pre-1850s usually straight razors with extra short tails, called monkey tails,
Pretty sure those are "stub tails", monkey tails are long like that Tedalus and, most famously, the De Pew "Perfect Razor". Some French razors were even made with no tail at all.
Ha! Well, one so far. But I started with it and it was a good one so ya, it'd have made sense for me to pick up more. However at the time I was looking for variety and figured I had that box checked, just haven't circled back yet. Almost did pick up another now that I think of it but sat on it too long and someone snagged it. My first Imperial is so very patiently waiting in purgatory for scales. I like my Puma a lot but it's my only one. Hm. Ok maybe this is a pattern... Still no Shumate nor Waterville nor Ramapo though so if I was going to make a point of shopping for an American razor I'd probably lean that way. You may have been very wise specialising your collection... And nice score on that Imperial!
Welcome, good to see you here.
I like my Geneva, I think it has the Pyramid too though it's been a while. Yours looks to be in very nice shape. Thanks, now I know what I'm shaving with today. Was actually the first one I honed and it took an edge quite readily. Congrats on the find!
I bet they'd be fine, it seems like it was mainly the Dovo "best quality" that's the worst. And even then it'd usually be salvageable, just more challenging to hone and not really worth the premium you'd pay over vintage. And there are vintage "mustache razors" of various makes that are shorter, TI has a "Petit Francais" (actually, they might still...) and Double Duck has the "Dwarf" for example.
Or... have you ever considered a Japanese kamisori? They're shorter blades by default and an interesting change. Japanese western razors also tend to have some shorter models available with 2.5" being not uncommon.
But you might just use the opportunity to appreciate a razor that has fallen on hard times and been irreparably damaged toward the front---that bit can be cut off with a Dremel or similar leaving a "shorty" razor. And you don't have to do it yourself, they're common enough eg: https://www.ebay.com/itm/385718663015
If you do happen to be handy with power tools (or know someone who is) I do happen to have a really nice razor that I probably won't get around to modifying for a few years yet that I might be willing to part with: https://imgur.com/a/S10sa7W
You can't really see it but the blade is cracked about half an inch in, near that blemish. So at some point someone will have to cut that off (carefully so as not to overheat the metal and lose the temper). Until then I'll endeavour to keep it safe from rust as it's otherwise a pristine blade from the famous Erik Anton Berg (also famous for tools) and the scales are some of the most beautiful I've seen in person.