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I bought this 1874 ran-tan-karus red devil today and I was hoping for some information about it. I'm also wondering if the scales are original or not and if so are they wort keeping even with the cracks Attachment 212932Attachment 212933Attachment 212934Attachment 212935Attachment 212936Attachment 212937
Welcome aboard,,,,,,
I have one & it's a great shaver. the one in your photo needs cleaning, of course & my only concern with it is the rust spot on the edge, toward the toe.
I don't know if the scales are original ,, as mine is in storage & my photos of it not readily available,,,, I'll dig them out later tonight & compare to yours.
Look under JOHN ENGSTROM here
Straight Razor Manufacturers and Dates of Operation
I just pulled the photos of mine, it has ivory scales on it , not like the ones on your razor; so I cannot tell you if they are original,,,sorry.
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How thick is the blade on yours because mine is only 4.5/8th Attachment 213056
She's stored away,,, I have no idea the size,,, I have vever actually measured any of my razors. The photos were from the purchase of the razor. My Red devil is a Max Sprecher restoration & those are his photos.
Is 1874 the year you think it was made?
I have one that was received in black bakelite scales that were cracked.
I've seen them with the devil logo, think Harry Wally posted a cool restoration thread on his. Also in bakelite I believe.
Mine is a 5/8th still.
Nice blade, love the shave I get from it.
Mine's in some home grown ash scales now I carved up like the devils tail.
Call it my Official Halloween kit. Was actually a featured SOTD last year I think, I was honoured to see.
Cheers.
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The one from Hirlau was a 6/8 extra full hollow. Sharp little devil :medvl:
Yep,,,, and not a bad restoration job that Sprecher fella did,,:beer2:
I believe that's the year it was made.
My Engstrom Red Devil shaves wonderfully still; http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...tan-karus.html
I sincerely think the OP's razor seems done. I hope it can be brought back.
Had no idea they were that old.
Tom your's is a beast! And hopefully there's still a hone or two left in the OP's.
Must have made a number of iterations of the brand. Your's has a real nice swoop to it's spine, mine seems more like the OP's, more straight-ish.
John's is right sexy and should not be stashed in a box!!:nono:
It's just not in the rotation right now,,, it stayed in the rotation the first year I had it.
I have to touch up a Puma this week, so I guess I can bring it out & put it on a Coticule,,, put it back in the rotation for a few months.
I am pretty sure the Ran-Tan-Karus Joh. Engströms were made in Eskilstuna for export to the USA, I have not seen the stamp on any Engströms in/from Sweden. I am not aware of any relation to John Engstrom Jr of Little Valley, New York. I thought there might be, but it appears unlikely.
I wish mine came out that niceAttachment 215993Quote:
Originally Posted by Hirlau
I believe that "Made in Sweden" would date the razor after 1911 (Madrid Agreement, 1911 Washington update)Quote:
Originally Posted by aaron1234
The use of trademark guidelines would have some "slack" due to production cycles and ratification.
The very general guideline would be:
City only ("Sheffield") - Pre 1892 +/-
City and country ("Sheffield England") 1892 -1911 +/-
Made in Country or City and Country ("Made in Sheffield England") Post 1911 +/-
Not every country was signatory to the Madrid Protocol and the acceptance and adherence was "problematic" to say the least.
And after WWI many German manufactures used only trade names or the names of the retailer or distributor.
So just because a razor has the name of some long forgotten Hardware Wholesale Company does not mean that it was not one of Germany (or some other country) finest work.
My guess would be your razor came from the early 1900's
And it now begins another life...
Smooth Shaving and thanks for sharing.
