What would you consider to be a straight razor from the Wild West? Would it have to be American? Has anyone got a razor from this period, that you might say is truly a Wild West straight razor? Please, for the love of God, if you've got pictures - show me
I think there was still "The Wild West", up until around 1905. So, many of our straight razors are that old.
The Wild West (commonly defined as the time period between 1865-1895)— As Scott mentioned above, a significant number of old Sheffield razors you see being used in the SOTDs are from that era, if not earlier. The primary export market for many of those Sheffield makers of that time period was the USA. Some of the truly old straights were made in the early 1800s (those peculiar-looking stub-tailed razors!) and many date from the first quarter of the 19th century. The Civil War-era Wostenholm linked here predates the 'Wild West' time period. This fine old George Wostenholm & Sons 'Washington Works' (1848-1920s) 'Celebrated IXL' French-point I'd place comfortably within the Wild West era, pre-1890. All -original.
Here is an old one, around 200 or more years old. It was tonight's shave. Razor- W.Greaves & Sons. Stubtail Razor.
Thanks HolyRollah and Scott, for including the dates of the Wild West - I never imagined that it was such a short period of time. It seems so many British razors went out to the US but I've got something to aim for now. I love the French point razor. It's very nice.
It was Common Place Back in that Period & Beyond for USA Business Entrepreneurs to Privately Invest in UK Based Cutlery Companies..Big Time..The UK at that Time had the Most Advanced MEANS of PRODUCTION on the Planet.. Those Particular Sheffield Razor Companies Primarily Made their Blades for the Expanding USA Market & Population..Also..Sheffield had a Cheap Skilled Labour Work Force that worked for around 18 Hrs a Day..Including Very Young Children..Many Died of Starvation & Exhaustion on the Production Line..The UK was Not a Nice Place..In Fact..It Still Aint.. Billy..
This certainly removes any of the romantic views of history we tend to want to give these periods. Here are a few images from the Wostenholm Washington Works factory, ca. late 1800s, the factory that made the razor I posted above (Source: Egginton Group, Sheffield)
