North American Cutlery razor

[Mumbleypeg]

I don’t collect razors but I have a couple that have stamps aligned with my other cutlery diseases. So when I saw this one I needed it to go with with my knives from North American Cutlery. North American was a cutlery “jobber” outfit owned by some members of the Case family. The blade is etched “North American”. The etch includes the picture of a Native American, which makes me think it was possibly made by Cattaraugus. The celluloid handle is marked with what remains of “NORTH AMERICAN CUTLERY COMPANY” over what I believe once likely said “BEAVER CITY NEBRASKA ”.

Also found this in Witcher’s Counterfeiting Antique Cutlery. I have been looking for info on the stamp and the company, only to discover this, which I’ve had for years!

[Steve Warden]

Sweet score, Ken!
That's a beaut!

[doglegg]

Very knice Ken. Fancy handle.

[kootenay joe]

Is there a chip out of the blade end or was it made that way, and if so, why ?
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

Is there a chip out of the blade end or was it made that way, and if so, why ?
kj

It’s not chipped, it was made that way. That is called a “barber’s notch”. It’s there to make it easier to open the blade by catching it on something (like the seam of your pants) and flicking it open. Supposedly barbers preferred it because they frequently opened razors - the notch makes it more convenient.

I don’t shave with a straight razor so I’m just telling what I’ve been told. Someone else may have more to add (or tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about, which would be true. )

Ken

[Steve Warden]

Is there a chip out of the blade end or was it made that way, and if so, why ?
kj

It’s not chipped, it was made that way. That is called a “barber’s notch”. It’s there to make it easier to open the blade by catching it on something (like the seam of your pants) and flicking it open. Supposedly barbers preferred it because they frequently opened razors.

I don’t shave with a straight razor so I’m just telling what I’ve been told. Someone else may have more to add (or tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about, which would be true. )

Ken

Pretty much what I know about the "barber's notch."
I have one razor with the notch and I've never used it to open the razor. I just pinch and pull, like an Easy Open knife.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Ken. I have a few old straight razors and none have this notch but are very easy to open by grasping the spine as Steve has mentioned.
However a barber often would have scissors or a comb in his other hand and thus the notch would be helpful.
kj

[Colonel26]

The Barber’s notch makes it easier to shave your lip around your nose.

[kootenay joe]

The Barber’s notch makes it easier to shave your lip around your nose.

Thanks. I must try a straight razor someday/
kj

[Colonel26]

The Barber’s notch makes it easier to shave your lip around your nose.

Thanks. I must try a straight razor someday/
kj

My neck area is sensitive and my lower whiskers swirl in all directions. Shaving with one of those modern multi blade cartridge razors tears me up bad. Double edge safety razors are a vast improvement in the comfort and closeness of shave for me. But nothing has ever given me as comfortable and less irritating s shave as a straight razor. Ymmv

As to the OP razor, it’s a dandy and would be most welcome in any collection.

[Steve Warden]

The Barber’s notch makes it easier to shave your lip around your nose.

Hmmm...never heard that. Not saying it's wrong, just never heard it.
Guess I'll never know since I've very partial to my handlebar mustache!

[Colonel26]

The Barber’s notch makes it easier to shave your lip around your nose.

Hmmm...never heard that. Not saying it's wrong, just never heard it.
Guess I'll never know since I've very partial to my handlebar mustache!

Steve I gathered that from personal experience and reading on the straight razor forums.

Now I haven’t shaved my lip in years as I usually wear at least a goatee if not a full beard.