Tang-less straight?

[BakerAndBadger]

Hi,
I'm looking at buying a straight I've noticed on an auction site however it seems from the picture that there is no tang.
The blade looks to be a wedge and so I was wondering if it's possible that due to the age of the blade there isn't a tang as I know that older razors have smaller tangs.
Anyone got any experience with this type of thing?

Thanks,

Paul

 

[jcborr00]

Probably French pre-1800. Here is a pic of the one I own. Not a joy to shave with. Maker is unknown but all characteristics point it to mid to late 1700's.(Scales are not original)

I bought it when I had the 1700's bug. It's a great part of my collection but is not in my rotation.


My advice is to go for it if the price is good and get a pro to hone it. Try it and if you do not like it I'm sure you will be able to resell it.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Thanks Joe. It is indeed French as you suggest - the maker's name is in the ad. At the moment its up for 10 bucks so I might have a pop - worst case scenario I flip it.
Don't think it's quite as old as yours - it has a fairly classic shaped blade but still think it must be late 1700's or first part of 1800's after having seen the article on theinvisibleedge.

 

[johnmrson]

The French made razors without tails up until the late 1800's. It was a style of razor the French seemed to like.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

OK so it might not be as old as originally thought.
In any case the two other razors that are being sold with it don't look too hot so I think I'll pass on this one.

Thanks for the info guys, at least I now know that the French don't like tangs - must be garlic or onion related!!! (By the way, I work for a French company so know what I'm talking about.)

 

[jcborr00]

I would research the maker to see exactly what time the razor was made.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

Had a butchers on google but no joy. Will try again later when I have some time

 

[jcborr00]

Had a butchers on google but no joy. Will try again later when I have some time

Any Luck?

 

[BakerAndBadger]

No, if anyone is interested the blade is stamped

Abadie à Luchon

Apparently Luchon seems to be the town (near the Pyrenees) and Abadie the maker/seller's name.

You do a search and you'll find the actual sale on the bay

 

[life2short1971]

I just saw another with a half tang at best and covered to last night looking on eBay I think it was a Clauss or similar. I was surprised because it looked like it was from the early 1900's or so. It had Barbers something stamped on it.