Old Razors

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unky_gumbi

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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So I went to visit my antiques dealer friend today and came home with a box of old knives and a few old razors. The most interesting to me is the Auto Strop Razor Co. near complete with case, but it is missing the strop and I am not to sure about what else is missing from it. It has a blade in it and two extra blades still in their packaging and well greased. I also got a pair of straight razors. One is a Griffon XX 60 Carbo Magnetic, and I am still trying to nail down the other. It has the same scales as the Griffon but no real writing on the blade other than J.B. Deganne Montreal. Last but not least I got the majority of a Rolls Razor, its missing the handle:(, and the honing stone is cracked. The head, blade and case are in great condition so that's something.

I am going to clean up the auto strop and post some pictures later. Then there are about 20 knifes in the box I need to check over for hidden jems, I know there is a Robeson Cutlery aluminum handled knife in there and from the tang stamp I would guess its from the early 1900's. Once it has soaked for a bit and I get most of the rust dissolved I will post it over in the BL forum to confirm it.
 
OK so I did a little cleaning on the razors and this is what I got
First up is the incomplete Roll Razor
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The strop has a nick in it and the hone is cracked but the blade is in amazing condition, no rust and barely any patina on it, if it only had a handle:o

Then there are the straight razors, I was a little disappointed when I got a good look at the Griffon, it has a sizable chip at the end. I don't so much think its a chip as much as it has just been eaten away by rust.

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The unknown straight is in better condition but may have a bit of a wave in the edge, but that just could be the light and my eyes.

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Now on to what I consider the real find, the 1914 Auto Strop Razor. The case has no major dents or any rust.

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The latch works and closes solidly, it even has 2 unused blades with packaging grease still on them and the original blade box.

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It doesn't show well in that picture but he purple velvet lining in the case is in great condition for something that was 20 years old let alone something pushing 100 years. I am almost tempted to give this one a try in the near future and I have read that Feather still makes blades for it, so the fact that I don't have the hone for it or the strop may not be a problem.

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There is no stiffness to any of the moving part on it, and although the blade that is is in it is dull and discolored the two blades in the packaging look like the day they were made.
Now I have to get to work on the knives in the box, this is what I have to work through
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had a mint rolls razor but sold it in 98, the straights are no great value & would need serious rebeveling by a person like phillip dobson if one is going to use them. in fact you would find it cheaper to look for razors at the flea market that had good edges
 
I know a little about razors the ones you picked up are near worthless made around 1900 not worth more than 5 bucks each . Sorry , but I thought ide let you know the auto strops are pretty common too. the pocket knives were a good score. kellyw
 
I wasn't going to sell the Auto Strop Razor, I just think its cool and something to hang on to. Now if I had the hone and strop for it I may even try shave with it, but from what I have been reading the blades for these things need some serious work on the hone and strop before they can shave, so I guess it will just be an oddity in the cabinet for me to look at from time to time. At first glance the straights looked good but on closer inspection I realized that they were beyond usable. It is always nice to have some history around any how.
 
unky_gumbi said:
OK so I did a little cleaning on the razors and this is what I got
First up is the incomplete Roll Razor
DSC01711.jpg

DSC01712.jpg

DSC01714.jpg


The strop has a nick in it and the hone is cracked but the blade is in amazing condition, no rust and barely any patina on it, if it only had a handle:o

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Click to expand...

You do have the handle for the Rolls Razor. You just haven't figured out how to remove the handle from the case. If I can dig mine out, I'll go through the process and post it.

ETA After checking, you are missing the handle. Possibly one could be made?
 
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