:help:
I recently bought an old safety razor at a car boot sale, it was made by Darwin Ltd of Sheffield and made of patent cobalt steel, probably in the 1920s or 30s. Does anyone remember this company and can you tell me anything about them; do they still exist? I would post pictures but it seems I cannot, perhaps I am too new a member?
Treedoc, (John).

Hi
it seem's they have been dissolved, last listing their account's on 30/4/06.
Dean

This site gives dates of c. 1928-53:

http://www.uniclectica.com/misc/manuf.html

Hi
it seem's they have been dissolved, last listing their account's on 30/4/06.
Dean

Thanks Dean,

Just missed them eh? Actually I found three different Darwin companies in an online trade directory dating back to the 1910s, could have been any of them but no further info forthcoming. What was the full name of your Darwins and are you sure you have the right one?

I see now that this forum doesn't allow direct posting of pics...my mistake.

John.

Hi Treedoc
not sure if i had the right Darwin's im afraid.
the one i mentioned was ;
Darwin's Engineering LTD, Fitzwilliam Work's, Tinsley.
there are lot's of antique razor's on e-bay, might be worth a look?
Dean

Here's an up-market Darwin razor/stropper kit:

http://stropper.com/stropper_website/stropper_view_details.php?id=134&shortname=Darwin&page=6&category=&select1=&select2=&select3=&select4=&select5=&select6=

Hi Hillsbro
i can remember when i first started shaving, my dad had one of those razor's that you put razor blade's in via a screw thread. im sure they were all wilkinson sword blade's?
and compared to today's disposables, they felt a lot sharper!!
Dean

Hi Dean - my dad also used Wilkinson Sword blades in his screw-type safety razor, and I think the Wilkinson firm were one of the larger blade manufacturers worldwide, with Gillette probably the biggest. Obviously Wilkinson blades were better, being made in Sheffield! I do seem to remember Darwin's razors as well, and old razors are indeed "collectable" and can be found on eBay. With a mole on my chin (which was often decapitated) eventually I bought a Philishave - not quite as close but safer...

Hi Treedoc
not sure if i had the right Darwin's im afraid.
the one i mentioned was ;
Darwin's Engineering LTD, Fitzwilliam Work's, Tinsley.
there are lot's of antique razor's on e-bay, might be worth a look?
Dean

It's a fair enough guess, another possible for me to research, thanks.
As to ebay, I'm a regular looker but an infrequent buyer, I just can't stretch to the prices vintage razors fetch, the more sought after ones anyway. Darwins are very rare on the 'bay there was one last week, or at least it was billed as a possible. I don't think it was one though, but in a Darwin box. I would post a link to pics of my razor but I can't until I've posted five posts, an anti-spam precaution and very wise.
Treedoc.

:help:
I recently bought an old safety razor at a car boot sale, it was made by Darwin Ltd of Sheffield and made of patent cobalt steel, probably in the 1920s or 30s. Does anyone remember this company and can you tell me anything about them; do they still exist? I would post pictures but it seems I cannot, perhaps I am too new a member?
Treedoc, (John).
My father worked at a Darwins in Sheffield (thats where he met my mother) and I believe it became Balfour Darwins and he then worked at the bottom of Greenland Road for many decades on tungsten carbide tools.

My father worked at a Darwins in Sheffield (thats where he met my mother) and I believe it became Balfour Darwins and he then worked at the bottom of Greenland Road for many decades on tungsten carbide tools.

Thanks for that Biker; do you reckon it is the right Darwins? Did they have anything to do with cobalt steel back in the 1920s and 30s?
The different Darwins I have unearthed are: Darwin & Milner, Commercial St., Darwin & Co.,Iron and Brass founders & Engineers., William Darwin, Scissor manufacturer, Snow Lane., Darwin Fitzwilliams, Tinsley.
Your reference to tungsten carbide tools could be promising; I'm sure you will know that cobalt steel is used in high speed tools also.
Treedoc.

One more post and I can post a link to picture of my Darwin razor.
Treedoc.

...And here it is: http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25177
Treedoc

Hi Treedoc
not sure if i had the right Darwin's im afraid.
the one i mentioned was ;
Darwin's Engineering LTD, Fitzwilliam Work's, Tinsley.
there are lot's of antique razor's on e-bay, might be worth a look?
Dean

I think I went in the reception area there in the late 1970,s .It was Attercliffe Common just past the M1 on the way to Rotherham on the left.They had a motorcycle there.It was a Neracar.A very unusual low motorcycle.They had some connection with its manufacture in about the 1930,s.Its name was derived from its American designer Neracher and because it was nearly a car.

