An Old DE Razor gets soapy.

[FtVinnie]

Yesterday I was digging up some items for an Old Timer friend, and I came across this DE razor that my Dad brought home from WW2 . He found it in Italy and it had previously belonged to a German soldier.

The razor and box are that mottled brown Bakelite. Two piece handle nests for storage. It all fits in the small box. There are no maker's marks of any kind. I can only guess at its history and the travels it took in getting all the way to me, but I am proud to own it as the prior owners were better men than I.

I put her together this morning with an Astra blade and shaved with it. The razor is very aggressive and it is very lightweight, so I was careful. But the shave was very good. Only two tiny nicks, and those are always my fault.

Today my prayers are with all the men who have shaved with that razor - at least three. All the others are resting in Peace.

Steve

 

[celestino]

Excellent! That sure looks like a beauty!

 

[FtVinnie]

She is no beauty, that is certain. The razor is well made but is a simple cast plastic unit. I am sure that over-tightening the pieces would break it.
This is not like any I have seen pictured and identified as a military-issue shaving set for German, Italian, or US troops.

My suspicion is that a soldier brought it along, it was sent to him from home, or he bought in in theater. But, who knows?

I like it. It is a connection to my Dad and things he did in the war. And it works fine. What else is there?

Steve

 

[attime6]

It's pretty amazing, just imagine all the things that razor saw.

 

[NeverOne99]

Thanks for posting.

 

[FtVinnie]

attime6, I think a lot of what the razor saw was mud. Mud in everything. I've seen the pictures of the campaigns.

It is designed to handle very heavy or not-often shaved faces. More blade is exposed than in my adjustable Gillettes at their meanest settings.
Like shooting a black powder firearm or taking a tight golf shot - you had BETTER be watching out for the basics when this razor nears your chin.

I think I will use this one every time I am fortunate enough to go 4 or more days between shaves.

Thanks for reading my post, fellas. Putting the info out meant a lot to me. I am a sentimental old coot.

Steve