can't find maker

Use a straight. You know it makes sense.
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oddbits
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can't find maker

Post by oddbits »

Hi, I am new to this so I hope I am in the right place.

I have an old straight razor with the makers stamp
CHAMPION & Co. SHEFFIELD
I can't find the name anywhere.
Can anyone help please.
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drmoss_ca
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Re: can't find maker

Post by drmoss_ca »

Welcome to SMF. I've seen razors called Champion, but not as a manufacturer - it was used by Geo. Manby & Co and B.J.Eyre & Co. However, the The Sheffield directory and guide: containing a history of the town (by Henry Blackwell, and available free on Google Books) does contain this little snippet:
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No dates of operation, I'm afraid. If you feel like it, post up some photos and we'll explore a bit further.

Chris
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
oddbits
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Re: can't find maker

Post by oddbits »

Hi, thanks for the reply. You have come up with the same info as myself.
I will try and sort a few photos.
thanks.
oddbits
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Re: can't find maker

Post by oddbits »

Hi, still no luck in finding this maker.
If the photos are not clear

CHAMPION & CO
ESTD 1780
SHEFFIELD

CORPORATE MARK
C inside a diamond

Would appreciate any help
Thanks
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drmoss_ca
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Re: can't find maker

Post by drmoss_ca »

I'd say it either can be attributed to Thomas Champion or perhaps a precursor (who may have been Thomas) of the firm Rhodes & Champion - there is an argument against this - for design reasons such a Champion would have had to separated from Rhodes as this razor is of later design). They, by the way, have a curious rationale for making framebacks other than cheapness or lack of skilled grinders:
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But if Rhodes & Champion were allied in the era of framebacks, and this razor is a lot more modern than that, how come it says Champion alone? The snippet above comes from The Sheffield Directory, published in 1828. We know your razor cannot have been made before 1780, and a single glance tells us this razor was not early production. It has a normal tang rather than a stubby one. Double stabiliser so fully hollowed, and it still has the bevel on the lower part of the shank. However there are jimps on top of the shank and the spine and the edge are almost straight and parallel. Bone scales. This is a mid-century razor, probably between 1840 and 1860, and probably made by Thomas Champion, or just possibly another Champion who was once partnered with Rhodes in the frameback era, but working alone again by the time of this razor's production.
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
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Re: can't find maker

Post by oddbits »

Hi, great information, more food for thought. Knowing the age helps.
Many thanks.
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