Antique Store Find

[motleybrews]

Went to an antique store today on a whim. Wasn't looking for anything in particular. Came across this...

As you can see in the 2nd pic, it is a Speedway. Haven't found a whole lot of information on the razor, but from what I have seen, it is probably mid 30s. If someone has a better idea, please let me know.

As you can see from the pictures, it was pretty rough, but I figured, for $12 even if it wasn't a usable razor, it'd still be a neat item to have in the collection.

 

[motleybrews]

I had some cleaner and polish at the house, so decided to clean it up and see what was under all that age.

It cleaned up very nicely, and is a really great looking razor. there are some finishing issues on the head, but other than that, its awesome for how old it is. i read that because the shaft is hollow, these razors, and the gillette model they are a knock off of, are likely to be cracked, but this one is not.

 

[motleybrews]

After it cleaned up so nice, I couldn't wait to shave with it.

I put a feather blade in it. Proraso soap mixed with derby menthol cream, witch hazel and pinaud classic as.

the shave was absolutely awesome. 3 pass shave, no nicks or weepers. 3 pass (wtg, xtg etn, atg) BBS. i did do a little cleanup. still trying to figure out the grain on my neck. First open comb shave. Very gentle, even with the feather. This razor will be a staple in my rotation. Not bad for $12!

 

[Landri]

Nice find!!!

 

[IronHammer]

Never seen a Speedway razor but I have a box of Speedway blades made in Indianapolis. It's quite possible that they did so well selling blades that they produced their own knockoff of the Gillette. Nice looking razor.

 

[alex2363]

Yours has a New/Common Bar Handle, the wrong handle on it. They are from my home state of New jersey (Bloomfield) . International Safety Razor Corp, and from North Action Massachusetts. They made these Speedway razors in 1924. Heres are few moreWhat do ya notice about 1 of them?

 

[michiganlover]

Hey dude, put on some socks before taking photos!!

Yours has a New/Common Bar Handle, the wrong handle on it.

Thanks for confirming, I thought the handle was a Gillette as well.

 

[motleybrews]

thanks for the info guys. i had my suspicions that the handle was different. in all my "research" on speedway, I hadn't come across a brass handle. its a great little shaver regardless.

 

[LiveOak]

How do you get the razor to float above your feet like that ?

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Sweet Haul, congrats!

 

[BladeDE40]

How do you get the razor to float above your feet like that ?

You mean you've never heard of the Gillette Zero G razor?

 

[santamariasteve]

The Speedway was a nondescript safety razor from the early 1930's. The handle on yours is from the Gillette NEW of the mid 1930's. I believe the orginal handle of the Speedway was hexagonal (not round) and the material resembled aluminum. There are better vintage razors out there, cosmeticallyl and otherwise, but if you like it, enjoy it. You've given a home to an "ugly duckling" who is over 75 years old. Even ugly ducklings deserve ownership and care. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[CGW409]

Pretty much a Frankenrazor but those NEW handles polish up real nice when down to the bare brass and copper and the real important part is it still gives a nice shave and that's what's important.

 

[motleybrews]

thanks for the info. so its a 1930s frankenrazor. thats neat! yea, its not a beauty by any stretch of the imagination, but it provides an excellent shave!