Straight Razor Chronicle - Volume 2 - Jno Baker (Australia)

This is the second volume of the straight razor chronicles. If you missed the first one, you can consult it here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/210957-Straight-Razor-Chronicle-Volume-1

This article took over a month of research and compilation, I hope you enjoy it!

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The story that we have today is related to a man named William Jno Baker. William John Baker (father) started the company, William Jack Baker (Son) then continued to run the company after his Father's death. The company is still active today but is not producing or selling any shaving related items anymore (http://www.jnobaker.com.au/). William Jno Baker was a cutler for a place named “House of Steel” located at 3 Hunter Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Both father and son had the nickname, Jno.


The history of the family goes as follow:


Here’s an extract of the The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper published on 14th December 1899 (http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/14246067)

W. JNO. BAKER, HUNTER-STREET.

There is not much doubt but that Mr. W. Jno Baker is master cutler in New South Wales, whoever may be so in Sheffield. His establishment in Hunter street has for many years been famous for skilled workmanship and high-class stocks, and at this Christmastide the establishment is more to the front than ever. Elaborate designs in knives decorate the window, among which are noticeable a Jubilee crown, with stars, and the good wishes of the season ; also in pearl-handle and other hand- some knives. From the varied stocks within, larger than over this year, many a valuable and useful Christmas and New Year's present may be chosen. There are handsome dressing cases for both ladies and gentlemen-a new departure, for Mr. Baker has not hitherto stocked these- and there are elegant manicure sets, just received ex R.M.S. Anstral, in the newest of the new designs. There are handsome and ever- useful cases of assorted scissors, and a great variety of carvers, making one think of the lortly joints and fat turkeys of Christmas Day. A useful present can be selected from Mr. Baker's stock of razors in cases, a feature being a separate razor for each day in the week. Then there are safety razors, useful for very young men, or very old men, or travellers. And as to the pocket knives, Mr Baker's stock is immense. There are many new designs, including tobacco knives, which are marvels of utility. They have stoppers, match receptacles, cigar-cutters, and in fact everything a smoker requires. And one notices picnic knives, squatters' knives, farmers' and gardeners' knives, corkscrew knives ( eminently useful in Christmas camps), sporting knives, and in fact knives of every sort, from the modest sixpenny to one which would enable a man to dispense with everything in tho shape of tools. Ladies' cutlery cases are in great evidence, and are beautifully turned out, as indeed, everything is at Mr. Baker's hands, which is evidenced by the fact that he holds a gold medal and 36 first prizes from the Royal Agricultural and other shows. Mr. Baker sends out tastefully printed price sheets with excellent illustrations of his principal manufactures, and these are extremely useful to such of his clients in tho country who unfortunately cannot personalty visit his establishment.

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Some might not receive their knives this month...

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) - Tuesday 13 December 1904 - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/art...illiam john baker&searchLimits=#pstart1330327

METROPOLITAN QUARTER.

SESSIONS.

(Before Judge Murray and a jury.) . Mr. H. Harris, Crown Prosecutor. A CASE BREAKS DOWN.

Union Shadi and Naser Abdullah pleaded not guilty to a charge of having at Sydney on December 3, 1903, stolen one case containing 830 knives, 18 forks, and various other articles, the property of William John Baker. There was a second count of receiving. Mr. W. P. Crick appeared for the accused.

The Crown Prosecutor in opening the case said there was no direct evidence of theft. A case arrived at Dalgety's Wharf in November, 1903, from London, addressed to Mr. Baker, and was supposed to contain the cutlery alleged to have been stolen.

Mr. Crick contended that there could be no case, because the Crown had admitted that they had no evidence to show what the case addressed to Baker, and lauded at Dalgety's wharf, contained. He thought his Honor should direct the jury to acquit the accused.

His Honor upheld the point and ordered the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. The accused were discharged.

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More on William John Baker (Father)...

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) (about) - Tuesday 29 July 1930 - Death notice - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16663228

BAKER. -July 27, 1930. at his residence. Redlynn Abbey, Annandale-street, Darling Point, William John Baker, husband of Lucy Eliza Baker, aged 73 years.

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The Service...

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) - Friday 1 August 1930 - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/art...William jno baker&searchLimits=#pstart1348333

MR. W. J. BAKER. SENR.

