All About Pocket Knives

Hey guys... i found this really cool shaving box at the antique store. I has 2 matching razors inside.
There is 3 levels to the swing-out part of the box. The second level is missing all the utensils. Maybe y'all can tell me what fits in the upper portion of the 2nd level. There looks like there would be 2 parts of this utensil that fit together for use. There is one part then an opposite part.
The 3rd level had a shaving soap container and 3 other compartments for small storage.
Y'all ever seen one of these? I did a quick google search and didn't see one.
I think it is made of mahogany.....

Several pics to follow....

Mirror.... Razors included but scissors missing..... Third level.., toothbrush, (knife), file, and mystery utensil..... All levels showing..... More coming ......

Mike

There is a brass pin that goes thru all the levels to keep it closed when the lid is down and locked.
There is a brass pin that goes thru all the levels to keep it closed when the lid is down and locked.
Any ideas????

Mike

AND...
What about a spot for the brush?

I don't know.... but I thought it was an interesting piece.

Mike

Mike I know diddly squat about this but I can say with total confidence that this is in fact a very interesting piece. I'll be watching this thread to see if anyone can shed more light on it.

Yep... the thing that caught my interest the most was the way the different levels worked and how nicely the box was made.
I did find a little bit on the tang stamp on the razors... They say the tang stamp dates to about 1880 or so. SO, the lady that sold it to me might be right. She said it was made in the mid to late 1800's.....
COOL......

That's amazing mate,I would love to try and replicate that box

Mike - That is a really cool looking box - It looks like there may be a compartment behind the mirror. Did you check behind the mirror for any markings?

I believe your brush would be left out of the kit because you would not want a wet/soapy brush in a wooden box, and many fellas would shave twice a day, (keeping the brush wet) thus the two razors. Many kits had up to seven razors for each day of the week, and you saved your stropping for Sunday.

It's a great old item, and I hope to see more/similar pieces like that come out in this thread.
I wouldn't bee surprised if there were a small strop that went behind the mirror... Thus the mystery tool, a 2 piece stropping hook that appears to have a pivot assembly similar to a pair of scissors.

Mike's original comment:

Third level.., toothbrush, (knife), file, and mystery utensil.....

I reckon the (knife) is for a nail clipper next to the nail file.

Nice find, good luck with the mystery utensil.

Steve

Here is something close to what I was trying to describe about the "mystery tool".

The other empty spot on that tray that looks like a knife handle, and the extra brass pin in the top shelf could have made up the "pull end of the strop.

I do believe the two halves of the mystery tool would lock together to form the hook end.
After all a shaving kit is useless without a strop, and the hardware to use it could not fit behind the mirror (where I believe a strop lived).

Another similar kit from google images...

Home run Ken!
I see in the kit you posted there is a few similar items that have the shape my kit would include!
Great insight and history lesson too! Thanks!!

There is 2 long rectangular slots in the area behind the mirror. I could imagine seeing another pair of razors there. One slot is a bit deeper than the other. I think a razor still in the box would fit there.

I am wondering about a spot for a strop now........

Mike

Two more razors don't really make sense.
Perhaps two thin strops? One for a compound/grit, and the other clean?

Perhaps the two "mystery tool spaces are actually two hooks for two strops?

I'd post your pictures, and questions on one of the straight razor forums. Someone there will know right away what you have because some of those fellas are as serious as some of the folding knife collectors here.

http://straightrazorplace.com/forum.php

If you look at the item in the lower right hand corner, but above the containers, in the kit Ken posted, unfolded it would be a semi-circular handle with a straight hook. the hook would slip into a channel in a looped strop, providing a pulling handle to make it taut for use.

And I suspect your two piece tool did the same.

For sure English in origin.

You need a Joseph Rodgers knife of the correct length and with clean and flush joint(s) for that knife slot.

Charlie Noyes

I do believe you are 100% correct Charlie.
Every box set I have looked at on the net has a folding knife in there somewhere.
I thought it was just a handle but you are more likely correct.

I'd also bet that someone on the razor forums might just have a line on the missing pieces.

Here is a pic of the space behind the mirror. The 2 spots back there have a different depth. The one on the right is deeper than the one on the left.
I do suppose the stop could be narrow. I don't guess there is a set width for a stop.
Yep, I think I will post this over on the straight razor forum you posted a link to Ken. I'm sure there is someone there that has a set with all the utensils still in it......LOL.

I found a pic another similar box.This one is missing all the same parts (and more).

could be a linen strop, and a leather strop... It's all just a guess but it makes sense to me anyway.

I was thinking that besides ID ing the missing bits, you may be able to actually replace them on the razor forums.
I bought the missing box for my 1930 Genco Master Cutter over there.

Just saw your post while I was posting this... It appears that these "kits" were High Style" back in the day.

This new one looks like it has the same hardware, and perhaps the same maker. Cool stuff to research!

Yep, I am registering on the forum you gave me the link to.
I will definitely post my findings here for educational purposes.

Thanks Ken!

Mike

Well, I was warmly welcomed at the straight razor site. We shall see what turns up.

Anyway, I found this image on the net of a vanity box with an item inside that has the basic shape of my mystery item.

OK.... I think there has been some light shed on MY box.
I was told by an expert that knows these boxes that this is an officers military campaign box. The 2 mystery items are boot hooks for pulling on high top boots. One of them even has a shoe buckle hook on the end.
I was also told, the 2 razors are too new for the box. The razors are from about 1880 but the box is from about 1815.

WOW.... now, I need to find the goodies that go in the box!

Mike

So, there ya go....

The utensils that have the hooks are called "boot pulls". This be them:

Meridian_Mike wrote:The utensils that have the hooks are called "boot pulls". This be them:

boot pulls.jpg

Is the one at the bottom made for two different uses. It could be a lace or button puller.
What would be the second use for the top one.
It looks like you have a life time job finding parts.
Grant

Shearer wrote:

Meridian_Mike wrote:The utensils that have the hooks are called "boot pulls". This be them:

boot pulls.jpg

Is the one at the bottom made for two different uses. It could be a lace or button puller.
What would be the second use for the top one.
It looks like you have a life time job finding parts.
Grant

Yep, I found one that looks like the one at the bottom with the button hook. Only problem is, it's over in England. I got to think about that one for a while before I pull the trigger.
I'm gonna bet all the pieces can be found over in Europe. That is where this box originated....

Oh boy....

I see what is happening with those boot pulls.
There is a "T" handle on the end so when you use it the handle pivots, and then folds flush for storage.

This is very cool! So just think... Your box could have been used at the time of the Napoleonic war! DNA TIME!!!

I'm sure glad you got this sorted out, and I can imagine the responses from people that know these kits.
I think it's quite the nice prize!
Good for you Mike! Thanks for sharing!