Picked up a 7/8 C. V. Heljestrand MK140 from Japan. It’s going to be re-scaled in black horn to make a black-and-white pair with the one that I already have in ivory. Looking forward to seeing this set completed, these are nice razors though not as showy as the MK32/33 with the thumb notch and drip notch. Cheers, Steve
The MK 140 I bought NOS is a 7/8, and the one that’s on the way looks the same width. The MK 32/33 varied in width apparently, from 13/16 to 7/8. The MK 33 that I have is a hair wider than 13/16 but not quite a full 7/8. They’re hard to find in the wider sizes though, and if they’re the ivory-scaled, between-the-wars MK 32/33 in good shape, the prices are sky high. Part of the rarity may have been the markets, the pre-war ivory razors were export models for the US according to Arne (Polarbeard) who knows much more than I. And before WWII, the US population was in large part agrarian and frugal, so I imagine they didn’t sell loads of them.
Stoped by one of my honey hole junk shop and the had these beauties waiting for me. A Robeson Shuredge “The Pilot” and a Red Imp #133. Both in very good condition. The Shuredge has funky striped scales, no warping. Same with the Imp and the blued tang is all there.
I am waiting for a 19th C Wostenholm 7/8 IXL near wedge. It has been rescaled and the blade refurbished. It has been honed on a Jnat and is shave ready. The post tracking states that I should have it today!
I just got my Wostenholm 7/8 near wedge square point. I purchased it from a private seller not on Ebay! This is a renovated, 19th Century razor. The seller rescaled, polished and honed it. He used a Jnat to hone it so that it is shave ready. He also offered to hone it for me when the razor needs it.
Wisconsin gave up a few goodies today. A Boker, an Ontario Cutlery, a Yankee Cutlery, and an unused Page Stropper. It was a good day I am almost embarrassed about how little I paid for these razors.
D'ARCY'S Vulcan "7". $1.75. John D'Arcy C. St Louis. Kind of a hair raising buy. I bought it on March 3rd, and he did not mail it out, until the 19th. No replies for tracking, nothing, until a couple of days ago. I guess it was worth the $10.50 + $5.00 shipping. It had a little minor rust, that came off, without a problem. It looks like it has very minimal wear, and it measures 15/16th inch.
Not a Straight Razor, but some of you DORKO enthusiasts might enjoy seeing this. Cost was $8, and it looks unused. Any Idea how old it is???
Hair Clippers were Invented in the Mid 1800s...They were Used Until Fairly Recently by Some Military & Prison Barbers for Crew Cuts..Some Intel.. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw2kkHyENx8XEj6z8qulcx00&ust=1553383531722930 Billy..
Thought this was neat Scott... from Technical World Magazine (March 1913) Just tell them your beard is hard, medium or soft; whether you want a wide, medium or narrow blade; and round or square point... they will select the razor just for you!!! Over 80,000 Vulcan Razors mailed out is the claim... so they aren't wasting your time. Also looks like you should try it for a month and then send it back. I was able to get a 6/8 a little while back. Cool to see this different one. Love the 15/16 size. Congrats on the haul. Tom
After a long hiatus, I'm back with a new antique store find. Like usual, there was no time for research, the money was burning a hole in my pocket! But it was fairly cheap, I liked the scales and it looked in good shape. I just got done with my first attempt to shave with it. The results... I guess my attempts to hone it failed. Good news is there's nothing really wrong with it, but it still doesn't have a good edge. At least this gives me more opportunity to practice honing. And my after the fact research indicates this is a pretty common razor, but I can't pin down a date more specific than sometime in the 20th Century.
Robeson sold a razor brand called Terrier Cutlery and these scales were almost identical to those. Supposedly they only sold that brand from 1910-1916. My guess would be they used that design for the ShurEdge brand also. Beautiful razor and scales. Tom
Tom - If it really is from the 1910's, that's older than I would have guesses, but I really had no idea. Since I've gotten into straight razors, it's rare that I find one in an antique shop that has any noteworthy design elements. Usually, they're as plain as can be, which I guess makes sense since most of these would have been "just a razor" back in their day unlike today where straights are generally seen as a luxury item and have extravagant designs to match. So it was a pleasant surprise to find an antique that did have an interesting design in the scales.