Joseph Allen was the son of a sickle maker born in Dronfield circa 1829, he eventually moved to Sheffield where he was trained as a razor smith around 1851, and acquired the NON-XLL trademark in 1853. Jospeh Allen and Sons became a limited company in the early 20th Century and was liquidated by 1933. There are conflicting theories on the purpose of the "Barber's Notch" design. Some say it was designed so that the barber could get to hard to reach places (nostrils, philtrum, or around the ears), others think it was so that he could place a finger there to stabilize the razor for careful neck work. Still others think it was just a design flair that gained popularity.
Blade: 11/16", Barber's Notch, stamped "Medium-Size Hollow Ground"
Tang Show Side: NON-XLL Joseph offers Allen & Sons Sheffield, England
Scales: Ivory-colored Celluloid
Product code: Joseph Allen and Sons N0N-XLL Barber's Notch Vintage Restored offers Shave Ready Straight Razor