Once the French Apollo company was purchase by a German company & moved to Germany, the design changed dramatically. (German engineering developed the BMWs and Mercedes Benzs. French are responsible for the Citroen and Peugeot.) Among other design improvements was making a razor that used standard DE blades. One flaw (ATMO) was using zamak (pot metal) as the base, instead of brass. And one other change was using the name "Ben Hur" for the export to France market. In other words, many of the same razors that were sold in Germany under the Apollo brand name were sold in the French market as Ben Hur razors. Including this beauty.
The little bullet shaped device contains an unused styptic pencil. The blades are obviously German made. And you can just make out the "Made in Germany" area stamped on the head liner of the case.
The case and presentation is one I've never seen before. The case seems like shagreen. Does anyone know if shagreen was ever dyed? It feels a little like leather, but isn't.
You can see "Ben Hur" embossed on the base plate.
And you can also see how the plating is uneven, even on an unused razor. Nonetheless, I love the heft and feel of the razor. And it shaves very effectively. Just requires taking the blade out between shaves, and drying off the razor after using.
So pristine. Must be from the late 1930s and must have remained in some French gentleman's drawer for the last 70+ years until it showed up on Ebay. Glad to have this classy set.
The little bullet shaped device contains an unused styptic pencil. The blades are obviously German made. And you can just make out the "Made in Germany" area stamped on the head liner of the case.
The case and presentation is one I've never seen before. The case seems like shagreen. Does anyone know if shagreen was ever dyed? It feels a little like leather, but isn't.
You can see "Ben Hur" embossed on the base plate.
And you can also see how the plating is uneven, even on an unused razor. Nonetheless, I love the heft and feel of the razor. And it shaves very effectively. Just requires taking the blade out between shaves, and drying off the razor after using.
So pristine. Must be from the late 1930s and must have remained in some French gentleman's drawer for the last 70+ years until it showed up on Ebay. Glad to have this classy set.