Darwin Variations

[Cal1961]

Just took delivery a cased Darwin Standard. Case is two tone 'plastic'. I think someone on this forum has mentioned the two tone case. I have an uncased Standard and what is now called a Darwin Original. I just need a Deluxe.

Interesting the Standard I have just received has stamped on the handle 'Darwin Made in England' which is not on my first Darwin. It is a square stamp and very difficult to read.

Sorry cannot post pictures at the moment as travelling.

I would love to know why they all have these little differences.

 

[Copierguy]

Congrats, but please follow-up with photos when you get home....

 

[Intrigued]

My Darwin Standard also has a stamp on the handle, as can be seen in these pictures.




Cal, since you started this thread with such a nicely precise title, it would/could serve as thread to record all the Darwin variants we run across. And believe me, the more I see of them, the more variants I see.

 

[Cal1961]

Hi Connie that is the exact stamp that I have on my Darwin handle. As you say the more you see of them the more minor and major differences seem to come to light. As you say it would be nice to have a record of all variants in one place.

 

[Haiku]

The two toned, black and bue case is I think bakelite. My standard does not have a stamp.

 

[Intrigued]

Good! ..... Then I'll start with this picture from an ebay auction that I saved (I do not own this one).

While you would certainly call this one a Deluxe, note the top of the cap is flat. Also it has the word Darwin on each side of the cap instead of the Reg. No. on one side as is more common.

View attachment $Darwin from Ebay.jpg

 

[jamesspo]

It's tough to say really, why there are so many variants and differences. However, I think based on what is known about the Darwin company (a tool steel company), I think it's likely these razors were special items produced to promote the tool steels they were selling. There seems to be a real lack of advertising for the razors (although I have seen an ad for their DE blades). These razors may have been produced for salesman to give to potential or current customers as gifts..again in promoting the cobalt steel they are made from, rather than being an actual production razor. I've seen Connie's Darwins, and I think they have all the earmarks of a semi-custom razor built on a rough "recipe", probably on demand. The tool marks are different on each, and they appear to be at least partially hand worked. They don't look like typical factory production to me.

Just took delivery a cased Darwin Standard. Case is two tone 'plastic'. I think someone on this forum has mentioned the two tone case. I have an uncased Standard and what is now called a Darwin Original. I just need a Deluxe.

Interesting the Standard I have just received has stamped on the handle 'Darwin Made in England' which is not on my first Darwin. It is a square stamp and very difficult to read.

Sorry cannot post pictures at the moment as travelling.

I would love to know why they all have these little differences.

 

[Cal1961]

Shame I am travelling as there are some photos on a previous thread that show the 'original' that could be added plus I know Connie and Intrigued have some great photos of their Darwins.

 

[Cal1961]

AcebyTerror just picked up a deluxe and Alex seems to be a star in posting information on most razors but I know he contributed on the previous darwin photos.

 

[Haiku]

It's tough to say really, why there are so many variants and differences. However, I think based on what is known about the Darwin company (a tool steel company), I think it's likely these razors were special items produced to promote the tool steels they were selling. There seems to be a real lack of advertising for the razors (although I have seen an ad for their DE blades). These razors may have been produced for salesman to give to potential or current customers as gifts..again in promoting the cobalt steel they are made from, rather than being an actual production razor. I've seen Connie's Darwins, and I think they have all the earmarks of a semi-custom razor built on a rough "recipe", probably on demand. The tool marks are different on each, and they appear to be at least partially hand worked. They don't look like typical factory production to me.

I don't know the history, but one thing I would say is this: it does look to me like they did manufacture blades. I've acquired a carton of NOS Darwin blades, and they are as professionally wrapped as one could ever want. It could be that they thought of the blades as the core business and the razors as a promotional/add on, I don't know. Remember this as well; Darwin didn't just make the "Victorian" looking razors, they made a number of other razors as well, and those included a rather standard looking "Popular" a "Bijou" model marketed toward "Ladies" as well as a mustache razor and an SE that competed with Rolls. And so, it might be that the razor business was a "semi-custom" limited edition type of thing, and that wouldn't really surprise me, but there were differt types of Darwin razors and not just the "Victorian" models that we are all enamoured of.

