I recently picked up a bunch of vintage straight razors recently (see here: My Latest Haul) ...but I do need your assistance to possibly identify or get any information you may have on this one. No other marking other than the "Our Shield and "GERMANY" on the tang; and "The Perfect" etched on the blade.
That'll be tough unless you find the right person who's seen that shield before. I'm pretty sure that's going to be your main clue. Looking at the A to Z list of razor manufacturers, there was a Lancaster PA company called Phil Eisemann whose blades were made in Germany and had a shield for their symbol. That's the closest I can find for a possible match. There was also a company called Depew from New York that called their product "The Perfect Razor", but no mention of them importing their blades. Sure is a nice blade anyhow. I wish I could find them like that here. Is that a solid bakelite tang? If so, you won't want to actually use it, because that will be super brittle.
I've never seen that one either. There were 100's of razor makers in Germany and many are not mentioned in Unielectra or Taylor's. I like the covered tang.
It looks to be ivoroid plates on both sides of the metal tang. I know ivoroid was commonly used for years on musical instruments (guitars, mandos, banjos) for years as an inexpensive alternative to pearl or ivory, but this is just an educated guess. Here is a closer look at the shield logo: No other markings I can find on the tang nor blade unfortunately, Glen. Here is an image I found of a Boker pearl. The shoulder and heel certainly look 'boker-esque. The spine is triangular.
That really looks "Bokerish" to my eyes Kevin Go to Google images and type in Boker Covered Tang and you will see what I mean, that shoulder and tang conjunction is pretty distinct Of course that is no guarantee but dang they look alike
I agree on the similarities between the Boker & this mystery model, Glen. How common is the triangular spine on this razor seen on a Boker?
Congrats, whoever made it, it's nice. Kevin here's a link in case you don't already have it. Many makers made razors with a bunch of different names. http://www.archivingindustry.com/cutlers&toolmakers/razormakers.htm
Thanks, Oscar. That is QUITE the comprehensive list! I need to contact the webpage designer on that page and suggest NOT using white text AND to left-justify the text. Reading centered text in long scrolling spans is not only poor typography, but a disservice to even the most dedicated of readers.
Kevin the same link above list makers marks for knives and daggers and I've noticed quite a few razor makers in there but you need to get to the page in front of the one I posted.
That razor just looks better and better the more you show it. Anyone know a reason for the triangular spine? Reduction of weight perhaps?
Still snooping to find more about this razor. closest I've found to the emblem on the tang is this one: …which is the coat of arms to Columbia University (emblem created in 1949). However, using a 40x lupe, it appears the 3 icons on the razor shield may not all be the same shape (i.e. not all are crowns)...
I'm not sure what they are, but they don't look like crowns to me. Interesting about the CU coat of arms.
Glen, if you're speaking of the tang 'pins' it looks to be two on both sides. The one pictured above (below the "O" on "Our) is slightly recessed (hence the shadow), while the other is flush ("D" in "Shield"). Conversely, on the flip side, the pin is 'proud'—opposite the recessed side. Which has me wondering if I were to depress the 'proud' pin, will the pin on other side become flush with the surface?
I guess the blue color has it looking "Off" I would be very very very careful moving the pins, those Tang covers break if you look at them crosseyed I have re-built a few of them over the years, looking for links Here is one you might want to see Look at the spine http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/wilbert-royal-covered-tang-rebuild-some-friends.27568/
