Identifying great grandfather's straight

Hello,
Joined a month or two ago when I started shaving with a DE Safety. In the mean time, my paternal grandmother passed on to me the straight razor her father used to use.

Because of the sentimental value I will be holding onto this. In the future as time allows, I may try my hand at straight razor shaving, however would probably buy a different razor to learn on so as to not jack up this one. But WOW, love the idea of one day shaving with the same blade my great grandfather used.

So I know nothing about straights, but how does this look? Quality of the blade? Anyone k of anything about this brand or manufacturer? Thank you not only for filling me in on details about this razor, but also for helping me connect more knowledgeably to my family history!!!

Great looking razor and it looks like it was well taken care of! Someone here will probably answer your questions. I don't know anything about it. Looks like it should hone right up and be a good shaver.

Mike

Great razor, put some neatsfoot oil on the horn scales, and when you are ready, have it honed. I would not do anything else to the razor. It is in good shape.

I have seen the same razor, marked Cheever and Burchard Cutlery. Don't know, but would guess Semple and Valle came after Cheever.

I found this...
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-e...-or-the-inside-life-of-a-great-city-uca.shtml

CHEEVER, BURCHARD & CO.— St. Louis


In every large city there are certain popular and represent-
ative houses of a special line of goods, founded upon the com-
pleteness of their stock and enterprise of the proprietors, to
which the public turn with a certainty of finding just what they
desire, and that, too, of the best quality. What A. T. Stewart
is to New York, Worth is to Paris, Field, Leiter & Co. to
Chicago, Wm. Barr and D. Crawford to St. Louis, is the firm
of Cheever, Burchard & Co. to our own city — firms that have
gained the most extensive reputation and become the public's
great emporium for special lines of goods.


The original firm, out of Avhich grew the house of Cheever,
Burchard & Co., was established in the year 1846 by Warne
& Merritt, and was located on Market, between Main and
Second streets, in what was then the heart of the business
center of St. Louis. They carried a very large stock and did
a commensurate business until 1849, when their house was
destroyed by the great conflagration of that year. Phoenix-
like, they rose from the ashes of their burnt offering, and
secured quarters in one of the first of the new buildino-s
directly afterwards erected on Main, between Chestnut and
Pine streets.


In the year 1858 Mr. Merritt disposed of his interest in
the store to Mr. Cheever, when the firm name was changed to
Warne, Cheever & Co. The business of the city at this time
begun to extend up Main, Second and Fourth streets, and the
firm saw the importance of establishing their house in the
advance of the moving trade ; accordingly, they leased their
present store in the Collier Block, in the year 1861, at that
time the finest block of buildings west of New York.


No new changes occurred in the business until 1870, when
Mr. Warne retired and the name of the firm was chanofed to
its present title, Cheever, Burchard & Co. The house deals
in house-furnishing articles generally, making a specialty of
silver-plated ware, cutlery and children's carriages, in which
last-named article, they are the largest dealers in America.
They are also large manufiicturers of bird cages ; and keep an
extensive stock, which comprises nearly every conceivable
article of household use, in which special line they have no
competitors.


Cheever, Burchard & Co. are the head and front of their
particular business, and have secured a trade, both jobbing
and retail, that is no less than surprising. They keep four
men constantly in the country, and their goods may be found
in use in nearly every family in the Mississippi Valley.

Looks like a great razor in wonderful condition. Beyond that there is nothing to compare to a piece with so much personal history. When your ready to shave like your great great grandpa, just get that beauty honed professionally and it will last many more generations. Thank you for the story and pics and treasure it forever.

I can't help with history. Just wanted to say congrats on the score and thanks for posting those super photos.

Sorry, no history to add, but rather as others have said, what a great piece of family history! I hope you eventually get it honed and enjoy using it. I would find out as much as I can about it's original owner, write it down and make sure your kids and grand kids know its history and worth too. Thanks for sharing too!