I started out with the Dovo and used all my disposable income on razors for a few months. In order (I think):
- 5/8" wide, 2.75" long (cutting edge) Wapienica razor in green box. No markings on blade, but says "RASIERMESSER MIT METALLSCHALEN" and "SFK MADE IN POLAND" on the box. It's new in box, never used but handled a bit and clearly old. Stainless but it has some of the dark marking from age on it. I think these are from the 40s-60s. I actually have five just like it. These make for some of the better shaves I've had.
- 9/16 wide, 2.75" long. Basically the same as (1), but in a gray box and with a very slightly narrower blade.
- 9/16 wide, 2.5" long. Box says "Knight of Honor," but I don't believe it matches the blade. Blade says "Baby" in a diamond on one side and "B.B. Supply Co. Dayton, Ohio" on the other. Nice little razor, but needs some work to be a good shaver.
- 11/16" wide (supposedly 6/8"), 2.75" long. Dovo "Best Quality." Pretty standard, but it's still one of my favorites.
- 5/16" wide, 2.75" long. This one's neat--it ways "Bought May 18, ___0 on a Wednesday" on the front. Pretty cool. I think it is 1910, but I'm not sure. Anywho, the razor says "Shumate Razor Co" and "St. Louis, USA" on the front, with "Shumate's Ben Hur" on the back.
- 13/16" wide, 2.75 long. No markings on blade but box (original, I think) says "Royal S. Palmer Chicago, Ills Warranted" on it. Anybody know more about it? Pretty razor but needs a bit of work to be a good shaver.
- 5/8" wide, 2.75" long. Thankfully the seller didn't see the markings on this one. It looked like a quality knife so I picked it up for under $10, and when I got it I was really happy to see "Case Brothers" on it. I can't make out the rest--can anyone help? I see the following: "Case Brothers ___" on first line, "Little Valley ___" on the second. I can't make out the back at all. Well-used, gives a good shave.
- 5/8" wide, 2.5" long. "F. B. & S. Solingen, Germany" on the front, "Certified" on the back.
- 4/8" wide, 2.75" long. "Capitol Cutlery Co. Indianapolis, Ind. Made in Germany" on the front, "Knight of Honor" on the back. The scales are clearly homemade. Good blade.
- 5/8" wide, 2.5" long. "Burrell Cutlery Co. Inc. Elliottville, N.Y." and "Top Flight."
I have a few others 5/8" (Gleason First Quality with blue scales; 5/8" Cattaracus Cut. Co. Little Valley, NY Green Lizard on green scales; 6/8" Mt. Lebanon with cream-colored scales). I have 6 of the Wapis and will probably sell a few at some point.
Now I need to buy a hone and learn to get/keep them in shape. Anybody have a suggestion? I've seen some 12k grit chinese water stones on ebay and considered them. Good idea?
