The J.R. Torrey Razor company manufactured straight razors from about 1850 to the end of World War I. It initially imported high-carbon steel razors from Sweden, but by the 1870s, Worcester, Massachusetts, where the company was based, had become a steel manufacturing center, and J.R. Torrey Razor was one of its most prominent firms using the locally produced steels to fabricate their wares from.
This blade was made in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
This Torrey is a shoulderless model with a blade that has a lot of extra work put into it, it must have been meant for the more discerning user, the lines flow beautifully, with the notch on the top of the spine on the toe being quite the 'abrupt termination', not what I would have 'finished off' with, but taste and styling choices are vast and varied, it is certainly a looker and a razor not to be scoffed at in the sleekness department.
The razor shaved comfortably, but I would improve it a tad more if it was mine. I'd start on my finest stone and only do a few swipes and give it a bash on a beautiful Sunday, the bevel is very fine and refined, so this razor has seen very little action on the slabs, and as a person that hones my own this is a razor I would have liked to hone myself if offered the chance, so we'll keep it as is to see if we get the right fish to bite on this one. If you want it, but are not keen to be the first to refine it, feel free to ask us to do the honours. The razor feels well refined in hand with a distinct vintage quality and craftmenship, the blade feels tight, centers nicely and the scales are sturdy and straight. The blade and scales can still be cleaned up on certain spots by someone with a sturdy hand and attention for detail, but we are happy to make it available as is at a better price, also, feeling a bit lazy today and loads of razors requiring harder work still sitting in a queue...
This razor weighs 37 grams and has a spine thickness of 4.4 mm, blade height of 16 mm, or around 1/2 that delivers a bevel angle of 16 degrees. The razor is shave ready and strops with easy strokes with decent feedback from the sealskin.
*Vintage razors are priced according to model and availability, time spent cleaning and reconditioning and time/level of honing. Please enquire if you need additional work done to this razor prior to purchase. All straight razors will require a stropping on a leather strop before every use. Pics are unedited (detail) and provide a true image of the condition of the razor.