Böhler Stahl 'Star of David' Razor

I recently completed a razor that's been hanging around the shop unfinished for months.
I picked it up mid-last year off ebay, and was compelled by the unique history of the company: an Austrian company started in 1870 by two Jewish brothers, Emil and Albert Böhler. Their company stamp (a Star of David) reflected their faith and was used extensively in all their metal work. By the time the 1930s came around, the political climate in Austria had changed and the Böhler company was compelled to remove any symbol considered 'Jewish' and thus the Star of David was removed. Today, Böhler Steel is an international company with a solid rep for fine steel.

The straight razor itself was in pretty beat-up shape, but had real potential.


Many, many hours of fine detailed sanding & polishing to remove years of built up grime, scratches and gunk—and yet not harm the existing white and gold wash. Tedious work, to say the least.

Getting close to the finish line and and assembly...


Cleaned up, polished and honed….
11/16 carbon steel blade, round point; stainless pins & washers



Many tight detailed spaces on the blade that require cleaning…



The steel took a very keen edge. Finished off the Apache Red (8-10k) > Apache Strata (10-12k); linen & leather strop. I originally had anticipated selling this razor, but after all the time I've invested, coupled with the quality of the shave it gave, I'm holding off and will simply enjoy this unique razor.

 

Beautiful work, beautiful razor!

 

Excellent work Kevin!

 

Very nice!

 

You do great work!

 

Beautiful, great job.

 

I shall probably never see such a razor but your photos are some compensation.

 

To be honest, I've only seen one other Böhler Stahl straight razor— Jamie Mahoney was working on one some time ago and I recall him referencing the 'Star of David' icon—which piqued my interest in locating one.
Supposedly the steel used on these is exceptional.

 

Really well done

That took some serious time to get done and it shows in the quality of the overall restore Kev

 

Wow... what a beauty!

 

Never sell that! (but if you do I will be all over it). What a beautiful piece of history.

Of particular interest to me as I am of Austrian descent....

 

Beautiful work on this razor! Congratulations.

 

Very Nice.

 

Amazing!

 

Nice work Kev

 

Of all your razors you have shown, this is my favorite one. I may have even broken our #10th on this one.

 

To top it off, this beauty turns out to also be an exceptionally smooth shaver as well.
Unlike the many razors that pass through my hands, I can safely say that this Böhler is a keeper!

 

Wow, that looks great! Fantastic job on the restoration, and I like the story behind the razor!

 

Bohler Stahl razors made some of the finest razors and steel to be found anywhere, I manged to pick up a mint one a few months back then foolishly sold it I regret it to be honest it was a super shaver and held such a superb edge.


Bohler Stahl (steel) dates back to the 1800s in Austria Vienna.
After some quick research I was able to find that this German cutler was actually a Jewish company which was forced to remove its stamp from their razors during the Second World War - a Jewish Star of David which this razor would have had during pre Nazi Germany.