Challenge Razor Works

[venkyle]

On a whim I purchased a new Challenge Razor Works "Original Rifle Razor".

Thus far the little i've read on the company says it went under in the 1890s. Unfortunately, the seller knew nothing of it other than finding it his grandpa's attique nor had any experience with them.
Does anyone know anything about this company or has had one themselves in the past?

Thanks

 

[smalltank]

CHALLENGE RAZOR WORKS
Bridgeport, Connecticut
ca. 1891-1898

the writing on the scales could be for the Winchester straight razors...correct me if im wrong though...

 

[ricardo9505]

here's what I found online:

Name Wiebusch & Hilger LTD. Location Sheffield Dates of Operation 1876 - (1919) External Links Owners Frederick Wiebusch Uploads Benjamin J.Eyre purchase W.Greavers & Son in 1850. In 1876, "B.J.Eyre &Co LATE W.Greaves & Son" was sold to Frederick Wiebusch. B.J.Eyre & Co - a trademark used by Frederick Wiebusch.

 

[venkyle]

Hey guys I greatly appreciate the info.

Anyone own one or know someone who does?

 

[wherndon]

I like rifles, and I like razors, so good score in my book

 

[venkyle]

Agreed. Shame they only produce a few years worth

 

[tomjr]

i have several of the USA models. they are fantastic shavers properly honed.

 

[LegionPrime]

Damn you! I was watching that razor till it got too rich for my budget!
I have another Challenge razor I just got that is on it's way back from a bevel reset and honing by Doc. It should be on the first page here, I'll be updating it once I get it back from Doc.

 

[venkyle]

Legion, I'm glad to have beaten you in this case. I normally avoid eBay but have rolled the dice on two in the last couple days. Gonna send out to be honed and I'll do the cleaning myself.

 

[LegionPrime]

Very cool, glad to hear it. Mine's on it's way back from Doc. I am thinking I may try my hand at dremel polishing with it. There's no engraving on the blade so I won't have to worrying about messing it up. Let us know how yours shaves

 

[Wullie]

Challenge lasted longer than 1898. That was when they changed their name to Challenge Cutlery Corp. THey lasted until 1928 before they shut their doors. "The Original Rifle Razor" was one of theirs. The scales are correct.

The steel in those things is awesome. They're hard steel.

I've been gathering Challenge pocket knives for a lot of years and have a couple of razors as well. I carry a Challenge Cutlery Corp pocket knife every day. It snaps as strongly as it did the day it was made.

My pet Challenge razor is a NOS Challenge Razor Works that I'll never sharpen nor use.

You've got a great razor with an interesting history.
ENJOY!

 

[venkyle]

Legion, let me know how the dremel works. I want to keep the engraving as long as possible. I won't lie its the main reason I was drawn to it in the first place.

Wullie, glad to hear. I took a chance on the razor as I wasn't familiar with the name. However glad it worked out well. They're nicely engraved from what I've seen so I'm pretty happy thus far.

 

[tomjr]

hare is some of mine. in Ivory, a 7 day set minus one. posted a few more pic's below of "CHALLENGE RAZOR's from my stash. hope u enjoy. i can remember one more but could not locate it, yet. i will keep looking though. tom

 

[Wullie]

WOW!

BEAUTIFUL!

That set is a rarity. VERY NICE!!!

 

[venkyle]

Agreed.

Here I was happy with my one razor until you show off those... lol

WOW!

BEAUTIFUL!

That set is a rarity. VERY NICE!!!

 

[tomjr]

hare is some of mine. in Ivory, a 7 day set minus one. found a few more pic's of "CHALLENGE RAZOR's" from my stash. hope u enjoy. i can remember one more but could not locate it, yet. i will keep looking though. tom

posted 2 more pic's of my 'CHALLENGE' razors. tom

 

[Twelvefret]

I realize this is an old thread, just picked up a “rifle razor” and want to clean up while preserving the script on the blade.

 

[Dzaw]

The script looks to be stamped in rather than just etched - that means it should do well through some polishing with a fine metal polish. Flitz, Simichrome, or Mother’s mag polish seem to have similar performance from what I’ve read.

I wouldn’t risk a dremel for the area around the script, but a felt wheel on a dremel can really speed up the polishing of the rest of the steel.

 

[Twelvefret]

The script looks to be stamped in rather than just etched - that means it should do well through some polishing with a fine metal polish. Flitz, Simichrome, or Mother’s mag polish seem to have similar performance from what I’ve read.

I wouldn’t risk a dremel for the area around the script, but a felt wheel on a dremel can really speed up the polishing of the rest of the steel.

I’ve been looking for a excuse for a Dremel. Chromium oxide might be nice on polishing wheel.

 

[Dzaw]

Do have caution, always polish away from edges, not just the cutting edge, but anytime you're approaching an edge of steel, the wheel can catch and impart quite a lot of velocity to something as light as a razor.

Chromium Oxide could absoloutely be great! Diamond / CBD pastes, emulsions, and compounds also work wonderfully. A little goes a long way if you're using a Dremel, it flings all the excess all over anyhow!