Vintage razors

I hope the image appears. These are the three vintage razors I inherited. The black one is a Wostenholm Pipe razor from Sheffield, not sure of the date. The brown one is an Edward Zinn, made in Sweden (no date), and thevYellow one is labelled Peter J Michels, Brooklyn, NY, made in Germany No. 10, and on the scales Spear. Some research shows that it was imported from Germany in 1928, and is made of ice-hardened stainless steel. The scales are possibly buffalo horn. I will try shaving with it tomorrow

Any back-story?   
You say 'inherited' - Dad?  Grandfather?    Grandmother  ????  

Just an observation - but they look like they are all about the same hollow ground they are all square point.   I see that sometimes people gravitate towards similar gear.

Inherited from a relative who was a barber and died in the 1970s. I’ve had only the Wostenholm and the Peter J Michels honed.

(02-20-2023, 11:54 AM)1981Eagle Wrote: Any back-story?   
You say 'inherited' - Dad?  Grandfather?    Grandmother  ????  

Just an observation - but they look like they are all about the same hollow ground they are all square point.   I see that sometimes people gravitate towards similar gear.

Actually, I think the Wostenholm is a wedge. But I’m not sure I entirely understand the different grinds.

(02-20-2023, 10:51 PM)Ilnones Wrote:

(02-20-2023, 11:54 AM)1981Eagle Wrote: Any back-story?   
You say 'inherited' - Dad?  Grandfather?    Grandmother  ????  

Just an observation - but they look like they are all about the same hollow ground they are all square point.   I see that sometimes people gravitate towards similar gear.

Actually, I think the Wostenholm is a wedge. But I’m not sure I entirely understand the different grinds.

But in the hollow grind, isn’t the blade concave on one side?

(02-21-2023, 05:43 PM)Ilnones Wrote: But in the hollow grind, isn’t the blade concave on one side?

No, a hollow ground razor is equally concaved on both sides.

(02-21-2023, 07:13 PM)TheLegalRazor Wrote:

(02-21-2023, 05:43 PM)Ilnones Wrote: But in the hollow grind, isn’t the blade concave on one side?

No, a hollow ground razor is equally concaved on both sides.

Well, based on the blade cross sections illustration, the Wostenholm is definitely a wedge, and the other two look like hollows, but they’re  both concave on one side.

Concave on one side is not something I've seen before - especially in US and European straights .... but I am by no means an expert.

I've some Japanese razors that are flat on one side and beveled on the other, but even then they are not typically (in my limited experience with Japanese blades) concave.

(02-22-2023, 04:06 PM)1981Eagle Wrote: Concave on one side is not something I've seen before - especially in US and European straights .... but I am by no means an expert.

I've some Japanese razors that are flat on one side and beveled on the other, but even then they are not typically (in my limited experience with Japanese blades) concave.

From a post at another shaving site, this is my Wostenholm razor exactly:


“A nice Wostenholm Pipe Razor in mottled faux tortoise scales. 5/8 wedge grind with etched side that reads:

The Original and true Pipe Razor
MANUFACTURED ONLY BY
George Wostenholm & Son
WASHINGTON WORKS SHEFFIELD”

(02-22-2023, 04:06 PM)1981Eagle Wrote: Concave on one side is not something I've seen before - especially in US and European straights .... but I am by no means an expert.

I've some Japanese razors that are flat on one side and beveled on the other, but even then they are not typically (in my limited experience with Japanese blades) concave.

Frim Fendrihan

TYPE
LEVEL
FEATURES FULL WEDGE
Beginner - Experienced 
-Flat
-No concave shape
-Lasting sharpness
-Stiff blade
QUARTER HOLLOW
Beginner - Experienced
-Stiff blade
-Easy to maintain 
-Good for thick/coarse hair
HALF-HOLLOW
Beginner - Expereineced
-Slightly concave
-Less maintenance 
-Suited for all hair types
FULL-HOLLOW
Experienced - Advanced
-Most widely available
-Fully concave
-Very Sharp
-Produces closest shave
-Flexible blade (not recommended for heavy beards)
-Expert honing and sharpening required