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Bengall - What's In A Name?

Can someone please explain to me the history of the Bengall name?

I have a Cadman Bengall from the 1920's which is simply my best shaving str8 and a beautiful thing.

My friend Paul has 19th century Swedish Bengalls and I also see there's a proliferation of them in New Zealand as well as "Bangalls.
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How is it that the Bengall name is associated with so many different manufacturers, different countries and different centuries?
 
Just to add to the confusion, I have a "Bangall" that is, as near as I can tell, a Bengall. It is also my best/favorite shaver.

So, I just noticed, I've added nothing. Rather, I've learned my razor may be from NZ. thanks!
 

Legion

OTF jewel hunter
Staff member
I don't think any Bengalls were made in NZ. Many were exported there (and Australia, India, Canada... Most of Cadmans production was made for export to the British colonies.)
 
Very good razors, cannot fault mine at all, and so good I bought a second one. No idea about the names though!
 
I have a 5/8 Sheffield Bengall that says full concave on the blade. It's in excellent condition. I purchased it on the bay from a seller in Sweden. My shaves rank right up there with my Filly's. Now if I could just find one with a 8/8 blade.
 
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I'm in NZ and as soon as you start to dig for a straight, Bengall's are everywhere. By far the most common straight over here. There's always a few for sale on our version of the bay and most antique shops have them....on both counts they're generally in need of a restore. I've got two myself, 6/8th and a 7/8th and they're fantastic razors. Obviously not made out here, just shipped in from the UK. I've never seen or heard of a Bangall though.
 
I just picked up a 6/8 Bengall today and it should be here sometime next week, but I noticed on one side it just said Made In England. Most of what I have seen says Cadman & Sons Sheffield, England. This has been the only one that I have seen stamped in this fashion, anyone have any idea's?
 
Can someone please explain to me the history of the Bengall name?

I have a Cadman Bengall from the 1920's which is simply my best shaving str8 and a beautiful thing.

My friend Paul has 19th century Swedish Bengalls and I also see there's a proliferation of them in New Zealand as well as "Bangalls.
"

How is it that the Bengall name is associated with so many different manufacturers, different countries and different centuries?
Bengall is simply the name of a process to make steel out of iron. The process was first used in the Indian state of Bengal, hence the name. The process was described and used in Europe in the early 1800's, mainly in Sheffield, UK first.

I have used straights made with this method in Sweden and in the UK. The method was promptly replaced with the more sophisticated methods developed in Sweden (Eskilstuna) and the UK (Sheffield) in the early 1900's.

One of the plants in Sweden (Borlänge Maskinfabrik) even used the label 'Bengall' in their marketing. Many plants did the same, all over the world. The name was associated with quality at that time.


$Swedish steel1.jpg
Bengall razor by Borlänge Maskinfabrik lowest in picture​
 

cleanshaved

I’m stumped
Bengalls are great razors and can be had here for a modest price. As already said none are made in NZ but a lot of the have made for "blar blar blar" etched on the blade.
 
Bengall is simply the name of a process to make steel out of iron. The process was first used in the Indian state of Bengal, hence the name. The process was described and used in Europe in the early 1800's, mainly in Sheffield, UK first.

I have used straights made with this method in Sweden and in the UK. The method was promptly replaced with the more sophisticated methods developed in Sweden (Eskilstuna) and the UK (Sheffield) in the early 1900's.

Thank you! This is the answer that I was looking for.
It also explains why the Bengall steel shaves so good and feels different from my other str8s.

But weren't Bengalls being made into the 1930's?
 
Thank you! This is the answer that I was looking for.
It also explains why the Bengall steel shaves so good and feels different from my other str8s.

But weren't Bengalls being made into the 1930's?
Definitely at least in Sweden by Borlänge Maskinfabrik. That is the logo was there but I don't know about the method. According to my sources the shop was not into new methods at all, compared to the larger ones in Eskilstuna (read: Heljestrand!).

The Swedish steel manufacture took off during these years and the old ways learned from Sheffield soon became symbols of staleness and unwillingness to develop new methods and products.
 
Ok - weirdly someone's sending me a Swedish Bengall to hone for them and I'm excited to try it now!

Maybe the name was associated with quality and so retained as a brand name even after the new steel processes were introduced...
 
Definitely at least in Sweden by Borlänge Maskinfabrik. That is the logo was there but I don't know about the method. According to my sources the shop was not into new methods at all, compared to the larger ones in Eskilstuna (read: Heljestrand!).

The Swedish steel manufacture took off during these years and the old ways learned from Sheffield soon became symbols of staleness and unwillingness to develop new methods and products.

That's really interesting! I saw a LOT of Bengalls coming from Sweden (at least sold from there on ebay) and was wondering why, as I thought they were only made in England.
 
For what it's worth I have a number of what are considered high end razors and and my Bengalls right up there with them in performance
 
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