Ziryab Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I am new to this forum and I need some help! I am trying to research the manufacture of razors of the type which Moorish barbers would use in the year 950 in Al Andalus (now Spain). I am working on the assumption that such razors would look pretty much like a curved modern folding pocket knife. I kind of think they would be made of Toledo steel and would hold a very sharp edge. Am I on the right lines or am I hoplessly wrong? I have no expertise in knives or razors but would welcome any help any forum user could give me. Ziryab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 search for the " straight razor forum" lots of history,makers and people refurbishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 what a romantic sounding thread!! (maybe its just me...) i know nothing of what you want - just wanted to see what they were. are you doing historic barbering then??? wow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 950 is going to be rough getting pictures from; a bit later there are some illuminated medical texts that may have pictures in them (IIRC) You may need to find a friend in Spain to dig in the museums for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Straight razors have looked like straight razors for over 1000 years, more or less. The details have changed considerably, but the length and general construction has not. The blade width (older being narrower, under 5/8), and shape of the tail has changed, but I couldn't tell you how. Older blades would also be a rather flat grind instead of a hollow grind. Not an expert, but I have read quite a bit about straight razors in the last year. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyGeorge Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Edit your profile to include your location. It's always nice to be able to tell where folks on the site are from. Can't help on the straight razor question, though. Sorry. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziryab Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 what a romantic sounding thread!! (maybe its just me...) i know nothing of what you want - just wanted to see what they were. are you doing historic barbering then??? wow... A nice idea Beth but no, I am not doing historic barbering! I don't think I have a steady enough hand for that. I am a writer (based in London, UK) and I am writing an historical novel which features a barber from the middle ages and I need some expert knowledge of the tools of the trade at that time. Many thanks for the reply [and to all the others]. Ziryab PS I will try to find out how to edit my profile... as long as it doesn't mean cutting off my nose!Mod note: We added your stated location for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 ziryab - that sounds fascinating - let me know if you need a proof read or whatever its called:) - sounds like a very interesting setting im uk too, gloucestershire. ps - dont cut off your nose - its never worth it....... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/257617-how-old-is-that-straight-razor?highlight=old+straight+razors These are English razors, back to the 1700's Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziryab Posted November 17, 2011 Author Share Posted November 17, 2011 Many thanks for all the help so far. I am beginning to narrow down what I need. Ziryab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Furrer Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 There may be something in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford http://www.ashmolean.org/ I'd look also at the Tanavoli collection in its various representations in books. In 950AD Spain you would still have some holdover from its previous eras....Roman to Visigoth to Umayyad and the rise of the Jewish tolerance in the period (and then ending shortly after) you are talking about. Of course you know about Cordoba being one of the most prominent cities in that time with agriculture and general learning....I assume your barber is there yes? Due to the trade and ties with Moors and challenge to Abbasid Caliphate and such I would look at Toledo steel for proximity, but well as crucible steel which would have been available as well via production there or certainly trade. Ric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziryab Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 My man is actually from Toledo but finds himself by a circuitous route in Northern Europe. Thanks for all the help everyone. Ziryab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 My man is actually from Toledo but finds himself by a circuitous route in Northern Europe. Thanks for all the help everyone. Ziryab Toledo Ohio, Toledo Spain...Let us know when you publish. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziryab Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 Toledo Ohio, Toledo Spain...Let us know when you publish. Phil Sensible question Phil.... but I rather suspect that Toledo, Ohio, was called something else in the year 950! But I suspect also that you knew that before you asked! :D It's Toledo, Spain. Ziryab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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