Acquired a Straight from a family member.

[rhino616]

Hey everyone,

First let me say im relatively new to wetshaving and strictly use a DE. My knowledge of straight razors is very limited.

I recently acquired a straight razor from my grandpa, i dont plan on shaving with it obviously but i was looking for a little bit of information as to what it is? Just something to add to my collection and has some sentimental value to me. Anyways here is a few pics.

I havent had a chance to clean it up and from the looks of it its not in very good shape. Any info on it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JBLAZE725]

Hey everyone,

First let me say im relatively new to wetshaving and strictly use a DE. My knowledge of straight razors is very limited.

I recently acquired a straight razor from my grandpa, i dont plan on shaving with it obviously but i was looking for a little bit of information as to what it is? Just something to add to my collection and has some sentimental value to me. Anyways here is a few pics.

I havent had a chance to clean it up and from the looks of it its not in very good shape. Any info on it would be greatly appreciated.

Just saw that over on bb.com. Nice piece. I'm sorry I can't help, but I'm sure I know less than you about straights. Why don't you want to get it honed up and shave with it? Is it too far gone to shave with or are you just interested in keeping it as an heirloom?

 

[rhino616]

Just saw that over on bb.com. Nice piece. I'm sorry I can't help, but I'm sure I know less than you about straights. Why don't you want to get it honed up and shave with it? Is it too far gone to shave with or are you just interested in keeping it as an heirloom?

I honestly have no idea if it could ever be shave ready.

Ill have to do some research and see what it would take to get it shave ready, there are no chips or nicks in the blade, and the scales seem to be in pretty good condition. It will definitely need to be sent off to be honed if i decide i want to go that route. If not, its more than welcome in my shaving den as just a piece of my collection.

 

[Joshua Da Silva]

that razor can be made shave ready. I think.

My knowledge of straights is very limited but I've seen pictures of razors that looked much worse and were considered salvageable. You just need to clean it and hone it and you're good.

 

[rhino616]

Heres some info that the people over at straightrazorplace found for me.

Griffon Cutlery Works produced razors from 1893-1921.

The Griffon Cutlery Works was founded in 1888 by Albert L. Silberstein (1866-?). They manufactured razors, nail files and a great many types of scissors, including (as the signs say) pinking shears, nippers and manicure sets, as well as "Ladies' Button Hole" scissors. Their trademark registration also mentions embroidery scissors, poultry shears, barber shears, tweezers, pushers, blackhead removers and nose scissors.

Originally located on Broadway (until around 1915), then at 74-76 Fifth Avenue, they moved into this building on West 19th Street in 1920 and remained here until 1968. They also had a factory and branch outlet in Solingen, Germany.

These signs probably date from the early 1920s. A little re-touching, however, took place later. In the 1940s Griffon decided to rename itself Griffon Cutlery Corp. instead of Griffon Cutlery Works. So "Corp" was painted over the word "Works" in the bottom right.

During the 1960s and for a time after they left New York for Inwood, NY, Griffon Cutlery maintained a showroom at 385 5th Ave.

 

[rhino616]

that razor can be made shave ready. I think.

My knowledge of straights is very limited but I've seen pictures of razors that looked much worse and were considered salvageable. You just need to clean it and hone it and you're good.

hmmm.. the wheels in my head are turning, im getting very interested in getting it cleaned up and shave ready. I dont think ill EVER go to primarily straight razors, but it would be cool to have a shave ready straight.

 

[kenrup]

Your razor is a very good candidate for restoration and use. It will come back very nicely.

 

[rhino616]

Im going to look into sending it out to get it honed after i clean it up.

From my VERY limited knowledge the blade seems to be 5/8 and very close to full hollow. Feel free to correct me if my straight razor "lingo" is wrong.

Would this be conisdered a good razor for a beginner if i got it honed and shave ready? Im not in a hurry to take the plunge into straight razor shaving, there is still A LOT of research to be done on my part.

 

[mdunn]

yeah, it looks like it'll clean up just fine.

For a beginner - yeah, its a great razor to start with.