Identification, Definition of the Approximate Age of the Straight Razor

Identification, definition of the approximate age of the straight razor.

In this article I would like to highlight some points that may help determine the approximate age of the razor.

Obviously, at the very beginning to be mentioned Benjamin Huntsman, a watchmaker from the town of Doncaster (about 20 miles north of Sheffield), England. It was he who in 1740 finally perfected his crucible steel process and realised that this process could be used to make superior tools and cutlery. Since that time, the story goes, and razors, we're talking about.

Many 18th-century razors are stamped "Cast Steel" or "Acier Fondu," which dates them later than 1772, as the commercial use of cast steel. These stamps were used till about 1830.

"Warranted", 1800-1830. Since 1830s, manufacturers began to put their stamp on blades. Prior to that, there're also stamped with the names of the razor manufacturers, but this wasn't widespread.

From the same time manufacturers started making light hollow ground blades.

Wedge blade on the left side, light hollow ground blade on the right. The full hollow ground blades have begun to make since 1870s. The table of tails can also help in establishing the age of razors. I think, we must individually mention the frameback:

They were made between 1820s-1870s. The most popular they were in the '50s of the 19th century.

In determining the age Sheffield razors, should always bear in mind that many manufacturers put the stamp of King / Queen, who was on the throne.

King George IV, 1820-1830: King William IV, 1830-1837:

Queen Victoria, 1837-1901:

But at the end of her reign, the tradition of stamps like "Cutlers to Their Majesties" or "V(crown)R" was lost.

An important role in determining the age of razors, knives, and virtually any product of the late 19th century is The Madrid Agreement, and The McKinley Tariff Act. Both documents were signed and entered into force in 1891. The documents are of interest to us, that since 1891, the country of production must be placed by the manufacturer. In practice, it looks like this:

Before 1891: After 1891: In 1914, under the Tariff Act, manufacturers must indicate the country of manufacture as a "made in ...", and since 1921, it should be printed in English.

For more information about these documents can be found on my website: http://www.strazors.com/index.php?id=325

The use of stainless steel in razors, knives and other cutlery was begun in around 1915. From the newspaper "New York Times", 1915:

Stainless steel HESS razor. Sources:

"Standard Guide to Razors", Roy Ritchie & Ron Stewart,

Website Wikipedia www.wikipedia.org

SRP forum www.straightrazorplace.com