 

[Intrigued]

Here is another Darwin variant that I saved pictures of from an ebay listing. This is a two piece version.

 

[Intrigued]

Next up (also from saved ebay pictures) is a Darwin Deluxe with what looks like a flat base plate, faceted handle end, and a more crudely done "Darwin" and "Reg No." on the cap. It also includes the words "Patent Cobalt Steel" on the cap.

 

[Cal1961]

I don't know the history, but one thing I would say is this: it does look to me like they did manufacture blades. I've acquired a carton of NOS Darwin blades, and they are as professionally wrapped as one could ever want. It could be that they thought of the blades as the core business and the razors as a promotional/add on, I don't know. Remember this as well; Darwin didn't just make the "Victorian" looking razors, they made a number of other razors as well, and those included a rather standard looking "Popular" a "Bijou" model marketed toward "Ladies" as well as a mustache razor and an SE that competed with Rolls. And so, it might be that the razor business was a "semi-custom" limited edition type of thing, and that wouldn't really surprise me, but there were differt types of Darwin razors and not just the "Victorian" models that we are all enamoured of.

+1 Absolutely agree. Did not buy a couple because they look so stereotyped razors. I was interested in the 'unusual' handled razors. Will post pictures when back from holidays but in previous threads you can see photos.

 

[barticus]

Wow. Excellent thread! Keep'em coming! I would love to get one.

 

[alex2363]

It's tough to say really, why there are so many variants and differences. However, I think based on what is known about the Darwin company (a tool steel company), I think it's likely these razors were special items produced to promote the tool steels they were selling. There seems to be a real lack of advertising for the razors (although I have seen an ad for their DE blades). These razors may have been produced for salesman to give to potential or current customers as gifts..again in promoting the cobalt steel they are made from, rather than being an actual production razor. I've seen Connie's Darwins, and I think they have all the earmarks of a semi-custom razor built on a rough "recipe", probably on demand. The tool marks are different on each, and they appear to be at least partially hand worked. They don't look like typical factory production to me.

This is a very valid theory, there dont seem to be no other possible explanation...it seems like this razor just came out of nowhere and in very few quantities. ( that makes it a rare collectible)

 

[alex2363]

I don't know the history, but one thing I would say is this: it does look to me like they did manufacture blades. I've acquired a carton of NOS Darwin blades, and they are as professionally wrapped as one could ever want. It could be that they thought of the blades as the core business and the razors as a promotional/add on, I don't know. Remember this as well; Darwin didn't just make the "Victorian" looking razors, they made a number of other razors as well, and those included a rather standard looking "Popular" a "Bijou" model marketed toward "Ladies" as well as a mustache razor and an SE that competed with Rolls. And so, it might be that the razor business was a "semi-custom" limited edition type of thing, and that wouldn't really surprise me, but there were differt types of Darwin razors and not just the "Victorian" models that we are all enamoured of.

Yes, there are many Darwin models but they did not seem to emphasize on razor making. It seems as James theory is valid even though it omitted the extensive models from Darwin.

 

[alex2363]

I dont like the way the screw sticks out, it seems to impede the shave for me.

 

[Intrigued]

I dont like the way the screw sticks out, it seems to impede the shave for me.

That picture is showing the Darwin Two Piece without the cap. If the screw didn't stick out you wouldn't be able to put the cap on to hold the blade.

This picture is the same razor with the cap in place.

 

[alex2363]

That picture is showing the Darwin Two Piece without the cap. If the screw didn't stick out you wouldn't be able to put the cap on to hold the blade.

This picture is the same razor with the cap in place.

I see, but the one i had the screw did stick out too much even with the cap.

 

[Intrigued]

I see, but the one i had the screw did stick out too much even with the cap.

Yes, I've seen some Darwins where the screw sticks out too far also.