Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. folding razor pocket knife

Object/Artifact

National Building Arts Center

Front of HPB folding razor knife

Front view of a small silver folding razor pocket knife with a marbled green case and gold lettering

Name/Title

Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. folding razor pocket knife

Description

Small silver folding razor pocket knife with a marbled green plastic case and gold lettering detailing the company name (Streator Brick Co. division of the Hydraulic-Press Brick Co.).

Use

Promotional object, used for the purpose of advertising the company, to commemorate an event, or to show appreciation to employees of the company.

Collection

Promotional object displays

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Gits Moulding Corporation

Time Period

20th Century

Place

City

Chicago

State/Province

Illinois

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Notes

The folding razor is marked a "GITS RAZOR-NIFE", which is attributed to the Gits Moulding Corp., a Chicago based entity, whose trademark began being used on products in 1947, but whose trademark expired in 1968. Thus, the folding razor can be dated to between 1947 and 1968.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Label

Location

Top of metal razor blade guard

Transcription

"GITS RAZOR-NIFE"

Language

English

Material/Technique

Inscribed

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Knife, Pocket

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Personal Assistive Objects

Nomenclature Class

Personal Gear

Nomenclature Category

Category 03: Personal Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

metal

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Measurements taken from the fully unfolded razor and case (not pictured)

Height

1 cm

Width

11 cm

Parts

Count

Parts

Razor and green case/cover

Materials

Material

Metal

Material Notes

The marbled green case/razor cover is likely made of plastic or Bakelite.

Color

Silver, Green

Condition

Overall Condition

Excellent

Date Examined

Jul 18, 2026

Examined By

Elena Marshall

Mechanism

The entire knife is in very good condition, and the hinge on the folding knife works very well, but the razor is slightly too long to fit fully in the green case (seen in the photos provided).

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Elena Marshall

Date

Jul 18, 2026

Web Links and URLs

Website detailing the trademark history of the Gits Moulding Corp.

Notes

(See Made/Created)

Create Date

July 18, 2026

Update Date

July 18, 2026