Thread: Inheritance...Help Please

This is my first post here, and I desperately need help from those that have far much more experience than I.

Recently I decided it would be a worth while skill to learn the art of straight razor shaving, and in response my grandfather provided me with a bag of stuff (quite literally, I received the following in a gray plastic bag):

(Attachments below)

Razor 1. Larger Cream Handled Razor. The Blade itself says "INOSSIDABLE" and beneath that (in all caps as well) "acciajo speciale nissimo" (?). I have some trouble telling, but I think that it may be Italian(?) On the shank of the razor there is the number 12 and the word "Solingen". I have been able to find that "acciaio inossidabile" is italian for "stainless steel", but the spelling on the razor is most definitely a-c-c-i-a-j-o" as opposed to "a-c-c-i-a-i-o".

Razor 2. Much Smaller Cream Handled Razor. The razor has a chip at the front of the blade which, obviously, is a bad thing. The handle has detailing of a crane eating a fish. One side of the shank says "Wyeth's Warranted Cutlery", the other side of the shank says "H.B & Co." with "Germany" beneath that.

Razor 3. Smallest of the 3 razors (red handle). The razor seems to be in the best shape of the three. The handle seems to be a faux wood. The shank says "S.D. Shaw B.S. Co." The reverse side of the shank reads "wichita kas." (obviously for Wichita, KS), but strangely beneath that reads "Germany".

I grouped all of the razors with my Zippo for scale.

I also received a sharpening stone (Ka-Bar brand, also the case for the stone has 1358), but am uncertain if it is appropriate for use with straight razors.

Lastly I received a strop (one side is labeled "Honing" and the other "Finish". I am honestly uncertain if the strop can/should be used, or if I should just go get a new one. The strop is not in the worst shape, but obviously pretty old (much like the well worn, but still very soft, leather belts you might see at the Goodwill Store). The strop is labeled "Simmone Hardware Co. K80 EC Simmons Keen Kutter". Both sides feel like soft leather.

What I am wanting to know is if these razors would be worth using? Does anyone know the history of any of the companies that may have made these?

Also I am hoping for opinions on whether or not the sharpening stone and/or strop should be used.

Thanks for any all feedback.

Welcome srp.
1 st blade has been used . could be fixed but i am not sure how effective it will be to shave .
last 2 is ok. 2 one one will have smile face
3 is fine .
you can make them usable.
stone is ok.
About their history sorry i don't have much knowledge about .
hope this helps.
gl

A family gift is a good thing.
Do give then a wipe with mineral oil, I see fingerprints...

The first may be a good shaver when honed on the
same hone that gave it the frown. Someone used it
a lot for a long time.

The second with a chipped blade needs to be made safe
but may prove to be a good shaver...

The "red" could be a good little shaver
and is perhaps the best one to send out
for honing if you want to.

Welcome to SRP. If I came into possession of those 3 razors I would have the red handled one with the bolsters honed up. It is nice and full bladed. The first one with the cream handles is too far gone IMO and not worth restoring as too much of the 'good' metal is gone IMO.

The second razor would be good but for that large chip. It could be shortened but to me it wouldn't be worth it unless it was something you could do yourself. Once it was done it wouldn't suit me but YMMV. The above is just my opinion and we know what opinions are worth. Others may have a different take on the razors. Here is the SRP beginner's guide for good info on getting started.

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Welcome srp.
1 st blade has been used . could be fixed but i am not sure how effective it will be to shave .
last 2 is ok. 2 one one will have smile face
3 is fine .
you can make them usable.
stone is ok.
About their history sorry i don't have much knowledge about .
hope this helps.
gl

+1 on all this. They can all be fixed but the red-handled one will definitely be the easiest.

Older Italian can have a J instead of an I, so your razor is Italian for "stainless steel" and just spelled with a J.

As for the Kansas/Germany razor, the razor was made in Germany and distributed (sharpened?) in the U.S. This was fairly common and you'll find various vintage razors marked Germany but distributed by U.S. hardware stores.

It's not much but I was able to find this site about historical Wichita:
Kiowa County Gold

Looks like around 1901 "S. D. Shaw put up a store selling everything from hardware and black powder to handkerchiefs." Hope that helps and keep us posted should you get any/all of those restored to use!