I got some Ajax blades (I estimate from the 1940's) with a classic razor. They were in a box in good shape and I figured I'd try one.
This image is the only one I could find on the net (from an eBay auction). My blades had the same graphics, but the wrapper was red.
I loaded my Weber Stainless, and used some reliable soap (from a local soapmaker) and my bestshave.net $2.45 horsehair brush -- stuff I use regularly and performs well for me.
Day 1 - Three pass shave yielded BBS on cheeks and pretty good on neck, no cuts or blood - but it felt *really* rough. In the current heat wave, I'm hooked on Osage Rub for aftershave, and it definitely told me I had had a rough ride.
Day 2 - I did the first pass, again nice results but again felt really rough. I said to myself "Self, life is too short". Ajax went to the blade bank and I finished with an Ikon open comb and a Rapira, a much more enjoyable experience.
Conclusion - when I finish the several hundred fine 7 O'clocks of different colors, Feathers, Rapiras, Astras, Sharks, Super Max, Sputniks, Derbies, etc. etc. I have on hand, and there's *nothing else left*, I might try these again. Also, after 40 years of double edge shaving, my technique is pretty good if I can get good results from such an unpleasant blade.
This image is the only one I could find on the net (from an eBay auction). My blades had the same graphics, but the wrapper was red.
I loaded my Weber Stainless, and used some reliable soap (from a local soapmaker) and my bestshave.net $2.45 horsehair brush -- stuff I use regularly and performs well for me.
Day 1 - Three pass shave yielded BBS on cheeks and pretty good on neck, no cuts or blood - but it felt *really* rough. In the current heat wave, I'm hooked on Osage Rub for aftershave, and it definitely told me I had had a rough ride.
Day 2 - I did the first pass, again nice results but again felt really rough. I said to myself "Self, life is too short". Ajax went to the blade bank and I finished with an Ikon open comb and a Rapira, a much more enjoyable experience.
Conclusion - when I finish the several hundred fine 7 O'clocks of different colors, Feathers, Rapiras, Astras, Sharks, Super Max, Sputniks, Derbies, etc. etc. I have on hand, and there's *nothing else left*, I might try these again. Also, after 40 years of double edge shaving, my technique is pretty good if I can get good results from such an unpleasant blade.