Mr. William Jno. Baker senior, who died at his residence, Redlyn Abbey. Darling Point was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Baker of Auckland and was educated at the Auckland Grammar School. He came to Sydney when a young man, and joined the staff of Lassetter's. In 1888, after a visit to England, he commenced business on his own account as a cutler, on the present site In Hunter-street, and remained actively associated with the management until ten weeks ago. He is survived by Mrs. Baker, who is a daughter of the late Mr John Pottie, a veterinary surgeon of Sydney. There are three sons. Mr William John Baker, Mr. Logan Tangye Baker, and Mr Struan Ruskin Baker, and one daughter Miss Oenone Marjorie Baker. Four brothers survived, Messrs. Norman, Herbert, Edwin and Charles Baker, and two sisters Mrs. T. Baylan and Mrs. T Allright.

The funeral took place on Tuesday in the Church of England section of the Waverley Cemetery following a service at St. Mark's Church, Darling Point. The Rev. F. Perkins officiated at the church and at the graveside.

The chief mourners were: -Messrs W. J. Baker, L. T. Baker and S. R. Baker (sons), S. C. Pottie and A. Howell (brothers-In-law), Bruce, Jack, and Norman Pottie (nephews).

Mr. J. A. Paynter, manager, and the entire male staff of the business of the late Mr. Baker were present. Others present included; -Rev. A. G. Rix, Dr. M. J. Plomley Commander H. L. Quick (representing officers and men of the Navel Depot, Edgecliff). Captain F. H. C. Brownlow, R.A.N. (re- tired), and Messrs. G. V. Oldham (Union Bank, Sydney). F. H. Wroe (Phipson and Co., Ltd.), Grahame Sands (John Sands, Ltd.), Roderick Sinclair (representing Mr. Russell Sinclair), Albert A. Kemp (the Australian Drug Co., Ltd.) G. A. Raves (Messrs. George A. Raves and Poole), J. S. Stening (Fairfax and Roberts, Ltd.), F. J. Barker, A. S. Iliff, A. McCrae, B. Little, C. C. Nielson, H. Hibble, J. W. Taylor. G. H. Parker, F. S. Hall, C. A. Hall, G. V. Scammell, and S. Allen, Drs G. W. Sinclair and C. W. Sinclair, and Miss C. A. Wade.

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The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Wednesday 22 October 1930 - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16724524?searchTerm=william john baker&searchLimits=

LATE MR. W. J. BAKER.

Probate has been granted of the will of William John Baker, of the well-known cutlery firm, of Hunter-street, Sydney, who left an estate valued at £59,123. Testator, who died on July 27, at the age of 73 years, appointed his widow, Lucy Eliza Baker, and George Alfred Raves, solicitor, of Sydney, his executors and trustees. The estate was left for the benefit of the testator's widow, children, and grandchildren. He directed that his trustees should carry on the firm of W. Jno. Baker, and expressed the desire that in doing so no war weapons should be dealt in, repaired, or sharpened. One clause of the will contained an exhortation to his children, commanding them to love, cherish, and protect their mother In all circumstances, and live in unity and peace with one another.

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The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1954) (about) - Wednesday 22 October 1930 - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/art...william john baker&searchLimits=#pstart646886

PROVISION IN WILL

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Against War Weapons

SYDNEY, Tuesday.

A curious provision in the will of William John Baker, a well known Sydney business man, who died on July 27 last, aged 78 is a direction to the trustees directing that the firm of W. J. Baker may be carried on, but no weapon of war should be dealt in or sold or sharpened.

The testator left £59,123 to his widow, children, and grandchilden.

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Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954) - Wednesday 5 August 1931 - http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/art...illiam john baker&searchLimits=#pstart3445046

ANTI-MILITARIST'S WILL

SYDNEY CUTLER'S REQUESTS

Melbourne. Wednesday.

William John Baker, of Sydney a well-known cutler, who died in July last year, expressly desired that no military weapons or weapons of war should be dealt in, sold, repaired, or sharpened in connection with his business. He added: "I make this direction in order to continue my protest against all war." The New South Wales portion of the estate is valued at £16,000, and personal property in Victoria at £4124.

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http://www.ryersonindex.org/ - That website give me the death notice for William Jno(Jack) Baker (son) but not the article unfortunately...

Name: BAKER, William Jno
Type: Death notice
Date: 30JUL1961
Other information: late of Roseville
Newspaper: Sydney Morning Herald
Publication date: 01AUG1961

I can't trace the article online unfortunately...

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The company was founded in 1888 by William John Baker (father) and was the biggest mail order knives firm in Australia. It is suspected that most straight razors where made by Thomas Riley Cadman (T.R. Cadman, the Bengall manufacturer).

