My grandfather's razor

Maynard · Post by **Maynard** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:17 pm

After learning of my recent interest in wetshaving, my dad dug out a double-edge razor that belonged to my grandfather. My dad is now visiting from Italy and brought me the razor. As you can imagine, I was pretty excited to see it, as I didn't even know how my grandfather used to shave. Born in Italy in 1896, my grandfather grew up in Milan and fought in the First World War (that's the one that Italy fought on the winning side!). Here he is:

The razor's brand is Funken--has anyone ever heard of it? Clearly a German name, but the razor appears to have been produced in Milan and for the Italian market (it has the Italian word "originale" on it). It looks an awful lot like a Merkur HD--in fact, I wonder if it might just be a re-branded Merkur. I couldn't believe how good it looked! It's really in excellent conditions (my dad had it cleaned). Below are a few pictures. My dad estimates that my grandfather bought it in the 1930s.

I can't wait to shave with it. Unfortunately my grandfather died a few months before I was born, and I always regretted not being able to get to know him and have him in my life. I've often been told by relatives that I resemble him in more ways than one. So it's going to be very special for me to shave with his razor. When I took up wetshaving, I never imagined that it was going to give me a chance to reconnect with a member of my family I never had the opportunity to meet in person...

Maynard

Austin · Post by **Austin** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:26 pm

Maynard, beautiful heirloom. I hope you have years of use with that wonderful razor and pass it on to your son.

rtaylor61 · Post by **rtaylor61** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 11:30 pm

What a beautiful piece of family history. You, sir, are a lucky man. Much like Todd did with his avatar, I would consider making the picture of your grandfather your avatar. A great way to honor his memory!

And yes, the razor does favor the HD.

Randy

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 11:31 pm

That is one nice ass razor. I love the handle. Have fun with it.

J

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:59 am

Great looking razor Maynard. Every time you put it next to your skin, you can think of your grandfather and how he was in the exact same position.

reginald-van-gleason · Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:21 am

Funken Groovin!

Great story and great razor, Maynard. I shave with my grandfather's razor as well, although its a Gillette Hefty Adjustable, so its not quite as elegant as the one you've got there. But it is a fine way to honor your ancestors, and in a strange way, you feel a bit "closer" to them by doing it. At some point I will "retire" it before it gets worn out.
Thanks for sharing.

RVG

Maynard · Post by **Maynard** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 1:28 pm

Thanks guys. I used the razor this morning and really liked it--it's a weighty, substantial razor. My shave was a bit complicated by the fact that a big smile kept popping up on my face...

Randy, I thought about using my grandfather's picture as my avatar, but I decided against it as it really wouldn't go with my very British handle... but I'm having the picture framed and plan to hang it in my house.

Maynard

Joe Lerch · Post by **Joe Lerch** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 3:13 pm

It's a beauty! I'm so happy you enjoyed it.

Take care of it and pass it on to your son!

I think you grandfather's picture would go fine with your handle. I notice he's riding English.

Joe Lerch · Post by **Joe Lerch** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:19 pm

I'm here Ren. Thanks for the tip. How did you find out about these sites?

tonyespo · Post by **tonyespo** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:24 pm

Maynard you should be so proud to have an heirloom that you can enjoy and pass on. I have my grandfathers ring. When I die my son will get it and hopefully when he has children he will have a son to leave it to. Best of luck with your razor.

Ren, you have so much knowlege to share. You don't post often but what you say is always valuable.

Thanks,

Maynard · Post by **Maynard** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:55 pm

Ren:

Thanks so much for the tips! I never knew there was a razor museum in Milan (where I grew up!), and I've been in via Montenapoleone a million times. I'll be sure to check it out the next time I'm in Milan. And thanks for the link to the website--my grandfather's razor looks identical to the first one on the list of Funken razors (different box, though). That one was manufactured in 1940, so that's about right. I had tried a search with Google but this site never came up--thanks a lot for bringing it to my attention.

Maynard

Gatorade · Post by **Gatorade** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 12:14 pm

tonyespo wrote:Maynard you should be so proud to have an heirloom that you can enjoy and pass on. I have my grandfathers ring. When I die my son will get it and hopefully when he has children he will have a son to leave it to. Best of luck with your razor.

Ren, you have so much knowlege to share. You don't post often but what you say is always valuable.

Thanks,

Just food for thought but I would give it before you die. That way you can see the reaction and give your son a chance to live with it for a while before he passes it down as well. You would get the enjoyment from seeing him enjoy it.