Christy's razor

[Storer50]

did some antiquing today and came across an interesting razor. Searching the forums I have seen a couple threads mentioning Christys and how you can't get blades for them anymore. I didn't buy it today, price is $18. I was wondering if you thought this razor was worth the price. Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I also purchased my first Schick injector and a Rolls razor today.

 

[tsv]

The Christy company is still in business. I'd like to own one being it was made in Hamilton Ohio, and I'm from outside Dayton.

 

[Storer50]

Inside of the box says Fremont, OH

 

[tom myers]

The Christy razor was, in fact made in Fremont, OH. I have several Christy razors and my costs ranged from about $2.00 to a little under $10.00 plus shipping, so I would say that the $18.00 might be a little on the high side, but since you wouldn't be paying any shipping charges, it might be reasonable if the razor is in good condition and includes a blade or two.

There were some varients of the Christy, including the early "Chrisy Hoe" but the one you picture is of the more common style.

The Christy Company, still in Fremont, hasn't made razors for many decades. The only product they have made in recent years is their little sliding blade pocket knife which they have been making since 1936.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Schwert]

I had a friend send my one of these Christy razors with the Massage Bar today.

Blade with it looks new, and since it claims to "keep your face young" I think I may have to give it a go.

It looks like the blade could be stropped for reuse for a few goes at least.

 

[tom myers]

Ah yes, the "Massage Bar" . . . Interesting concept but, even though I have several unused blades, I really haven't tried to shave with any of my Christys, so I haven't been able to make any judgement on whether this extra bar ahead of the comb made any actual difference in the way it shaved. Some of the earlier Christys such as the "Christy Hoe" did have simply an open comb but most of the later Christys that I've seen are more like yours with the solid "massage bar" just ahead of the comb.

Regards,
Tom

 

[Schwert]

Thanks Tom. This one appears to be unused....it may stay that way too

How easy has it been to locate blades?

 

[tom myers]

Thanks Tom. This one appears to be unused....it may stay that way too

How easy has it been to locate blades?

Actually, I haven't found any blades by themselves. I collect safety razors in general and I'm something of a Christy fan and have, over the years bought several of them and some of them came with some blades. In that regard, I think I've just been lucky.

One of these days I'll have to try one of these razors with one of the NOS blades and see just how it really shaves. I guess one reason I have an interest in Christy is that I live rather close to Fremont and, at one time, there were several razor manufacturers in that town as well as other manufacturers of cutlery. I also have a Christy pocket knife which is the only thing that the company has made in recent years.

Regards,
Tom

 

[AsylumGuido]

Then there is this one I have, right, Tom?

 

[knlgskr]

I saw one in an antique store. Anyone interested?

 

[tom myers]

Yes Guido, I remember that razor but I have yet to find any information on it. Boy, that seems like an awful lot of handle!

I was in communication with Mrs. Donna Christy about a year ago and she referred me to a local museum in Fremont as the only repository of Christy and their Fremont competitors' history that she was aware of. The museum is actually at the Rutherford B. Hayes presidential center in Fremont.

One of these days I, hopefully, will get up there and try to dig out some information on their company and others and perhaps I'll find something on your Christy razor. The Hayes museum website confirms that there are several inches of file space on the subject, but it looks like the only way I can get any further with this research is to actually visit the museum.

Regards,
Tom

 

[HippieDave]

Hello to everyone. New member, just joined yesterday, Went out hunting today and found a Chirsty, Massage Bar, SE with one blade in it's original "Advertiser" box with instruction booklet. Printed on the inside of the lid is "This is a complimentary razor and not to be sold" so of course I had to pay for it. I read that some people wondered if the blades could be sharpened or stropped. The answer is "yes", the instruction booklet offers a Stropping Bar, 5 3/8 in. long for $0.25. As soon as I find a better camera I' post some Pics.

 

[kcb5150]

Can't you shoehorn an injector blade into one of those? If you own an allegro with the right cradle you can probably get old christy blades going easily. The allegro is no joke, it genuinely works.

 

[RetroCocktailer]

I just picked one of these Christy razors today as well, like yours in the box with instructions. Yes, I have read several threads about using an injector blade so I loaded one up and plan to give it a go tomorrow morning. The injector blade seems secure enough.

 

[HippieDave]

Thanks, the injector blade fits right in but can come out the front so maybe tape it to the saddle with a thin piece of tape. Only other thing I see is the injector blade sits closer to the massage/comb bar. I'm guessing this might make for a milder shave? Going to try it today.

 

[HippieDave]

Thanks, the injector blade fits right in but can come out the front so maybe tape it to the saddle with a thin piece of tape. Only other thing I see is the injector blade sits closer to the massage/comb bar. I'm guessing this might make for a milder shave? Going to try it today.

Tried the injector blade (with tape) but the blade felt loose as I shaved so only did right cheek, down, one pass. The injector blade is thinner than the Christy blade so maybe some tape on the under side of the shave head would tighten it up. I've only been wet shaving for about 2 months so I don't really know how well the (short) shave was but I feel it was something I could work with later on.
Being able to shave with razor would be really nice.
Good luck to anyone else who tries this