Thanks to Baldy for the picture. This one seems to be an exact match of the logo and writing from the 1939 catalog.




Thanks to Legion for the pictures. According to the catalogs below, this straight razor was probably made around 1939 as the logo on the shank compared to the Bengall in the last picture is very similar.





This one is mine... According to the catalog below, the above straight razor, judging by the logo on the shank, would be between 1924-1939 at the very least.

1924
The sign of good cutlery at the house of steel [electronic resource] : catalogue, August,1924 / W.Jno. Baker (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/5087435)
The House of Steel was offering a few Safety Razors such as this Bostonian, notice that Jno Baker had his logo and name stamped inside the box.

They were also sellers of Gillette blades and their own brand of blades made in England

A Safety Razor starter kit including razor, blades, shaving stick and a shaving brush

A few shaving brushes with the possibility of having your name engraved

Stropping instructions in the catalog.

A few straight razors available from the catalog




They were also offering Straight Razor Starter Kits such as this one

The House of Steel was also producing their own strops

They also had a stropping machine made by Wilkinson's which I've never seen before



1939
From W.Jno. Baker's cutlery catalogue, May 1939
They were still offering DE Razors 15 years later.

More shaving brushes and hones (box also stamped with Jno Baker name/logo).

A few straights, Jno Baker was selling his own brand but also Bengall, Blue Wonder and Kropp. They were still making strops too.



You can now see a few items for sale on eBay such as those scissors (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VINTAGE-PINKING-SHEARS-W-JNO-BAKER-SYDNEY-GC-/130520122430)


The House of Steel was publishing a few advertisements on a regular basis in the local newspaper such as this one. (http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15323646#pstart1293644)



Other References:
http://www.auspostalhistory.com/articles/1932.shtml

Excellent job Luc. It's fantastic to get some history behind a razor.

Well researched Luc. Nice to see the range of stuff they carried.

That looks great Luc. I know how much work you put into it, and I found it all very interesting. I really love those old catalogues as well.

Great research mate. VERY interesting, thanks.
Grant

That patent Wilkinson stropping machine looks very similar to something in the 1915 Wiss catalog pg 71 on this thread ... http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/241997-Wiss-Razor-s-1907-amp-1915-Catalogs

Wow Luc, you're not here to mess around are you? Interesting article, thank you.
That double action stropping machine makes me nervous looking at it. It seems like a bloody mess waiting to happen. At least in my hands.

Got a PM from Marcus (mdunn) today. Very interesting picture that he found. I missed it...

View showing pedestrians and horse drawn carriages. Second building at R has names Huenerb, -- - Baker, G J Wells & *Cutler*
above awning (1 & 3 Hunter St). Scanned from coloured postcards provided by J.W. Gibson in July 2010.
DATE
c 1900

Digital image only. Hi-Res digital copy available.
RECORDSERIES
Sydney Reference Collection
CITATION
SRC20097
PROVENANCE
City of Sydney Archives

Look for the second building on the right... (direct URL: http://photosau.com.au/coslib/jpeg/065/065179.jpg)

I also found some jno baker branded dovo scissors at my brothers house

mdunn said:

I also found some jno baker branded dovo scissors at my brothers house

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Pictures or it never happened! You know the rules mate!

I tried to get a picture off Google Street view to show the same view that Marcus found in the archives of Hunter Street... The place changed a bit...

Once again awsome work m8, some very interesting reading, thanks

Bump old post, looking at a Juno special for sale great info

I picked two up in an antique store a couple of years ago. I’ve not seen two in a case before.

Very interesting

Old thread, but I recently purchased a 'Blue Wonder' razor stamped with the W.JNO.BAKER trademark.
It cleaned up nicely with a quick polish:

This is the second Blue Wonder that I have picked up, but the first one did not come from Baker. It is almost identical:

bernie01 said:

View attachment 1446195View attachment 1446196

Old thread, but I recently purchased a 'Blue Wonder' razor stamped with the W.JNO.BAKER trademark.
It cleaned up nicely with a quick polish:

This is the second Blue Wonder that I have picked up, but the first one did not come from Baker. It is almost identical:

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You see a few of those Blue Wonders in Australia, but that’s the first Jno one I’ve seen.

My late father picked up this set many, many years ago...I remember him having it but not using it when I was a small child.
It is in my queue to restore...

A lovely set indeed Derwent. Further to me earlier post I attach photos of my set showing the comparative length of blades, the engraving on each blade and the box.

How timely to see! I just picked up a two razor set myself!