What to do with Vintage Razors?

[r8shell]

I was given some vintage razors, in need of repair, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them all. I'm thinking I'd like to keep one or two, and sell or gift the rest to a razor collector who would appreciate them.

I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward keeping these two. The Henkels, because I'm familiar with their knives, and the Roffler, because it's the smallest and might be most useful.

As many of you know, I'm always more interested in actually using old blades, rather than putting them in a display case.

The question is, how to use them? I like to use antiquated tools for their intended purpose, if possible.

I've tested out Ink Erasers:

And I did a pretty neat job with a Corn Knife:

So...should I attempt shaving with a straight razor? I'm confident enough that I can remove the rust and hone one of these. (some of you have read my sharpening tutorials in the past, so you know I can get a blade sharp)


There was some discussion a while back in the "Carl's Lounge" thread about men shaving with straight razors. While interesting, I will say that although I'm on the upper end of middle aged, I'm fortunate to have never grown facial hair. This led me to do some reading to find out how ladies in the 1800s shaved their legs. The answer is: they didn't. Not until the early 1900s, with the invention of the Gillette safety razor, which was marketed for home use. By a capitalistic coincidence, fashion houses and magazines were unveiling the new styles of sleeveless dresses and shorter skirts.

Even if women didn't traditionally use straight razors on their legs and armpits, I don't see why I shouldn't give it a try. How hard can it really be?


I'll strop this little Roffler razor and give it a try, and let y'all know how it goes.

 

[Jack Black]

Interesting thread Rachel, I have a few straight razors, and occasionally use one to shave my face with. There's actually a whole subforum dedicated to that sort of thing, and lots of shaving tutorials on YouTube. It really isn't that hard. My granddad still shaved that way well into his 60's, at least (I remember my dad and his brother buying the old feller a safety razor). I remember sending Charlie a razor with ivory scales with the idea he could re-use them for a knife, but now that kind of shipping risks a hefty prison sentence

I don't really collect straight razors, but I have a few, as well as some old safety razors. I like some of the etches. I'm afraid these pics are old and not very good, and I have a few others I've never photographed

This old Wade & Butcher with baleen scales was a gift from a forum member



Astral





Calton





Crown & Sword.





George Wostenholm.



This is a Dovo Black Star, which was a gift, and a contemporary razor

 

[Jack Black]

A few more...

Joseph Haywood.





Myers.






Puma.



Thomas Turner.





Meeson.



Don't think this one was marked...



About half of these came from an old local barbers, which had shut down decades before. They had been sent out to be honed, with the boxes still sealed.

 

[screened porch]

I have a few I inherited from my mother's father. I tried shaving with one once, and once was enough for me.
I knew a church organist whose brother's arm had been permanently paralyzed by a knife wound to the underarm. Brachial nerve? Look out for the brachial artery, too, while you're there.

I don't know where I got this one, or why it was lying on my dresser just now.

 

[Peregrin]

I was given some vintage razors, in need of repair, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them all. I'm thinking I'd like to keep one or two, and sell or gift the rest to a razor collector who would appreciate them.

I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward keeping these two. The Henkels, because I'm familiar with their knives, and the Roffler, because it's the smallest and might be most useful.

As many of you know, I'm always more interested in actually using old blades, rather than putting them in a display case.

The question is, how to use them? I like to use antiquated tools for their intended purpose, if possible.

I've tested out Ink Erasers:

And I did a pretty neat job with a Corn Knife:

So...should I attempt shaving with a straight razor? I'm confident enough that I can remove the rust and hone one of these. (some of you have read my sharpening tutorials in the past, so you know I can get a blade sharp)


There was some discussion a while back in the "Carl's Lounge" thread about men shaving with straight razors. While interesting, I will say that although I'm on the upper end of middle aged, I'm fortunate to have never grown facial hair. This led me to do some reading to find out how ladies in the 1800s shaved their legs. The answer is: they didn't. Not until the early 1900s, with the invention of the Gillette safety razor, which was marketed for home use. By a capitalistic coincidence, fashion houses and magazines were unveiling the new styles of sleeveless dresses and shorter skirts.

Even if women didn't traditionally use straight razors on their legs and armpits, I don't see why I shouldn't give it a try. How hard can it really be?


I'll strop this little Roffler razor and give it a try, and let y'all know how it goes.

Is this one of your famous April Fools jokes, r8shell ? If so, kudos! If not, carry on!

 

[Rookie82]

I was given some vintage razors, in need of repair, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them all. I'm thinking I'd like to keep one or two, and sell or gift the rest to a razor collector who would appreciate them.

I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward keeping these two. The Henkels, because I'm familiar with their knives, and the Roffler, because it's the smallest and might be most useful.

As many of you know, I'm always more interested in actually using old blades, rather than putting them in a display case.

The question is, how to use them? I like to use antiquated tools for their intended purpose, if possible.

I've tested out Ink Erasers:

And I did a pretty neat job with a Corn Knife:

So...should I attempt shaving with a straight razor? I'm confident enough that I can remove the rust and hone one of these. (some of you have read my sharpening tutorials in the past, so you know I can get a blade sharp)


There was some discussion a while back in the "Carl's Lounge" thread about men shaving with straight razors. While interesting, I will say that although I'm on the upper end of middle aged, I'm fortunate to have never grown facial hair. This led me to do some reading to find out how ladies in the 1800s shaved their legs. The answer is: they didn't. Not until the early 1900s, with the invention of the Gillette safety razor, which was marketed for home use. By a capitalistic coincidence, fashion houses and magazines were unveiling the new styles of sleeveless dresses and shorter skirts.