Thanks for that Biker; do you reckon it is the right Darwins? Did they have anything to do with cobalt steel back in the 1920s and 30s?
The different Darwins I have unearthed are: Darwin & Milner, Commercial St., Darwin & Co.,Iron and Brass founders & Engineers., William Darwin, Scissor manufacturer, Snow Lane., Darwin Fitzwilliams, Tinsley.
Your reference to tungsten carbide tools could be promising; I'm sure you will know that cobalt steel is used in high speed tools also.
Treedoc.

My late father mentioned them being involved with Villiers engines magneto magnets in the 1930,s.It was always refered to as Darwins so I dont think it had a double name.He did mention a works at Manor Way,off Manor Lane Sheffield.He then worked at Balfour Darwins on Greenland Road hand grinding tungsten carbide tips for tools from the late 1930,s until he retired.

Treedoc -- Try writing to Dr. Joan Unwin, The Archavist, The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, The Cutlers Hall, Church Street, Sheffield S1 2HG. or telephone her on 2728456 (she only works there a couple of days per week). She has a wealth of information regarding things like this.

I think I went in the reception area there in the late 1970,s .It was Attercliffe Common just past the M1 on the way to Rotherham on the left.They had a motorcycle there.It was a Neracar.A very unusual low motorcycle.They had some connection with its manufacture in about the 1930,s.Its name was derived from its American designer Neracher and because it was nearly a car.

I'm familiar with the Neracar, I always thought it was a brilliant design, I'm an ex biker myself.

Lakerman; thank you for this address, I will get in touch with Dr Unwin.

From what I have seen so far, I think it must be the Darwin Fitzwilliam company because they made razor blade stroppers, seems a reasonable connection.

Treedoc

I have found out from a collector in Italy of all places about my razor:http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/dettaglio.asp?IdProd=3107
It is the Stainless steel deluxe model, made during the 1930s. One of the first stainless steel razors ever, Wilkinsons being the very first; another first for Sheffield!
Thanks to everybody who offered help with this.
Treedoc

My father worked at a Darwins in Sheffield (thats where he met my mother) and I believe it became Balfour Darwins and he then worked at the bottom of Greenland Road for many decades on tungsten carbide tools.

Yes, Darwins did become part of Balfour Darwins, merging withArthur Balfour & Co, Head Office in The Wicker - I used to work there myself. There was also a unit on Greenland Road.

Yes, Darwins did become part of Balfour Darwins, merging withArthur Balfour & Co, Head Office in The Wicker - I used to work there myself. There was also a unit on Greenland Road.
I used to be taken to the Christmas parties for kids in the Wicker.What is the original Darwins address please?

I used to be taken to the Christmas parties for kids in the Wicker.What is the original Darwins address please?

The original Darwins address I think was Fitzwilliam Works, Tinsley, Sheffield, but I'm not 100 percent sure. Obviously the Wicker works are no longer there now because of the redevelopment.

The original Darwins address I think was Fitzwilliam Works, Tinsley, Sheffield, but I'm not 100 percent sure. Obviously the Wicker works are no longer there now because of the redevelopment.

Thanks for the info.Was the Fitzwilliam Works on the Rotherham side of the M1 about 1/2 mile past the M1 on the left hand side on Attercliffe Common(I think its still called Attercliffe Common there)

Thanks for the info.Was the Fitzwilliam Works on the Rotherham side of the M1 about 1/2 mile past the M1 on the left hand side on Attercliffe Common(I think its still called Attercliffe Common there)

Yep, in fact I think Darwins is still there.

Yep, in fact I think Darwins is still there.

Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the info.

You're welcome.

I have seen Darwin razors for sale on the flea markets but not recently.

My wife's family used the Revitts used to make razors in Stannington yonks ago, they were called 'Titan Razors'

We have always wanted to buy one but have never seen one at all, only the adverts for them.

If anyone knows where I can get one I'd be obliged to know.


Happy Days

Pop T - Revitt's had a dairy farm in Rivelin - any relation?

Hillsbro

Yes they are and there are quite a few more in and around the area, but none of them making razors.


Happy Days!

I well remember Revitt's farm, and also their milk of which I drank quite a lot before I was old enough for something stronger. In 1969-70 I was a student nurse at the Northern General Hospital, and the Principal Nurse Tutor there was a member of the Revitt farming family. As far as I know, Laura Revitt is still going strong at 91 and lives on Moorbank Road.

Treedoc -- Try writing to Dr. Joan Unwin, The Archavist, The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, The Cutlers Hall, Church Street, Sheffield S1 2HG. or telephone her on 2728456 (she only works there a couple of days per week). She has a wealth of information regarding things like this.

Thanks for this Lakerman, I have been in touch with Dr Unwin and she was helpful to me, following her advice I was able to find a copy of the original patent application that the designer (P R Kuehnrich), made in America.
Treedoc.