My Uncle Kermit's Shaving Kit

[temjeito]

My dad just got back from a trip to visit our family in West Virigina, and he brought back with him my late great uncle Kermit's shaving kit. All I have is these pics, but I should have hands on this stuff in a few weeks. The razor and mug at least supposedly belonged to Kermit's father, who was of shaving age in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

My dad says there may be some engraving on the tang, but if there is he can't read it. Maybe under a loupe, or after some rust removal. Can't tell from the pics if its salvageable as a shaver, but even if it's not it is a great piece of family history.

Can anyone identify the coat of arms on the mug? As I said, it supposedly dates back to the turn of the last century, and there is a stamp on the bottom that may say "Made in Germany".

Also, can anyone tell from the pics what kind of brush that is, and whether it appears to be in good condition? I've never done a brush restore, but this one looks like it might be in decent shape -- even the bristles don't look terrible. Don't know the age of it--could be much newer than the razor and mug.

Anyway, I'm super psyched and wanted to share my new heirloom acquisition. I'll post more pictures and info when I get my hands on them.

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[aihpcfl]

That brush is interesting.

 

[oakeshott]

Brushes from that period were normally horsehair and that's what that one appears to be. I'll bet that razor can be salvaged and made to shave with.

 

[KW Driver]

you can clean that blade sure enough. I've got a big 'ol chopper that I'm currently cleaning up that started off worse than that.

Gamma hung a set of pics in the restoration section showing a cleaning progression with CLR, that did a fantastic job. wished I'd seen it before I took to mine with sanding discs, flap wheels and sandpaper. would have been a whole lot easier.

 

[5bassman]

Yep, I like the brush, very neat!

 

[77TransAm]

Wow, I've never seen a brush like that. That'd be interesting to lather up with.

 

[Mike H]

I really enjoy seeing heirloom swag. The razor looks like it would clean up nice if you wanted to do that. IMO, the brush looks like boar and the unusual swirl is the result of being stored for years in the cup bristles down. It was common to load soap and create lather right in the cup, after the shave, the brush was put back in the cup, bristles down till the next day. Sometimes, the bristles can be washed and straighten and let dry in a straight position and will stay that way. Not always, but sometimes. Congratulations!

 

[Amzimbo]

FCB - Futebol Club de Barcelona?

 

[temjeito]

FCB - Futebol Club de Barcelona?

Shave_Rat figured it out. It's the crest of the Knights of Pythias, whose motto is "Friendship, Charity, Benevolence".