Rare, Gorgeous Joseph Rodgers & Sons Hamburg Ring Straight Razor

Joseph Rodgers & Sons has a lengthy and fairly epic history. Through the centuries (yes, centuries), Rodgers & Sons managed to become synonymous with the utmost quality. There are a multitude of historical anecdotes about the impeccable materials and manufacture that surrounded their goods. Some include prisoners managing to cut through their iron shackles using their trusty blades or British Royalty cutting the arms off Joseph Rodgers himself, to prevent him constructing more of these dangerously excellent knives and cutting tools. In fact, the impeccable quality of their knives even formed new words in far-flung lands. It is stated that in and around India and Sri Lanka, 'Rujjus' became a sort of slang meaning 'top quality.' It even found itself entered into the Sinhalese dialect as a general expression of superlative quality. Some restaurants even advertised their food as being of 'Rujjus' quality. Whether these stories are true or not, they speak volumes about the impeccable nature with which these items were built.

The origins of the company are a little foggy. The standard markings are the Star and Maltese Cross and find themselves stamped on all Rodgers pieces. We can trace the origins of the company by looking into the history of these marks. Luckily, British monarchy insisted on registered maker's marks (for ownership, but frankly, more for the income from taxing these items) which makes tracing histories infinitely easier.
Joseph Rodgers first registered the Star and Maltese Cross mark as his own in 1764. A small cutlery company, Joseph Rodgers prided himself on providing the absolute best that money could buy. The quality of his wares were, in themselves, the best advertising. Although limited to strictly pocket knives, in 16 short years, they had enjoyed immense success and had outgrown their premises. At this time, they purchased their No. 6 Norfolk Street property, which would be added to and expanded until the famous Norfolk Street Works took up the entire plot and became the largest factory in the city!
Around 1800, they broadened their product line to include razors, cutlery and scissors. By now, Joseph's two sons - Joseph Jr. and Maurice had taken up the mantle and were effectively running the family business. However, in 1800, there was a falling out and Maurice left. The company was renamed Joseph Rodgers & Sons, but despite the name change, their quality remained steadfast. It took only 20 years for the Royal family to notice, and Rodgers were appointed cutlers to the Royal family, an honour they would keep through 5 consecutive monarchs - George IV, William IV, Queen Victoria, Edward II and George V. By the mid-1800s, they were Sheffield's largest factory, constructing wares for the Royal Family, and their name was synonymous with some of the best quality pieces on the planet. Innovative, as well, they were the first to open their doors to the public, allowing the layman to enter their facilities and purchase products straight off the shelves. It was such a departure from standard retail practice that upon opening, customers didn't know what the goods lining the cabinets were for. Their showroom was splendid, attracting nobility and gentry from all over the world. Even King Edward VII and the Shah of Persia sought entry into what was quickly becoming a major draw for Rodgers & Sons.
They remained an admirable organization, never wavering from their roots of utmost quality and workmanship. However, with the turn of the 20th century, tough times loomed ahead. Rodgers provided some truly excellent blades for the British armed forces during the First World War, but that wouldn't save them from the same fate that affected millions of businesses around the world. The Great Depression hit Rodgers & Sons, and hit them hard. In 1914, near the peak of their production capabilities, the company employed 1500 people. Only 15 years later, in 1929, their financial state was such that they were forced to sell their No. 6 Norfolk Street address and by mid-century, their workforce had plummeted to a mere 325 employees. Although eventually purchased by a conglomerate in 1971, they were never able to regain their former glory. They exist today only as a small portion of a company under the Egginton Brothers name - a company founded in Sheffield in 1871, but managed to avoid the financial windfalls of the Great Depression using a combination of shrewd business practice and the acquisition of surrounding, floundering companies.

