Need informations about this straight

**Maxime D.** · 08-29-2012, 04:00 PM

Hello guy, I scored this razors while roaming around in Montréal. I don't have any knowledge about straight, your help will be very appreciated. It was in a box but I think it isnt the original.

Frederick Reynolds - Sheffiedl England

**Mike H** · 08-30-2012, 06:42 PM

Frederick Reynolds is a well respected razor maker, I have two of them. I have not seen one with the flower before. Your razor looks to have a bit of hone wear, but it should be OK. Production ran from before 1860 to the mid 1940s. I would guess yours to be around 1920's or later.

**FlyingMonkey** · 08-31-2012, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by Mike H

Frederick Reynolds is a well respected razor maker, I have two of them. I have not seen one with the flower before. Your razor looks to have a bit of hone wear, but it should be OK. Production ran from before 1860 to the mid 1940s. I would guess yours to be around 1920's or later.

How can you tell when it was made? I've seen a number of posts from various people that detail information like this and would love to learn more about the history behind the razors. Any suggestions about where to start? (Other than the ShaveWikis, which are my typical "go to" resources)?

**Mike H** · 08-31-2012, 07:36 AM

I have a small bucket with little pieces of paper. On each piece of paper a year is listed. I reach in the bucket and pull out a piece of paper. Thats it.

OK, I am not an expert, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express, that date was really just a best guess based on the following.

Production date while the business was in operation is the first clue to track down.

If a razor list the County of Origin then you can assume the razor was made after the McKinley Tariff of 1890.

The tail of razors can also give you a clue...

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Sometimes the tang stamp can help

Other factors like overall shape, scale material and makers marks can narrow it down as well.

From Uniclectica
FREDERICK REYNOLDS
Diamond Steel Razor, Manufactured by, Frederick Reynolds Sheffield , Tempered by patent process
In business in 1892 Reynolds Frederick, razor manufacturer, 27 School croft Sheffield

The FR posted above has some nice jimping on the bottom of the tang, and the overall look reminds me of early 1900's - 1930's razor. So I averaged it out to guess about 1920's.

Hopefully, one of the experts can chime in and tell me how far off I am.

**FlyingMonkey** · 08-31-2012, 10:56 PM

Awesome! Thanks! Your methodology was what interested me the most. Now I'll see if I can replicate it next time I'm looking at a razor!

**Wullie** · 09-02-2012, 06:41 PM

Even with the wear, it should be a good shaver. I have two older FR's that shave wonderfully.

Another giveaway to the date is the "ENGLAND" after Sheffield.

Due to the McKinley Tarriff Act of 1890, one part of the act stated that goods imported to the US were required to have a country of origin marked on them.

So, using that information your razor should post date 1891-1892. The scales are also of a type that was in vogue in the early part of the 20th Century.

The flower is a mystery to me also.

Here's a tang stamp from a much earlier Reynolds.