Latest eBay find: Famex bagpiper & info on Famex razors

[eljaydub]

My latest 10euro eBay find was a Famex Bagpiper blade. It reminds me of a bagpiping friend of mine (and this B&B post) so I thought I'd clean it up and gift it to him someday. I guess I won't be able to polish up the face of the blade with the image on it without destroying the image (correct me if I'm wrong) but I guess I can work on the other side and the spine (which has some rust and pitting). Unfortunately the ebay photos didnt show that the scales are warped and bent. They have a bit of a melted look. The blade fits back in them if bend them back to shape when you sheath the blade (one photo makes the blade looked warped, it's not though; it's straight and free of nicks). I doubt there's an effective way to fix or salvage the scales, or at least the logo, but if anyone has an idea let me know (unpin them, heat and press?)

Any one have any info on the Famex brand? There's no info on the wiki but it seems there was one in better shape on the BST forums recently

Not sure if it's going to be a 'user' or just a nice souvenir for a friend:

 

[wherndon]

send it to mycarver, Mark can make it look like new!

 

[pmaster]

I actually bid on a Famex yesterday as well (and lost)! Searched a bit online on some french forums and it seems like all razors out of Solingen, a great shaver.

 

[sffone]

Nice looking razor -- I had never before seen one. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Greybeard]

Famex is a brand name of Solingen manufacturer E. & F. Horster.
It was set up as an export brand after WW1. Primarily to France but also Italy, Spain and England.
The Famex brand also consisted of grooming kits, safety razors, razor blades and hair clippers.
The Famex brand is still used by Horster today under their Horstator division to sell electronic hair trimmers.
The bagpiper is a Famex brand (they also had several other brands).
They may not have always owned the bagpiper brand, though, since it has also shown up on a Paul Schafer razor. Paul Schafer appears to have gone out of business in the late 1920s.

 

[eljaydub]

send it to mycarver, Mark can make it look like new!

Judging by his website I can believe it! How he manages to save many of those etchings and engravings I really want to know. Truly outstanding work. I'd like to restore this one myself one day but it'll have to wait until I can clear up some space, time and funds.
Any idea what the cost to have a blade restored is? My guess would be around the $100 mark?

Famex is a brand name of Solingen manufacturer E. & F. Horster.
It was set up as an export brand after WW1. Primarily to France but also Italy, Spain and England.
The Famex brand also consisted of grooming kits, safety razors, razor blades and hair clippers.
The Famex brand is still used by Horster today under their Horstator division to sell electronic hair trimmers.
The bagpiper is a Famex brand (they also had several other brands).
They may not have always owned the bagpiper brand, though, since it has also shown up on a Paul Schafer razor. Paul Schafer appears to have gone out of business in the late 1920s.

Thanks for the info Greybeard. My guess on its age was perhaps 50 or 60 years old (but that's a completely uneducated guess), but it sounds like you're saying it may be several decades older than that?
Truly old or not, it's a nice piece to add to the collection!

 

[Proximus26]

eljaydub,

I own few Femex razors and one of them is exctly what you got, This are OUTSTANDING blades if not touched by rust. Just today I had shave with Famex and after to passes I stop, as there was really nothing more left of the beard. I shave with many razor, I won many razors and this one if really top of class. Just be very delicate when setting bevel. They do not like to much pressure for bevel setting. It is better to finish on higher grit.

Hope this will help.

 

[eljaydub]

I own few Femex razors and one of them is exctly what you got, This are OUTSTANDING blades if not touched by rust. Just today I had shave with Famex and after to passes I stop, as there was really nothing more left of the beard. I shave with many razor, I won many razors and this one if really top of class. Just be very delicate when setting bevel. They do not like to much pressure for bevel setting. It is better to finish on higher grit.

Thanks Proximus! I haven't tried it out yet but I excited to get it honed up and give it a try. Nice to know it's something I can look forward to! Thanks for the advice on the bevel setting; I'll be sure to take my time and not use too much pressure.