SOME CURIOUS RAZORS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11578, 23 December 1915, Page 4

SOME CURIOUS RAZORS.

A recent issue of " Hardware and Metal'"' (Toronto) contains an interesting account of tho work which lias been dono throughout Canada in collecting disused razors for tho use of tho British troops. By tho early part of September 15,000 had been received and 10,000 despatched to tho Master Cutler of Sheffield. The collection included somo curious and interesting specimens. One has a patent detachable blade, which is held or released by tho action of a little catch or lever at the back, whereby worn-out blades can be easily replaced. Another has a blado which must have been hamnirered out of ;i j file, ;us tho file cuts are still distinct. ! The handle is formed from bird's-eye maplewood, and put together with rivets and burrs rnadd from old zinc nails and washers. This razor may be regarded as an example of the resourcefulness of tho early settler in Canada. It icamo from Lake Superior. Two other razors are mado out of old files, and havo handles of solid pieces of wood, cub through and held together with a rivet at tho joint. There are three fairly modern specimens of blades, but filled-up crude hand-made handles, held together with wire nails. They came from places where it, was not possible* to have them properly repaired. The owner of an early specimen of hand-forged razor stated that tho instrument had been in the possession of his family more than seveutv- . y?Another, which had been used in tho Crimean War, must have been costly to buy, as the scales are of tortoiseshell inlaid with silver. Several havo embossed handles. Probably tiio earliest specimen has a, shank thinner than tho blade, which is tho rover so of u hat razors are now. The majority of these curiosities are quite unfit for further service, but they would form valuable and interesting exhibits in a museum or collection of antique cutlery work if any exists.