "edge" - the scales on this thing are wild too, a combination of steel, bakelite and electrical tape. It's ugly!