Straight Razors.  You’ve seen them in movies, legit barbershops and if you’ve been following this blog, you know I’m a passionate collector/user.  You’ve told yourself you would learn to use one – someday.  Well, friend, that day is here.  I have for you a reconditioned vintage straight razor from the SHUMATE RAZOR COMPANY.

What is the Shumate Razor Company?

“Shumate, [shu-MAH-tay], sold high-quality razors from 1900 until 1932. They are still widely available and considered very good shavers.”
StraightRazorPlace.com

 

This razor is at least 80 years old.  And let me tell you – it is a fantastic shaver.  Lots of websites will sell you razors but will tell you they are not sure if they are “shave ready.”  Well this one is.  Tested on FACIAL HAIR.  Understand something – when people pluck one of their own hairs to demonstrate sharpness, it means nothing.  It means even less when they say they have tested it on the hair on their arms.  Facial hair is coarse and tough (steel wire in some cases), and I have never seen a beard as soft as arm hair.

Still reading?  Good.

Here’s why you should shave with a straight.

1) Cool factor.  It’s old & made with quality/care in the USA.

2)It’s green (no disposable blades or plastic handles to fill landfills).

3) Disposable razors are for your significant other’s legs, pits and/or genitals.

4) Incredibly close shave.

I picked up this razor at an estate sale and took it to ROSS CUTLERY in downtown Los Angeles. It was expertly honed and reground to its former glory.  You’ll need a strop to use this razor but after that, you won’t need to pick up anything else as far as hardware.

Ready to buy?  Use this contact form and let’s set it up.  FREE SHIPPING for this 1st razor!  I have a collection of over 30 and will post more every month.

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And finally, a little history about the SHUMATE RAZOR COMPANY:

History^[1]

1884- Albert Teagarden founds a general goods retailing company [name?] in Austin, Texas.

1885- Joseph Shumate becomes partner, company named Teagarden & Shumate.

1900 (approx.)- Firm first deals in cutlery, company renamed Shumate Razor Company.

1904-1906- Company relocates to St. Louis, Missouri.

References

1. ↑ Goins’ Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings, 1998, p.253