My father-in-law gave me this. It was either his father's or grandfather's. The blade is 2-1/4" by 3/8", overall length is six inches. It doesn't fold - the tang is pinned. The blade is marked The Real Pat Feb 10 1908 on one side and Geo Korn Razor Mfg Little Valley on the other side. What is it? It's the smallest straight I've seen and other than a Japanese kamisori the only non-folder I've seen. Maybe it's not even a razor?
What Do I Have
- Thread starter Koop
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It’s a Corn razor for shaving Corns on your feet.
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- #3
Seriously?
That's what I thought at first. Is it sharp? Google Geo. F Korn razor. It looks like you've got half of a "The Real" safety razor.
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- #5
It's in rough condition, but I'm contemplating an edge restoration.
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- #6
Ahh...I see, it appears to be missing the "safety comb."
I don't think it is a corn razor actually.
See here: 1900's Geo W. Korn Razor The Real Safety Razor - https://www.razoremporium.net/products/1900s-geo-w-korn-razor-the-real-safety-razor
See here: 1900's Geo W. Korn Razor The Real Safety Razor - https://www.razoremporium.net/products/1900s-geo-w-korn-razor-the-real-safety-razor
@Darth Scandalous nailed it. On the other hand, it looks like a previous owner lost or discarded the comb but kept using the tool, either as a corn razor or for other razor/knife work.
One sold on ebay a few months ago. Can't find the listing but as I recall it was basically pristine and about 5/8.
Looks like @Whisky figured it out in post #4.
I've seen a few types of these things. Never had one.
Using the guard on a Weck didn't go well for me, I'm assuming these are similar like that. But cool looking.
The OPs seems to have been honed a lot, so probably the original owner really liked it.
I've seen a few types of these things. Never had one.
Using the guard on a Weck didn't go well for me, I'm assuming these are similar like that. But cool looking.
The OPs seems to have been honed a lot, so probably the original owner really liked it.
I’m just guessing here folks. All I know about straight razors is you rub them on rocks (sometimes convex rocks 
) to make them sharp. 
) to make them sharp. 
From some other examples I’ve seen in the past, they were intended to be a corn razor, but a safety version. At the time of manufacture safety razors were the new thing, and the guard was added to make it feel like it was less likely to cut yourself as you shaved off the skin. Same principle as a shaving safety razor. There were of course “safety” folding straight razors with guards as well.
At least, that’s how I’ve seen it described in the past. Maybe you can look up the patent? Dunno.
Having said that, Geo W Korn did make regular straights as well, so… maybe this was them dipping their toe into safety shaving. But odd choice of handle if so. We need some advertising or ephemera.
Thinking about it, the main reason a straight has folding scales is to protect the edge when not in use. Maybe the manufacturer thought it was unnecessary on a razor with a guard in place. ?
It was definitely a straight razor not a corn razor. It was made by George W. Korn Mfg. Co.
"The Real" would show through a window in the folding guard. The same razor came in a folding model and the scales were spaced extra wide to allow the guard. Both models are excellent razors and give a great shave.
"The Real" would show through a window in the folding guard. The same razor came in a folding model and the scales were spaced extra wide to allow the guard. Both models are excellent razors and give a great shave.
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