Cool etched (possibly Rotbart) razor

[Jake]

Here's a traveler set that isn't labeled, but I think it may be a Rotbart produced model. At least it looks like it may have been produced by their factory & then provided for a promotion or special sale. I've seen razors with etchings on the heads, but never one quite like this. Without any plating wear, just a little hard to remove tarnish on this (probably) nickel plated 3-piece razor.

I thought it was pretty cool. Any other etchings you'd like to share with your fellows -- please post here. Monogramming as well.

Nice glove leather case -- that's actually much cleaner than it looks. And the blades are Rotbart.

Not sure the weight, but it is a solid metal handle. Pretty hefty feel.

Symmetrical design, but wonder what they were thinking when they designed it.

 

[mblakele]

Nice piece. Maybe that is a hunting motif: wild boar tusks and foliage?

 

[Jake]

Ahh... Good catch. A set to take hunting or to celebrate the hunt!

 

[alex2363]

Nice piece. Maybe that is a hunting motif: wild boar tusks and foliage?

I see a horned animal charging a person, maybe bullfighter?

Arrows = horns and circle = the man

 

[chiefmate]

The case looks like elephant hide which makes the design on the razor tusks and thorn bushes. African /safari /travel razor??

 

[the beav]

It could have been a one-off custom job--possibly by the owner himself.

 

[Haiku]

How does it shave?

 

[huck1680]

Pretty cool Jake

 

[Jake]

It's shave is between a Rotbart & an Apollo. Not surprised by that. Cool idea about the elephant hide & safari set, but the leather is not thick enough to be Elephant hide. Maybe antelope...

 

[Haiku]

It's shave is between a Rotbart & an Apollo. Not surprised by that. Cool idea about the elephant hide & safari set, but the leather is not thick enough to be Elephant hide. Maybe antelope...

I suspect that you're looking at something really rather abstract not representational, in other words at least one step away from the real meaning. These shapes look like horns and leaves on a branch. Horns are symbols of all sorts of things, at times angels or divine messangers, trees and branches can be part of religous iconography- it's a standard thing for example to depict the heraldry of Jesus in the shape of a tree with the root being David. I've seen horns and floral patterns in African art including on masks which have to do with ideas of welcome, including welcoming guests as if they were royalty. And so you've got a project to find out the meaning of the symbols. Is Dan Brown a wetshaver? Maybe he can help.

 

[Dr Roadrash]

Jake,
I have one with a similar handle. Thought it might be french LeCoq maybe but it did come with a blade set that was made in Germany so maybe you are correct. Here are a few pics, this one has a plain head though.


Aaron

 

[Haiku]

I believe it was made by Robert Klaas, Solingen Germany. I have a notion that some of their straight razors were marked Prussia.

 

[tomjr]

very nice razors u have there gents. tom

 

[joshua1970]

very nice razors u have there gents. tom

+1 love these so much character!

 

[Haiku]

Information I picked up from the web. Registered FEbruary 20 1869. Solingen-Ohligs, Pfeilstrasse 37

They are still in business with a website and everything.

http://www.robert-klaas.de/






=1]Klaas, Robert[/h]

Logo
Name	Klaas, Robert
Location	Prussia; Germany
Dates of Operation	1837 - present
External Links
Owners	Robert Klaas
Uploads

The factory history has begun in 1837 with opening of a small workshop by Peter Deniel Pauls on manufacture of penknives. By 1850 its business has grown and made quite good profit, basically because of export of finished goods to the USA.
In 1857 Fridrih Robert Klaas married Dzhulian Henriette Pauls, the daughter of the founder of factory of Peter Pauls. After Peter Daniel Pauls's death the factory and all condition have passed to his daughter Dzhulian and the son-in-law, Fridrih Robert Klaas. On February, 20th, 1869 the company has been brought in the commercial register under a name of the present owner – Fridrih Robert Klaas. Manufacture quickly grew, and the factory has been expanded. In 1893 the trade mark has been registered: «Two storks».
In 1897 Robert Klaas has submitted the case sons. Their two them, Uolter and Ernest were responsible for sales of products in Germany. The third son, Max, has emigrated to the USA in 1889, where operated export trade.

 

[Jake]

Excellent information & certainly not a Rotbart razor. Although perhaps they had some cross pollination of ideas & designs. But a great history -- now come alive. Thanks!

 

[oakeshott]

I have the exact same head on a razor recently acquired. Will post pics when i return from my travels.

edit: took a quick look at it this morning and the handle is quite different from the others, but etching on head and same or similar plating.

 

[Ron Gallant]

Well it's not a one-off but certainly isn't common. Thanks for helping me identify it.

View attachment 358527

 

[Gary H]

What a great coinkydink two of the same uncommon razors posted on the same day. Great find.

 

[Lamboy]

That is awesome