Antique Wolma Straight Razor and Original Coffin Case – Rare, Blade, Hollow Ground, Sheffield Steel, Cut Throat, Barber, Shaving, Vintage

This 'Wolma Special' straight razor was made in Sheffield, England sometime around the turn of the century (~1910). Sheffield steel is known for its high quality and durability.

The original coffin razor box—aptly named for it's close resemblance to a traditional burial coffin—is sturdy, handsome, and closes snugly considering it’s age. Coffin cases are a rarity to find on their own, let alone to find alongside its original companion.

The Wolma razor itself is stunning and still relatively sharp, although some light oxidation has been introduced to this blade with the passage of time. There is a rather minor nick on the blade edge, a commonality among pieces that are over 100 years old. However, since this razor features a traditional hollow-ground bevel, a professional cutler or bladesmith who is familiar with vintage razors would be able to hone the edge back to shave-ready condition with ease, should you choose to enlist their services.

Although some collectors frown at the idea of sharpening old knives or dusting and polishing antiques, we prefer to recognize that these everyday items didn’t originally exist in their current, aged state. Their now rusty, pitted, and dirty forms are tantamount to the fact that they once shined like new, often having been passed-down as heirlooms or hidden away and forgotten by people who didn’t care or know how to maintain them. These items had an everyday purpose, and were made to last long enough to suit that purpose; it’s that long-forgotten American business value that said: “My product is the only one of [these] you’ll ever need to buy.” We see far more value in restoring a piece so that it lives for another lifetime than we do in leaving the rust, dust, & oxidative grime to pile up and encourage their own decay.