Although the fate of the company is quite sad, I am thrilled to be able to provide this beautiful piece of history for sale.
The dating of this razor is coded in the markings:
Firstly, we can clearly see the Star and Maltese Cross the blade. This was the Rodgers hallmark since the early 1700s. In 1724, a ‘house workshop’ was rented to John Rodgers. Within these premises, several cutlers worked in what was referred to as 'The Company of Cutlers.' The Star and Maltese Cross was a mark that was given to another cutler in 1682, but had since gone unused. The Company agreed to 'let' (read 'rent') the mark to Rodgers on a temporary basis. By 1764, however, the mark was confirmed as his own. The mark has adorned all Rodgers wares for over 3 centuries. On the reverse, we see the same imprint found on a multitude of their knives - 'Ground in Sheffield,' and on the reverse, 'No. 6 Norfolk St Sheffield England,' and importantly, 'Cutlers to Their Majesties.' These seemingly innocuous stamps are actually the only part of the razor that help us date the piece. Being cutlers to the Royal Family since 1821, this quote had, by then, been stamped into Rodgers' wares for nearly 200 years and had continued to be applied to all their pieces. Had the razor read 'His Majesty,' or 'Her Majesty,' we'd be able to date the piece to a particular, single monarch. This razor had been made during Victoria and Albert's reign, as the quote reads 'Their Majesties.' However, Queen Victoria's husband, Albert, died in 1861. She was so heart broken that she decreed that the Royal Household would always be referred to as: "Their Majesties". Queen Victoria died in 1901, after which Edward became King and logos were changed to reflect this: "To His Majesty". This gives us a range of years during which this razor could have been made - 1837 to 1901. However, the handle is made of cellulose, an early plastic that didn't find its way into consumer goods until the late 19th century. Interestingly, it was an inventor by the name of John Wesley Hyatt who figured it out in 1869, in response to a New York firm's offer of $10,000 to anyone who could come up with an alternative to ivory. Billiards was becoming immensely popular and ivory was used as the primary material in billiard balls. Tortoise shells were also used in a great deal of consumer goods. The increasing cost, both fiscal and moral, of slaughtering elephants and tortoises led to the development of the world's first commercial plastics. For the first time in history, commercial goods weren't constrained to materials of the natural world and could be manufactured without resorting to animal byproducts. This helps us date the piece further, from the early 1870s to 1901. Unfortunately, I'm unable to narrow down the date any further, but we are looking at a stunning turn-of-the-century piece.
Upon the razor, we find the words 'The Hamburg Ring.' This one had me puzzled. At first, I assumed it was a model, as so many razors have their models engraved upon the blade. However, it seems there's more to it. Razors have various quality 'grinds.' If we were to look at the blade head-on (with the end of the blade sticking out directly towards your eyes), you could see the profile of the cut. Simple, cheap blades were basically an elongated 'V,' with the sharp end at the bottom and the thicker end at the top. However, the blade would be difficult to sharpen and would allow for less accuracy (despite its better edge retention). There is also less 'feel' for the cut, with a heavier blade made of thicker steel. As quality rises, so does the thinness of the blade. With a Wedge cut, the blade has flat sides. As the grinds increase, however (from Quarter Hollow, Half Hollow, Full Hollow and finally Extra Hollow), the sides of the blades become more concave. One can see the curve on the shiny portions of the blade. At the high end, we have what's referred to as "Extra Hollow," meaning there's far less steel that makes up the blade itself. In fact, most of the blade is, forgive the pun, razor thin, with the only thick portion being at the top. These blades are so thin and so accurate that they actually bend slightly during the shave. As a side-effect, when the blades cut through follicles of hair, they vibrate slightly, producing a pleasant 'ring.' The best steel came from Hamburg Germany, hence the name 'The Hamburg Ring.'

So, what we have here is the best possible razor blade, preferred by most professional shavers, manufactured by the most storied cutlers in history. Its condition leads me to believe that it has been a well-loved piece of history for decades. The blade itself is impeccable. Yes, there are a few surface blemishes... but they would be easily shined away. However, I refuse to do so... it is this slight patina, these minor imperfections that the blade has gathered over the last 130 years that give it the character I so adore. The handle is, for lack of a better word, near prefect. There is a slight scratch near one of the pin points, but it is in truly remarkable condition. Even the box is in excellent shape. Save for missing one flat end, at the thin side of the long portion, it is in exceptional condition, with all the original embossing visible and clear. And it is SHARP. I don't believe it was ever used, or if it was, very sparingly. The blade still measures just shy of 2cm in width.

This is a rare and stunning example of one of the most desirable razors in history and I am just smitten by it and its history.

As always, should you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to write. I'm always happy to respond to queries at my earliest convenience.

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