I was wondering if the US had an equivalent of Solingen or Sheffield? I'd like to put together a few straights from some of the major razor producing areas but I don't know if the US has one or where it is.
Does the US have an equivalent to Solingen or Sheffield?
- Thread starter johnmrson
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If I had to name such a region I'd say Little Valley, New York.
Worcester Razor and J.R. Torrey are both from Worcester Mass and both made great shavers. Other than that most of the blades I have seen from other parts of the US all had the Made In Germany stamp on them.
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
I love Torreys, and they can be found cheap on the Bay. I recently got a nice one for $10. They are probably the best bargain in good vintage razors you can find. Great shave. It is a name to watch for.
For some reason the Torreys I've been watching have been going for about $20 (probably still cheap for good steel). For about that same price though, I've picked up a Wade & Butcher, Wostenholm, and Boker. Now, no more purchases until I can get these restored and start on my straight shaving journey.
Also, didn't Case make a good razor here in the states, or was it using German steel?
There were makers scattered around the country but yes Little Valley N.Y was the hub of American Cutlery making in the late 1800s.
WR Case & Sons, Bradford PA used US steel, US made. Case is still in business. You can find them reasonably priced... keep an eye peeled on the BST as well, I just recently sold one. 
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Good to know...as a Newb str8 user, I'm going to want something made in the USA!
I like Shumates, made in St. Louis, Missouri, i believe. They are fairly easy to get ahold of and make nice shavers, imo.
I haven't noticed a difference in US steel razors... and it seems most of the razors with US city's marked on them were just ground there, and more often than not used Solingen steel. I'm sure there are a few makers who were an exception to this rule, but back in the day when US razor makers flourished, Solingen steel had a reputation, so better or not, they sold more razors by importing it for their razors than using the local steel.
maybbe the closest thig you get these days is MI cause of tim and hart steel
maybe i should move
maybe i should move
Slash McCoy
I freehand dog rockets
Case is indeed an American company, and made razors here in America. BUT... I might be wrong but I think they bought the Red Imp brand from Ludo in the 1920's or thereabouts, and continued to make the Red Imp in the German factory. Someone correct me if I am wrong. But all other Case razors were made in America.
Also perhaps Connecticut?
Shanghai is ths Solignen of the Far East.....
Shanghai is ths Solignen of the Far East.....
They also had some made in Austin, Texas... But there's a member here who has almost all of those
Wr case, were they anything to do with geneva cutlery, seeing as they're both based in bradford pa and churned out a lot of razors, not to mention they both have identical razors.
My guess is they were either based in the same factory or did work for each other.
My guess is they were either based in the same factory or did work for each other.
