Historical information

This machine was used to sharpen men’s razors several decades ago and is thus a vintage item of historical interest. It belonged to a local Warrnambool man, Henry Cain.

Significance

This item has local provenance and it is retained for this reason. Also it is an interesting memento of times past when men used razors and razor blades and needed some sort of sharpening or stropping device to keep the razors sharp. Today men mostly use disposable razors or electric razors.

Physical description

This is a silver-coloured oval-shaped metal object with a hinged lid and a catch.Inside the machine are two rotating brown leather pieces which form the sharpening

aspect of the machine. A razor blade is inserted between the two rotating pieces.There is a turning handle on the outside of the machine and part of this folds back into

the inside of the machine when the lid is closed. The handle has a wooden end. The

machine is in a rectangular-shaped cardboard box. The base is white and the top is dark blue with an image of the machine on the top and the side and gold and white

printing. One section of the top of the box is missing. The name of the owner is printed in black ink on the inside of the machine.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Abziehappart fur Rasierklingen, Barba No. 740’
‘Stropping Machine, Barba No. 740, Made in Germany’
‘Afilador Barba No. 440’
‘H. Cain’