E.C. Simmons and Company, 1871 incorporated as Simmons Hardware Company in 1874—had been a jobber, which is a distribution company that buys large amounts of tools and hardware from manufacturers and sells them in smaller quantities to hardware stores and other retailers. By designing his own axe, the Keen Kutter to compete with the Lippincott, Simmons introduced the concept of jobber special brands. At first, Keen Kutter referred to a specific kind of axe, but in the 1880 Simmons catalog, the name had been applied to all of the company’s top-of-the-line cutting tools, including axes, hatchets, saws, scythes, adzes, bill hooks, shears, scissors, files, stones, razors, and knives. The success of Keen Kutter led Simmons to develop other brands, including Blue Brand, which was second in quality and price to Keen Kutter.

This razor is one of my absolute favorite razors of all time. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful but a wonderfully keen shaver very fitting of its name. 

The blade was restored removing rust from the shank around the pivot and tang.  The blade was then brought to a high mirror polish while leaving the etching on the blade face undisturbed and intact. This blade has a prominent barber's notch, thumb notch with jimping, is shoulderless with a decorative point detail and a long sweeping tang... almost monkey tail like. 

The original scales and wedge were used to complete this restoration.  They were carefully deep cleaned, sanded to remove blemishes and polished along with the brass pins that hold them together. 

Your Keen Kutter will arrive expertly honed, sterilized and shave ready. 

I'm sure you'll love the Keen Kutter just as much as I do. Happy shaving!