Description
This vintage 5/8 razor was made by well known Sheffield razor makers Osborne Garrett & Co and bears the KROPP brand. This brand was very popular in the 20th Century and was the company very well regarded for producing excellent quality blades. The carbon 5/8 full hollow blade has a round point, jimping to the upper and lower tang and a plain spine. The scales are faux ivory while the reverse side of the tang is marked “Ground in Hamburg”. It has a few marks from historical corrosion but is in good condition overall..
The trademark “KROPP” was used by Osborne, Garrett & Co. razor and strop manufacturers who operated between 1899 and 1923 and had shops located 51 to 54 Frith Street, 8 to 11 Bateman Street and 34 to 35 Dean Street London W1 as well as in Birmingham, Glasgow & Manchester. They were also proprietors of the “Elmo” “Carrara” “Ogee” and “Osgar” brands of razor. The “Kropp” was the most well known. Our research suggests that mention of the razor being made in Germany means it dates from before the First World War, when they were described as being “Ground in Hamburg made in Sheffield”. This razor could however date from the period around 1900 when the razors were just marked “Ground in Germany”. Later razors were described as being made in Sheffield.
