Messygoon
Abandoned By Gypsies.
After finding almost nothing about the DIXI razor on B&B, or anywhere else for that matter, I decided to post.
DIXI is a vintage German razor. A brass version was purportedly used by German soldiers in WW1, and a zinc version in WW2. Dixi was also the marque of Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach A.G., manufacturer of German automobiles from 1904 to 1928, when it was purchased by BMW. Dixi’s Eisenach factory became the birthplace of BMW’s car manufacturing. Who knows, perhaps there is a connection between the DIXI razors, Dixi cars, and BMW.
I digress. Unlike so many other double edge safety razors that screw down the cap through the handle, the DIXI razor has a simple, more unique solution, the razor head is pushed forward with the handle sliding up against the guard. The head becomes disjointed from the handle after which the upper and lower blade plate can be separated and the blade replaced, as such there is no need for a solid handle, so DIXI has a flat open handle, which gives it its distinct appearance.
The DIXI pictured below came to me through a generous BST from a B&B friend in the Netherlands. I used it this morning for the first time, pairing it appropriately with Haslinger Shafmilch and a new Astra Superior Stainless blade. Knowing nothing of how DIXIs perform, no pressure was used. Just slow, careful, deft passes. Caution was rewarded with a very good, bloodless shave. My mind did drift. This razor has a story. Did it spend time in the trenches of Verdun or the Somme? I will never know. But there was joy in using a razor a century after it was produced, likely went to war, spent countless years set aside only to resurface amongst the B&B brotherhood, and could to this day deliver a fine result.
DIXI is a vintage German razor. A brass version was purportedly used by German soldiers in WW1, and a zinc version in WW2. Dixi was also the marque of Fahrzeugfabrik Eisenach A.G., manufacturer of German automobiles from 1904 to 1928, when it was purchased by BMW. Dixi’s Eisenach factory became the birthplace of BMW’s car manufacturing. Who knows, perhaps there is a connection between the DIXI razors, Dixi cars, and BMW.
I digress. Unlike so many other double edge safety razors that screw down the cap through the handle, the DIXI razor has a simple, more unique solution, the razor head is pushed forward with the handle sliding up against the guard. The head becomes disjointed from the handle after which the upper and lower blade plate can be separated and the blade replaced, as such there is no need for a solid handle, so DIXI has a flat open handle, which gives it its distinct appearance.
The DIXI pictured below came to me through a generous BST from a B&B friend in the Netherlands. I used it this morning for the first time, pairing it appropriately with Haslinger Shafmilch and a new Astra Superior Stainless blade. Knowing nothing of how DIXIs perform, no pressure was used. Just slow, careful, deft passes. Caution was rewarded with a very good, bloodless shave. My mind did drift. This razor has a story. Did it spend time in the trenches of Verdun or the Somme? I will never know. But there was joy in using a razor a century after it was produced, likely went to war, spent countless years set aside only to resurface amongst the B&B brotherhood, and could to this day deliver a fine result.