Even if women didn't traditionally use straight razors on their legs and armpits, I don't see why I shouldn't give it a try. How hard can it really be?


I'll strop this little Roffler razor and give it a try, and let y'all know how it goes.

I always wondered how to use an ink eraser properly. I see now I must have been doing it wrong, because your results are much more precise.

 

[RLB0414]

From one that uses straights, there are some hidden gems in that collection.

 

[Jack Black]

These razors, on display at one of the Sheffield museums, are about 3ft across

 

[afishhunter]

r8shell
1) PLEASE don't try to shave with one.
2) You will notice the exra thick spines on the blades. The spines determine the edge agle on a straight razor. Spine AND edge are put on the stone when sharpened.

I use mine as a patch knife for my muzzle loaders.
(Historical Note: Many Colonial's and almost all "Mountain Men" during the fur trade era used their razor as a patch knife. Have you ever seen a contemporary sketch or photo of a "mountain man" with a beard?
I sure haven't.)

I still need to get a ink eraser ... and maybe a blotter...

 

[danno50]

I've tested out Ink Erasers:

And I did a pretty neat job with a Corn Knife:

Nice collection of razors.
I like the ink eraser with Government of Canada on the blade. I have a Wostenholm whittler with the same. I have never been able to come up with any info as to when the government might have issued those?
I don't believe that the corn knife was meant for that purpose, or is that the April fool's part of the post? Or is the April fool's part the statement about using a straight razor on legs and armpits? Makes me shudder just thinking about it.

 

[brownshoe]

I was given some vintage razors, in need of repair, and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them all. I'm thinking I'd like to keep one or two, and sell or gift the rest to a razor collector who would appreciate them.

I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward keeping these two. The Henkels, because I'm familiar with their knives, and the Roffler, because it's the smallest and might be most useful.

As many of you know, I'm always more interested in actually using old blades, rather than putting them in a display case.

The question is, how to use them? I like to use antiquated tools for their intended purpose, if possible.

I've tested out Ink Erasers:

And I did a pretty neat job with a Corn Knife:

So...should I attempt shaving with a straight razor? I'm confident enough that I can remove the rust and hone one of these. (some of you have read my sharpening tutorials in the past, so you know I can get a blade sharp)


There was some discussion a while back in the "Carl's Lounge" thread about men shaving with straight razors. While interesting, I will say that although I'm on the upper end of middle aged, I'm fortunate to have never grown facial hair. This led me to do some reading to find out how ladies in the 1800s shaved their legs. The answer is: they didn't. Not until the early 1900s, with the invention of the Gillette safety razor, which was marketed for home use. By a capitalistic coincidence, fashion houses and magazines were unveiling the new styles of sleeveless dresses and shorter skirts.

Even if women didn't traditionally use straight razors on their legs and armpits, I don't see why I shouldn't give it a try. How hard can it really be?


I'll strop this little Roffler razor and give it a try, and let y'all know how it goes.

Great April Fools post. I particularly like the riff on the corn knife

 

[Peregrin]

I haven't seen r8shell again today. I hope she didn't hurt herself shaving her armpits with one of those antique razors of hers! I'm out the door for a bit. I'll try to reach out to her later and make sure she wasn't rushed to an emergency room!

 

[Modoc ED]

A young sailor fresh out of boot camp reported to our ship one day - his first morning aboard, he showed up in the head with his full shaving kit - shaving mug, shaving soap, shaving brush, and a Straight razor not good for a pitching, rolling ship at sea. He was promptly directed to the ship's store for a safety razor and blades.

Further, I don't think a straight razor would be a good idea for trimmig a bikini line or a speedo line.

Thanks for this April 1st post Rachel r8shell - thought provoking.

 

[waynorth]

Whether it is April Fool's or not, Rachel, we love you the way you are!! Please don't try to shave with those "unsafety" Razors!!!
The Corn knife pic is a cracker!!!

 

[5K Qs]

r8shell , I think you'll find shaving with those vintage straight razors is a slow process. I've really appreciated the time I save by using an electric straight razor I got from a former baseball player named Sidd Finch.
(Did any of your old razors arrive in a jar of shaving cream?)

- GT

 

[lambertiana]

Interesting use of a corn knife, certainly not like the design purpose of cutting corns (calluses) from skin.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I wont be sharing Corn with R8shell I get what you are doing there lol.

Nice Razors shared everyone - that can be yet another dangerous world to start collecting in $$

 

[r8shell]

Hey guys, who put Gary Peregrin up to calling an EMS welfare check on me?

I didn't say I was gonna shave my legs & pits today! After posting this morning, I scheduled a prophylactic tetanus booster shot, downloaded a copy of Gray's Anatomy, and then got busy in the kitchen cooking for tonight's Passover seder.

Aside from some embarrassment, all's well that ends well. The medics appreciated the homemade matzoh ball soup, and headed off to their next call.

 

[Jack Black]

A young sailor fresh out of boot camp reported to our ship one day - his first morning aboard, he showed up in the head with his full shaving kit - shaving mug, shaving soap, shaving brush, and a Straight razor

All captured on film Ed

 

[Peregrin]

Hey guys, who put Gary Peregrin up to calling an EMS welfare check on me?

I didn't say I was gonna shave my legs & pits today! After posting this morning, I scheduled a prophylactic tetanus booster shot, downloaded a copy of Gray's Anatomy, and then got busy in the kitchen cooking for tonight's Passover seder.

Aside from some embarrassment, all's well that ends well. The medics appreciated the homemade matzoh ball soup, and headed off to their next call.

I'm glad to hear you are OK! Have a wonderful evening! That matzoh ball soup sounds good!