The Straight Razor
The straight razor, also known as the cut-throat razor, is a type of razor with a long, straight blade that can be folded into its handle. This type of razor has been used for centuries for shaving and grooming, and it is still popular among many barbers and shaving enthusiasts today. But where did the straight razor come from, and who invented it?
The exact origins of the straight razor are unclear, but historians believe that the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used similar types of razors for shaving. However, the modern straight razor as we know it today was first developed in Sheffield, England, during the 18th century.
The first known maker of straight razors in Sheffield was Benjamin Huntsman, a cutler who developed a new method of producing high-quality steel known as crucible steel. Huntsman's crucible steel was strong, durable, and easy to sharpen, making it ideal for use in straight razors.
Huntsman's straight razors quickly became popular among barbers and gentlemen alike, and the demand for his razors grew rapidly. Other cutlers in Sheffield soon began producing their own straight razors, and by the early 19th century, Sheffield had become the center of the world's straight razor industry.
Over the years, various improvements were made to the design of the straight razor, such as adding a hollow grind to the blade to make it lighter and more flexible. In the late 19th century, the safety razor was invented, which used a replaceable blade and was much safer and easier to use than the straight razor.
Despite the invention of the safety razor, the straight razor remained popular among barbers and shaving enthusiasts throughout the 20th century. Today, many barbers and shavers still prefer to use a straight razor for its precision and control.
Huntsman's high-quality steel and innovative design made the straight razor popular among barbers and gentlemen, and Sheffield soon became the center of the world's straight razor industry. Although the safety razor eventually supplanted the straight razor in popularity, (and the disposable overtook the safety razor) the straight razor remains a popular tool for traditional shavers.
- The Straight Razor Collectors Club: https://www.straightrazorplace.com/
- History of the Straight Razor: https://www.classicshaving.com/pages/history-of-the-straight-razor
- The Art of Manliness: How to Use a Straight Razor: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-use-a-straight-razor/