Roman Fire Starter or Razor

[Joe Sermarini]

This object came on consignment identifying it as a Roman fire starter. Surprisingly, this is the first fire starter I have handled. I expect it is genuine but I do not know the date or if it is a type attributed to any particular region. I don't recall seeing one like it in any of my references. Anyone know it? References? Thanks.

[Pekka K]

Similar item was discussed here: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=98567.msg608092#msg608092

Pekka K

[Lech Stępniewski]

Assuming that it is really a fire starter, how it was used?

[Joe Sermarini]

Along the long straight edge there was a slot in the bronze and a piece of iron was attached there, held by squeezing (hammering) the bronze to hold it. The iron would have been struck on a flint.

[Joe Sermarini]

The bronze is 4.1 mm thick where the iron would have been held. There are remnants of iron(?) in the slit. Do fire starters ever hold flint? 

[Joe Sermarini]

I am starting to favor the razor idea. The design seems suitable for shaving.

[Joe Sermarini]

I found an identical one online but not sure about the description...

http://razorland55.free.fr/firesteels.htm

"This is a fantastic Bronze Razor ( Firesteels ?) from seller leesleep (UK) , a beautiful design, still intact with the iron blade.  Dating to the 2nd Century AD.  Measuring 6cm in height."

[Lech Stępniewski]

Might be a razor. There are many variants of them.

[Joe Sermarini]

Anyone know a reference from a museum catalog, excavation report, academic paper, etc.?

[Jay GT4]

The portable antiquities scheme is usually pretty helpful

https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/q/razor

Some have the same basic shape but not the same design

[Joe Sermarini]

I tried the search but did not find any I thought were similar.

[Joe Sermarini]

I did not find a reference for it, but I have seen many similar online from prior sales. I hate doing it, but it is going in the shop without a reference. 

[Mayadigger]

Ave Joe,

This object came on consignment identifying it as a Roman fire starter. Surprisingly, this is the first fire starter I have handled. I expect it is genuine but I do not know the date or if it is a type attributed to any particular region. I don't recall seeing one like it in any of my references. Anyone know it? References? Thanks.

Yes, Joe, that is really surprising after all these years!

A typical Fire striker looks like this one as seen in the first photo.
Iron; 83mm/25.4gm The problem with dating such fire strikers is moot. It could be Roman or much later into the Medieval era, as they all look the same.

The next two photos are: Razor, Eagle-headed, c. 2nd-3rd Cent
Copper Alloy; 50mm x 56mm/31.0gm
As seen in the second photo, this has a split cleft at the bottom where the iron razor blade would have been affixed and clamped into place.

Best regards,

Kevin

[Joe Sermarini]

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?radd=1

[SC]

PS. Don't try shaving with it!

That said, you can buy modern versions of Roman razors on eBay, Etsy and sites like CelticWebMerchant.  The closest to yours is from an Australian vendor on eBay.  Sadly none of the sites have any reviews.....  I would love to hear if anyone has used such a device.

SC
 

[nikopolis1]

The eagle headed item of mr Mayadigger is definantly a razor.The semicircular blade is missing.The other item I can't say for sure what is it but I have found about 5-6 of them trough the years and all but one were stray finds far away from any signs of occupation mainly along a roman roads or river crossings .This would suggest a fire starter.I gues ancients were shaving themselfs while at home not while traveling :)And if you have notice this thing was hanging somewhere probably on a belt.Regarding the use if it is indeed fire starter you need flint and and a dry powder from one sort of mushroom.You strike the flint on the iron and from the spark the powder is catching fire very easily.I remember my grandfather was starting fire  like that when i was a child.But he was using an iron very similar to that one posted by mr Mayadigger.

[Mayadigger]

The eagle headed item of Mr Mayadigger is definitely a razor.The semicircular blade is missing. The other item I can't say for sure what is it but I have found about 5-6 of them trough the years and all but one were stray finds far away from any signs of occupation mainly along a roman roads or river crossings.This would suggest a fire starter. I guess ancients were shaving themselves while at home not while traveling And if you have notice this thing was hanging somewhere probably on a belt. Regarding the use if it is indeed fire starter you need flint and and a dry powder from one sort of mushroom.You strike the flint on the iron and from the spark the powder is catching fire very easily.I remember my grandfather was starting fire  like that when i was a child.But he was using an iron very similar to that one posted by Mr Mayadigger.

Ave!

From what little I know, ancient Romans did not shave themselves...no real mirrors like today, you know? In cities, every street had a barber or two, who would set up shop to shave their customers right on the street, not a shop. These street barbers were specialists who had the ability to put a very sharp edge on their razors. In wealthy homes, a slave did the shaving.

"And if you have notice this thing was hanging somewhere probably on a belt."

As seen in Lech's and Joe's examples, such razors were very small with a very sharp blade. What perplexes me are the loops. Would any of you actually suspend such a sharp instrument from your belt? Not I!

Best to all,

Kevin