I recently came across this beautiful razor made by WR Case & Sons. They're still in business, with a website and everything:
http://www.wrcase.com/
It's not very often you can read the entire history of a razor maker on their own website! (Well okay, they're a knife maker now. But still.)
(Excuse the crummy photos. It's much more handsome in real life.) Tang is covered in mother of pearl. But it's the shape of the blade -- especially the spine -- that's particularly nice.
The scales are pretty awful, with a crude glue repair in the middle. But with the right set of scales, this could be a real beauty. I honed it today and it took a wonderful edge. Too bad I've already shaved twice today, as I'm anxious to try it out! I think this one's a keeper.
http://www.wrcase.com/
It's not very often you can read the entire history of a razor maker on their own website! (Well okay, they're a knife maker now. But still.)
(Excuse the crummy photos. It's much more handsome in real life.) Tang is covered in mother of pearl. But it's the shape of the blade -- especially the spine -- that's particularly nice.
The scales are pretty awful, with a crude glue repair in the middle. But with the right set of scales, this could be a real beauty. I honed it today and it took a wonderful edge. Too bad I've already shaved twice today, as I'm anxious to try it out! I think this one's a keeper.
It is very nice to find that not all great razors have their roots in Europe only. I also agree that is nice to be able to find out about the history of a given straight razor. I have had a difficult time finding any information about several of my straights that are really very good. 
