Identity Help, please – Mark76 and Leo esp…

[Jende Industries]

I’ve got a straight razor on consignment that is most likely French that I would like to know if any of our European of or in-any-way-French-related friends might be able to dig anything up on….

It’s a Jouhet Brevet Medialle Wedge razor. I’ve looked in the razor guides and online, and found nothing. From what I can tell, the name is French(?) and I’d place it around 1870-1890 based on the fact that it is a forged wedge (instead of a hollow ground wedge), no jimps, and what appears to be “silver steel” (nickel added to the steel gives it a shine and is more rust resistant. Scales are not the originals.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I’m thinking of Leo and Mark may have sources in French cutlery that I don’t have – most razors are German or English. Thanks!

[Mark76]

Hi Tom, I’ve asked two French knife specialists. Hopefully they’ll be able to come up with something, although they are usually into pocket knives and cutlery only.

So I also asked my barber. The guy doubles as a straight razor dealer and if this razor has ever shown up in the Netherlands, chances are he knows it :-).

I asked them by email, so I hope they’ll respond soon.

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Jende Industries]

THANK YOU, Mark!! :woohoo: Those are the kind of resources I’m talking about, my friend! I’m on the edge of my seat now!

[Jende Industries]

OK, So I googled Jouhet, and it turns out that it is indeed a farming town in France, west of Thiers… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jouhet

The English article is a little dry. The one in French is better, but, oddly, no mention of its razor tradition… although it was a very active resistance town during WWII. Nice! B)
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jouhet#Histoire

[Mark76]

Tom, have you got a close up of the logo of the maker on the “choil”?

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Leo Barr]

There appears to be a couple of sites deal with French razors -http://www.strazors.com/index.php?id=443&doc=french_eddor_razor_ http://www.strazors.com/index.php?id=443&doc=french_eddor_razor_ http://www.rebelrazor.com http://www.dovorazors.com
I would also possible try to mail gilles@fontenille-pataud.com perhaps he could point you in the right direction it looks as if the quality is good enough that someone at least in France may be familiar with it .
I guess the problem is that in their heyday there must have been numerous makes that disappeared with the advent of the safety razor still it would be interesting to find out something of the razor .
Gilles is based in Theirs so that at least a good place to start and Gilles I think he speaks English – a little hard to feel what with Google translate but he has connections in Theirs with other makers so it may be with you contacting him .
He certainly makes beautiful knives and he knows both Perceval & Isabelle et Pascal Graveline some of the best knife makers in France so between them there is a possibility of someone knowing about the razor especially as it appears to have been made in Theirs.

[Jende Industries]

Thanks for the info Leo – I will look!

Apparently, I misspelled the Brevet – it should be Brevete :ohmy:

Mark, here’s the closeup of the tang.

[Mark76]

Tom,

Sorry I hadn’t responded yet, but everyone I asked has never heard of this maker.

Not that it is very strange, some time ago I came across a Dutch made straight razor that no-one had heard of. I didn’t even know that a single straight razor was made in Holland. But apparently it came from a small factory that did exist around 1900.

I think Leo’s tip is the best, since Brevete is so close to Thiers. Next to Gilles I have also met Dominique Chambriard and Robert David. They are not only makers of well-known Laguiole and Le Thiers knives, but also very kind men with a lot of knowledge of the knife history in Thiers and surroundings. So simply mailing them may be a good idea.

Thiers also has a tourist office (contact@thiers-tourisme.fr) and a knife museum (musee-coutellerie@ville-thiers.fr) that might be of help.

Success!

Molecule Polishing: my blog about sharpening with the Wicked Edge

[Leo Barr]

Some very useful links there Mark. As an Englishman I am disappointed in what England has to offer . I found one interesting kitchen knife maker who I contacted who claims he is going to start forging knives . Sheffield steel used to be highly rated but it seems the majority of makers have gone for the cheap option( a phrase from a British comedy of yesteryear ” Never mind the quality feel the width”,) in England except for custom makers .
One name did crop up he claims he will be forging in the future the press seem to like him when I move back I am going t o pay him a visit .http://www.blok-knives.co.uk

I think his prices are high compared to Takeda(who forges or even Murray Carter but as ever he evidently has impressed the right people which unfortunately is the way to success ) but he seems to be the only British maker of note .
I have to say to me a real blade smith forges I feel that with an angle grinder and some basic tools it would not be that difficult to cut out a knife and heat treat even the handle seems reasonable with modern tools but forging or forge welding for laminated knife seems like the real deal . Having said that he is not too far from where I am moving too so if I get to see his workshop I will post some pictures .

The only other knives that I have found British made are sailing & rigging knifes nothing of any real quality there I am afraid .

The French Theirs region seem to lead followed perhaps by the Swiss & the Swedish in western Europe.

[Jende Industries]

Thank you for the replies and the help, gentlemen!

Alas, this one seems to be a dead end… The razor does have a new home now, though and the owner is excited all the same, regardless of its age. B)

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