I have a thing for the unusual, so when I saw this, I had to have it. What you see in the first photo are the only markings on the razor, namely the “Xs” and “Os”, the numeral “3” and “Made in USA” embossed on the bottom of the plate, and also the numeral “3” embossed on the underside of the cap. Mine came attached to a ball end Tech handle, so I don’t have any idea what the original handle looks like. In a bit of searching, I haven’t been able to come with any ID on this one. I’ve never seen one, or anything like it, before.
What’s really fascinating about this razor is the design of the head. It incorporates what amounts to a permanent shim that is riveted to a narrow ridge along the center of the plate, thus creating a space between the blade edge and the safety bar. As the cap is tightened, this shim bends (along with the blade), creating tension against the cap as it draws down, and this tension is substantial over a range of blade curvature and gap. Thus in operation, this flexible shim functions as a built-in adjustment mechanism.
This photo shows the razor, loaded with a blade, in the “wide open” position. Believe it or not, the handle and cap at this point are plenty tight enough to use and, as you can see, the blade is virtually flat and the gap is prodigious, to say the least.
This photo shows the razor fully cranked down, imparting a pretty good curve to the blade, and showing a gap that, while still substantial, looks quite a bit more civilized.
I get it that this is same principle as loosening the handle on a three piece, which is often suggested as a way to increase aggressiveness (I believe that the instructions for at least some Gillette Old Types included this direction). However, I’ve usually found this to be a dicey proposition, as on most razors there doesn’t seem to be much room between full-tight and too loose to be stable. What’s unique about this specimen is the deliberate (and I think, ingenious) design feature that takes full advantage of this concept: the steel shim on this razor is much stiffer than a blade alone, so once engaged, it provides plenty of tension to keep everything snug over several turns of range. The result is a fairly wide—and continuous—useable range of blade curvature and gap. Yet another take on a better DE mousetrap.
I’d be grateful to hear from any members who might have some intelligence on this one, as I’m very curious about when and by whom this razor was produced.
I haven’t had a chance to shave with this one yet, but I plan to fire it up tomorrow. I think I’ll start with the “mildest” setting.
What’s really fascinating about this razor is the design of the head. It incorporates what amounts to a permanent shim that is riveted to a narrow ridge along the center of the plate, thus creating a space between the blade edge and the safety bar. As the cap is tightened, this shim bends (along with the blade), creating tension against the cap as it draws down, and this tension is substantial over a range of blade curvature and gap. Thus in operation, this flexible shim functions as a built-in adjustment mechanism.
This photo shows the razor, loaded with a blade, in the “wide open” position. Believe it or not, the handle and cap at this point are plenty tight enough to use and, as you can see, the blade is virtually flat and the gap is prodigious, to say the least.
This photo shows the razor fully cranked down, imparting a pretty good curve to the blade, and showing a gap that, while still substantial, looks quite a bit more civilized.
I get it that this is same principle as loosening the handle on a three piece, which is often suggested as a way to increase aggressiveness (I believe that the instructions for at least some Gillette Old Types included this direction). However, I’ve usually found this to be a dicey proposition, as on most razors there doesn’t seem to be much room between full-tight and too loose to be stable. What’s unique about this specimen is the deliberate (and I think, ingenious) design feature that takes full advantage of this concept: the steel shim on this razor is much stiffer than a blade alone, so once engaged, it provides plenty of tension to keep everything snug over several turns of range. The result is a fairly wide—and continuous—useable range of blade curvature and gap. Yet another take on a better DE mousetrap.
I’d be grateful to hear from any members who might have some intelligence on this one, as I’m very curious about when and by whom this razor was produced.
I haven’t had a chance to shave with this one yet, but I plan to fire it up tomorrow. I think I’ll start with the “mildest” setting.
Last edited:
