I just got this as a Christmas present and I have been researching for days! The box is friedr herder abr sohn. It has the spades and also the crossed skeleton keys trademark on the box. Hercules is imprinted in the blade. M &F Solingen is on the tang next to the handle. It looks to be rare and expensive but I don't want to know the history for price. I want to know the history behind it so I know what I am shaving with, perhaps a kings old straight razor, how cool would that be?
Looks like a 1930's era Solingen SR might be newer Shoulderless hollow grind nice longer tail and a Hollow Notch point Should be a great shaver once honed The Figual Scales have a separate value, as there are collectors of just the scales, if they are in great shape and have NO warping... ps: The Box and the Razor are not related, two different companies
I have done a lot of research and have came up with nothing. I'm starting to think that the razor isn't original to the box? No markings on the straight razor as far as manufacturer goes but the box reads " spade trademark, then Friedr Herder Abr Sohn, and then crossed skeleton keys trademark at the end. Can anyone give me any information on this? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They are perfect! No cracks, chips, just perfect. I don't put a whole lot of stock in people's words but, my aunt said the seller said all they know was it was over a 100 years old. The scales aren't plastic as there are no injection mold sprues anywhere, inside or outside. I was told that the handle was either one or ivory. I am a rookie hahaha!!! Anymore information would be greatly appreciated. I don't care about value, just the history! I don't like selling things that I acquire. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Might Not be the Original Box..I have a Couple of Herders..They have the Herder Name on the Tang..The Spade & Cross Keys was a Herder Trademark.. Billy..
I just posted a pic of the TM to a good friend that might have it listed, as my books show "Nutin Honey"
That would be awesome!! Just to show that I have researched until I went dry, I have learned that I doubted the box matched the blade. That manufacturers made blanks for barbers and hardware stores. These people then would have the blade personally engraved for their business and what not. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, and there are many types of it Highly flammable, some types are also unstable and break down, which is why I asked about warping, that is often the first sign of what is called "Cell Rot"
Could the fact that other than "M&F Solingen" on the blade that it is rare? Or perhaps a mass produced no namer that has no significant historical value? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I found one sold on eBay, by M & F Solingen. I would bet that M & F was a small company, and Hercules was the model they sold. They could have made it themselves, or could have just bought generic blades, and had them custom stamped. Nice scales. So, are you going to hone it up, and give it a shave?? Here is a link to another M&F: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-266-M-amp-F-034-LONGINES-034-STRAIGHT-RAZOR-/381799843296?hash=item58e50b45e0:g:TTcAAOSwNRdX9Fjk&nma=true&si=jd1qnyQOOtDOy8MYMyLzOyiMPm0%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
$25 for the M&F "Longines' model. The 'Hercules' may have been another model offered with fancier scales.
here is what my source says so far, still looking for years of Manufacture Glen, temporary nothing. Hercules is the Heinrich Kaufmann trademark. M&F is Horse Brand, but nothing more yet.
I can't find any information in books or the Internet about M&F. It's either rare or it's a no name junk piece? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Awesome! I'll try to look it up using those keywords. I feel I have tried every keyword configuration there is and came up empty handed lol. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
@Geno This webpage indicates Heinrich Kaufmann 1905 http://www.archivingindustry.com/cutlers&toolmakers/razormakers.htm