Straight Razors
Like most American cutlery companies of the time, Robeson manufactured a wide variety of straight razors. The earliest razors were imported from Germany and are marked, "M. F. ROBESON" on the tang. These date from about 1891 to 1894. I assume that imported razors manufactured prior to 1891 do exist, but I've not seen one to date.
Due to the tariffs on imported cutlery passed by Congress in 1891, Millard Robeson sought an American manufacturer for his cutlery. As previously noted in the History section, he settled on a group of English immigrant cutlers in Camillus, New York. Razors made by them might be marked "M. F. ROBESON" or "ROBESON PREMIER". These razors are most often seen with plain smoothe black composition handles. The blades were often very nicely etched with logos such as, "OUR PET" or "ROBESON'S BEST". After Robeson moved his manufacturing to Perry, New York and his sales and distribution to Rochester, New York, in about 1900, the razors assumed a more decorative form. Fancy colored or patterned celluloid handles were used. Many of the popular embossed handles of the day were utilized. Most of the razor's blades carried a copyrighted logo, "The Razor That Fits Your Face". Others had fancy self-advertising blade etches. Some handles were embossed with the company's name and that included the Terrier brand which Robeson manufactured only from 1910 to 1916.
I do not really collect, nor do I search for, Robeson razors. I am a pocketknife collector. However, if I come across an old razor from the last part of the ninetenth century, and it is in good shape, or has a nice or interesting blade etch, I might think it desirable to own. If I find a really nice razor with fancy colorful or embossed celluloid handles, I will usually think it desirable to own. If a razor possesses any kind of self advertising, I will buy it, but it must be in great condition.
Below are the razors that are in my collection, and a few really nice razors that have appeared and sold on Ebay recently. Some of those I actively sought by bidding. However, if they are shown in the Ebay section, obviously, I did not win the auction. Some Robeson razors have sold for high prices on Ebay, not because they were Robeson razors, but because of the rarity of their handles. Razor collectors are first and foremost razor handle collectors. The brand names are secondary, unless one collects only one brand or one family association of brands, such as The Case Family.
In the early 1900's Robeson published a little booklet to assist a purchaser in choosing one of their razors. I've based the dating of the booklet on the clothing and equipment pictured in the book, as well as the physical appearance of the men in the illustrations. These little booklets turn up often at knife shows and on Ebay. They are fascinating little glimpses into our American past and Robeson razor manufacture in particular.
The Booklet
Cover of Booklet with See-Through Eyes First Page of Booklet with See-Through Eyes
Page Two with Information and Eye Holes Page Three with Very Young Man & His Eyes
Page Four with Razor for a "Nervous Man" Page Five
Page Six with Razor for a "Nervous Man" Page Seven
Page Eight Page Nine
Page Ten with Another "Nervous Man" Razor Page Eleven
Page Twelve Page Thirteen
Page Fourteen Honing and Shaving Instructions
Final Page
The Razors in My Collection
Twisted Rope Celluloid Tiny Corn Razor M. F. Robeson "OUR PET" 1891-1896
M. F. Robeson "Robeson's Best" 1891-1896 Robeson Premier "Robeson's Best" 1896-1900
Fancy Black Celluloid, etched "IOWA" "NU-BACK" "New Science Concave"
Black Celluloid "ShurEdge" Self-Advertiser Black Celluloid "ShurEdge" Self-Advertiser
Black Celluloid "TERRIER" Self-Advertiser Yellow Celluloid with silver "ShurEdge" inlay
Fancy Tortoise Colored Embossed Celluloid Fancy Pearlescent Green Celluloid TERRIER
Black/Green Striped Celluloid etched "The Pilot" Fancy Embossed Celluloid etched "Blue Jay"
Faux Tortoise "The Razor That Fits Your Face" Fancy White Embossed Celluloid
Faux Tortoise "The Razor That Fits Your Face" Twisted Rope Fancy Self-Advertising Etch
Plain Bone Colored Celluloid TERRIER Embossed Handle "ShurEdge" Self-Advertiser
Fancy Pearl Tang with "ShurEdge" Blade Etch Pearl Tang Razor in Original Snap Top Box
Original TERRIER and ROBESON Razor Boxes ShurEdge Strop Dressing & Wool Razor Pouch
Robeson ShurEdge Razor Hone in Original Box ShurEdge Hone in Opened Box
Robeson Razors Seen On Ebay
"The Conveyable Shaving Equipment" "The Conveyable Shaving Equipment"
This kit nicely marked in gold, "The Conveyable Shaving Equipment; The Robeson Cutlery Co. Rochester, N.Y." sold on Ebay in early 2006. The razor collectors put a great deal of value in it and it sold beyond my common sense at the time. I often regret having not been more aggressive in my bidding.
Nice Aluminum Razor Sold on Ebay in 2005 "Rochester Trade Mark" Blade Etch
Bone Handled Razor Sold on Ebay in 2006 This Snake Handled Razor Sold For $685.00
Razor collectors are really razor handle collectors,and brand names are of only secondary consideration, as noted above. Bone handled razors, by any manufacturer, are few and far between and the Robeson example, above left, sold accordingly. They went nuts over the snake handled razor above right, which just happened to have been manufactured by Robeson.
Flowing Hair Razor Sold on Ebay in 2007 ShurEdge Handled Self-Advertiser Sold in 2007
The three images above are copyrighted by Ebay Picture Manager and are used for illustration purposes only.