Today I was at an antique store and saw a Berkeley Adjustable safety razor. The label said is was from the 1940s, but I couldn't find anything on the actual packaging that said for sure when it was from. However, it did have an original label/instructions, which looked quite retro, still attached to the razor along with the box and some blades in the handle. Does anybody know anything about this razor? I had never seen or heard of anything like it before. It was $38 and I really wrestled about getting it. In the end, I decided against it. The handle was huge and it seemed a little awkward. Now I'm wondering if I might have passed up a really good deal on a rare razor. I tried searching the forums here for any information on this razor and I also tried doing a google search for info on this razor. Nothing is coming up. Has anybody heard of this razor?
Anybody heard of a Berkeley Adjustable Razor?
- Thread starter Blue-EyedSon
- Start date
The "Berkely Custom Razor" was made by Consolidated Razor Blade Co. of Jersey City, NJ. The trademark was first used for razor blades in 1937.
The razor was a double edge model with a ribbed safety bar and a rather wide handle. It had a knob on the end of the handle to adjust the blade exposure.
There is a picture of the razor in the L-W price guide on page 100. The handle is quite unique looking.
If the razor was in good shape and especially if it had it's original box, yes, you may have passed up a rather good buy at $38.
Regards,
Tom
The razor was a double edge model with a ribbed safety bar and a rather wide handle. It had a knob on the end of the handle to adjust the blade exposure.
There is a picture of the razor in the L-W price guide on page 100. The handle is quite unique looking.
If the razor was in good shape and especially if it had it's original box, yes, you may have passed up a rather good buy at $38.
Regards,
Tom
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sounds interesting - anyone have pictures of this beast?
It is a bruiser, but from what I have heard, it is a good shaver! Someone post some pics, I have been sniped more than once for one 
- Thread starter
- #5
Sounds like I may have passed up a deal. If it is still there next time I go, maybe I'll pick it up.
I tried searching some more for photos of this razor to post here, but I could not find anything. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera with me. I'll do my best to describe it.
The handle was a brownish red hard plastic. It was maybe 1.25" wide by 4ish" long by about .5" deep. There was some tapering and shape to it, so it wasn't just a box, but that gives you a basic idea of the size. The razor head was silver in color made of some sort of metal and extended down into the handle. The plastic part was maybe about 3 inches and then the metal part that connected the razor head was about an inch. It had a nob at the bottom that you would twist to adjust the blade height and to open up the razor to insert a blade in the traditional 3 piece style. When the head was opened to accommodate a blade, the plastic and metal pieces of the handle would separate to accommodate storage of blades on the inside of the handle.
It really was incredibly unique, but I thought the handle might be a bit awkward to shave with, so I passed on the purchase. Oh well...maybe it'll still be there next time.
I tried searching some more for photos of this razor to post here, but I could not find anything. Unfortunately, I did not have a camera with me. I'll do my best to describe it.
The handle was a brownish red hard plastic. It was maybe 1.25" wide by 4ish" long by about .5" deep. There was some tapering and shape to it, so it wasn't just a box, but that gives you a basic idea of the size. The razor head was silver in color made of some sort of metal and extended down into the handle. The plastic part was maybe about 3 inches and then the metal part that connected the razor head was about an inch. It had a nob at the bottom that you would twist to adjust the blade height and to open up the razor to insert a blade in the traditional 3 piece style. When the head was opened to accommodate a blade, the plastic and metal pieces of the handle would separate to accommodate storage of blades on the inside of the handle.
It really was incredibly unique, but I thought the handle might be a bit awkward to shave with, so I passed on the purchase. Oh well...maybe it'll still be there next time.
Berkeley, January 5, 1937 Double-edge, Gillette-type Consolidated Razor Blade Co, 26 Cornelison Ave, Jersey City, N.J.
Berkeley,Custom Shaver, 1934 Double edge Consolidated Razor Blade Co., 26-36 Cornelison Ave., Jersey City, New Jersey
- Thread starter
- #7
Exactly! It is the top one that they had. The box and packaging are identical. Thanks for the pictures. I had never seen anything like this before and it was a bit hard to describe.
Very nice. I like the way the blades store in the handle.
R
rainman
Berkeley, January 5, 1937 Double-edge, Gillette-type Consolidated Razor Blade Co, 26 Cornelison Ave, Jersey City, N.J.
Berkeley,Custom Shaver, 1934 Double edge Consolidated Razor Blade Co., 26-36 Cornelison Ave., Jersey City, New Jersey
Thank you sir! I was watching this thread waiting for someone to post pictures. Damn that a unique looking razor. I'd try it.
I saw one on eBay a year or so ago.....I don't remember exactly what it went for, but it was definitely more than $38.
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