Butler Razor

An image of a old school straight blade with a ivory handle. On the blade there is a quote and an image of William Shakespeare. In the background there is an open case with another razor blade. The case has an insert advertising for the razor company, Keen's. In the background there is the shaving brush and cup.
Razor and case in the Dressing Room

Country of Origin: England 
Year: c. 1870 
Materials: Carbon steel, ivory, and leather  

George Butler & Co’s Keen manufactured this razor. This set has is made of metal with an ivory handle and was likely used by the adult men of the family. On the blade there is a quote from Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor Lost and an image of Shakespeare inside the black case. The quote is said by Boyet to Rosaline in Act 5, scene 2, “…Keen as is this razors edge invisible.” The reference to the play indicates that the razor is sharp enough to cut even unseen hairs.  

Butler and Co. manufactured “straight” or “cut-throat” razors from the 1760s through the 1950s and were based out of Sheffield, England. This piece was handmade using carbon steel and ivory and has a “Dutch,” or rounded, point. 

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.