Carl Schmidt Sohn Straight Razor / I Need Help w/ Info

[mistercitizen]

Hello guys,

I am a complete novice when it comes to straight razors so I was hoping I could find a little help here. I'm a DE guy, but my father pulled out an old German straight razor that used to belong to my great uncle, who was originally from Germany and born probably sometime around 1900. Anyway, here are the pictures of it:



Any information would be helpful, especially regarding shave readiness, shaveability, date manufactured, condition, type of grind on blade (1/4 hollow to wedge??), value (I'm guessing $30 to $60.... but that's just a guess), and condition. The scales are almost certainly original and the pivots work nicely. I don't think any reconditioning work has been done to it. Like I said, I know zilch about straights so.... Thanks in advance.

Ben

 

[mistercitizen]

More photos:



The blade measures about 1/2" and the case actually says Rudolph Grah.... so I don't know if the case goes with the razor?

Ben

 

[mistercitizen]

Anybody know anything about this razor? The only thing I could find was a pocket knife with the same mark on it when I did a google image search:





No other straight razors with the same markings on the blade come up though. What does the number "42" on the blade mean? Anyway, hope someone here knows something about it.

Ben

 

[Kailand09]

Being Solingen, most likely decent steel. Info on the manufacturer (still in business today):

http://www.industryarea.com/Carl_Schmidt_Sohn_AG/4488/company.html

their website - http://www.cs-solingen.de/english/1829_home.html

Searching for their name on knife forums shows they are pretty good, so I would assume the razor isn't bad at all, if anything pretty good. They seem to mainly be a knife manufacturer though, even since their start in 1829, so take that as you will.

 

[rickboone1]

As far as what type...who knows. Well, I know I don't know..

Shaveability...couldn't be able to tell by looking at pictures. It appears in good shape and chances are it's been sitting around for quite a while so, it'd need to be honed. In otherwords, it can be made shave ready. If you'd like, I'd be willing to do it for you, pay shipping. That's all. Good steel. I can't tell...wedge grind? Great overall shape.

 

[mistercitizen]

Thanks for the information. I was pretty sure that it would need to be honed. You're right, it has been sitting around for a very long time. My great uncle has been passed away for 40 years, and I bet he's the last person to actually use it. I cleaned it up a little more with some soapy water and a toothbrush, but I was careful. Rinsed it and dryed it good.

Imperial Shaving (straightrazordesigns.com) is only about a half hour drive north of me, so I was thinking about taking it up there and getting some more information from them. I know that they offer honing services. Thanks for the honing offer though. I'll keep you in mind.

Ben