Straight razors, which reached their design zenith in the early 1900’s, have changed
(to the untutored eye) very little since the late 1700’s. Yet in reality they have
changed a good deal - including the very steel they are made from. Handles (or, more
properly, scales) have undergone changes in design and composition too. The difference
are subtle yet significant and, for anyone wishing to better understand their chosen
method of eliminating the stubble, can be appreciated. The next three pages give
a brief history of the straight razor but are - by no means! - exhaustive.