Looking for info about my 1st open razor...

Urban Hermit

Urban Hermit

Messages
1,446
Location
Sheffield, UK
Hi,

I just won (sorta by accident) a vintage Sheffield straight razor called "the Turtle". I can't find anything information about it so far, history, stats, maker, years produced, etc.

Anyone able to supply any facts or direct me to some site that has a good chance of having some info about it?

Yes, my first (and possibly only) straight razor ... not from snobby reasons, but more from my nerve and muscle spasms that could make it a real cut throat shave.

Thanks for your time and consideration folks.
 
I haven't taken ownership of it yet. Bought it on eBay from a seller that's been fairly accurate and otherwise seems genuine and honest with their info, so far. Also they're known to others here as a good source of product, crap photos and a decent rep, as far as I can remember.
 
Link? I haven´t heard of it though, I´m sure when Neil´s back he´ll know. Also as TheSS says ;), would be good to know if ther´s any more marks/writing ...
 
Here's the eBay clickie-thingie.

Attempts at deciphering the vendor's very minimalist blurb & the blurry piccie of ecta4:

      • - Kropp might be what he meant by "kroop".
        - TURTLE is likely to be what's engraved on the tang
        - there looks like some kind of cursive script on the blade itself, but I can't suss it out.[/list:u][/list:u][/list:u]
 
Can´t read the link, but Kropp sounds about right (prob. more so than the Turtle anyhow). They do have a good rep and often go for nice prices even though they´re as good as many other more high priced ones (like Humburger Ring, Gong etc).
 
Thanks Nic, and the rest of you. Maybe Neil will know of this particular Kropp, or be able to point me along the research path to it.

A Kropp 'directory' would be really nice wouldn't it? I've seen so many razors under their name it sometimes seems that they must have given each individual razor its own name!
:lol:
 
Hi, I haven't seen this brand among Osborne, Garrett & Co.s razors before, but that's not to say it isn't one of theirs. A 1938 ad lists their brands as follows:

kroppadvert.jpg


but the company goes back to 1899. Originally they made other metal items, like ornamental cast iron stands for books, etc before specialising in razors and strops and then as suppliers of hairdressers sundries.

I seem to recall having (or selling?) a Turtle quite some time ago - quite a narrow width and a lot like a Kropp - but there are so many that look like Kropps. I can't understand why this particular seller is calling it a 'kroop' (agree with the others that this is probably a mis-reading of Kropp) if it isn't on the tang - unless it is on the box somewhere. If it is on the box, that isn't any proof that the razor is a kropp of course - all it proves is that this razor is in a Kropp box.

I'd like to see better pics of the razor once you get it - in the meantime I will try and find my Turtle.

Regards,
Neil
 
I wish the pi9ctures were worth the wait, but anyway, here's some shots of the Turtle. Click the thumbnail pics for larger photos.



Nowhere on it does it seem to have the word "Kropp" on it (nor does it have "Kroop" which was the typo in the auction blurb).
 
An update, finally, courtesy of Whitakers Red Book of Commerce for 1913 which lists this manufacturer:

L. H. Turtle

of Crown Hill Works, Croydon

* 1874 Company established byThomas Lindsley as a saw manufacturer.

* 1894 Company re-established by Louis Henry Turtle, who had previously been connected to a Sheffield manufacturer for twenty years when he managed and travelled for one of the leading houses.

* 1914 Tool specialists, cutlery manufacturers and furnishing and builders' ironmongers. Specialities: tools for all trades with expert knowledge of manufacture both English, American and continental. Sole agents for Bassett-Lowke scale model locos and "Hobbies" specialities. Employees 18.

The re-establishment of the company in 1894 also saw "Croydon & Sheffield" imprinted on their razor cases. L H Turtle may have been the manufacturer of the Turtle razor, or it could have been bought in from a leading Sheffield firm met with by Louis when he was a traveller (ie an agent or rep) for 'one of the leading houses' in Sheffield.

Regards,
Neil
 
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