Vintage Hamon Razor & Strop Paste

Vintage Hamon Two-Part Abrasive and Strop Dressing Paste in Original Wrapping and Box

This is a very old item, probably pre-1900.  The Hamon company began in France in 1818 when Monsieur Hamon ("Pere Hamon") invented his Zeolithe paste (this is it!) which was dedicated to maintaining the fine edge of razors.  The company was based at 54 Rue de Clery in Paris and over the years it added more items to its range, offering at first just barbers supplies but branching out into other fields.  I think the company is still active today, but producing fine scissors, textiles, garments and so on.  The box measures 50mm x 30mm x 18mm.

This pack of two pastes consist of the No. 1 paste - Zeolithe, and the No. 2 paste: Preparation Hamon (not to be confused with Preparation-H on any account!).  The No. 1 paste is for obtaining a cutting edge, and the No. 2 paste is to maintain the suppleness of leather strops and to prevent razor-burn.  The writing on the package tells the user to pass the razor back and forth either 5 or 6 times (presumably referring to the Zeolithe paste) and that the paste is well suited for the fine cutting edges of razors or medical instruments, and that it is antiseptic.

Does it still work after all these years?  I don't know, I haven't tried it, but I see no reason why it should not, however I offer no guarantees of any sort.  Is it still antiseptic?  Again - I don't know and offer no guarantee - I am selling the item as a very collectable and scarce antique: if someone wants to use it that is up to them and if it works that is a bonus, which also explains the cost.  Fair enough, you can get sharpening pastes cheaper elsewhere, but you will not easily get one of these!

Pacakaged weight will be around 150gms