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Benjamin Huntsman (1704 – 1776)
Even so, the positives far outweighed the negatives, as the precision and final finish left all alternatives far behind. If you had the means, you would simply let a professional handle your daily routine, thus laying the foundation for both a superior shave and the boom of the modern barbershop. From Sheffield, the know-how quickly spread to countries like France, Germany, and Sweden, each with their unique take on the straight razor.
He invented extra hard steel for edge tools, sometimes referred to as “Sheffield Silver Steel.” It had an unsurpassed finish and could maintain a thin, sharp edge, and it is still in use by some manufacturers today. The razors still demanded both skill and practice, but they also required maintenance. If stored improperly, their brittle and delicate edge was prone to oxidation; it required repeated stropping before use and periodic sharpening by a trained professional. The blade could, if sharpened at slightly the wrong angle, be rendered useless.
We have, for almost two decades, been honoring Benjamin Huntsman’s life, deeds, and legacy, as he perfectly personifies our values: entrepreneurship and innovation. This was set at a time when old-world etiquette and tradition met industrial efficiency, curiosity, and meritocracy, in a place where exciting ingredients, new influences, and cultures gathered from all corners of the world.
