Thread: My Grandfather's razor

Just found this site tonight looking for info on my Norwegian/American Grandfather's razor that was handed down to me. I've put 4 pics up, or have tried-not sure I did it right. It's a H B & CO., marked Hackett, Walther Gates Hdwe Co. and has seen plenty of use. Any more info would be appreciated. My people lived in rural Wisconsin, USA, at the Norwegian immigrant settlement at Horse Creek, near the town of Star Prairie,WI, today a half hour drive by car from St. Paul,Minnesota but back then a couple hours in a Model T I'd guess or more. I understand that the Hackett/Walter/Gates Hdwe was in St. Paul from 1902-12, but this blade doesn't have the St. Paul address of course. My Grandfather Paulson lived from 1878 until 1934, was too poor to own a tractor and until he died plowed with an ox.

That is a H. Boker razor. The tip will need to be reground and shortened, and it looks like the scales are broken at the wedge. Celluloid scales can be repaired, to some degree, and I would think you would want to try to keep them original being an heirloom.

Are you planning on restoring and using it?

Welcome to SRP. That razor was made by Heinrich Boker Co from Germany. They are still in business AFAIK and their vintage razors are as good as any and better than most. When I was a kid we used to hear about "Tree knives" and that was the Bokers. Anyway, that one could be rescaled (handles) and shortened to put it back in service if you wanted to send it out...... or if you are skilled and have the tools. Check out member services in the SRP classifieds for guys who do that sort of thing.

Are you planning on restoring and using it?[/QUOTE]

No, I won't be using it myself, though when I look at it or hold it in my hand I have a somewhat haunting feeling of being able ever so slightly to see and touch the man I never knew, who long ago owned and used it, and whom I owe in part my own existence. Such a razor though, even if one doesn't know who first owned it, has I think a simple beauty to it with all the workmanship involved, blade, stamping, celluloid handles, etc., on something even this relatively once so commonplace. So many items made in the past have these qualities, now usually lost in more cheaply made, mass produced objects.