I struck genuine gold this week...
Last weekend, out exploring local antique stores and flea markets, I saw what appeared to be a Merkur 34C clone. I took a look at it - CAD $30 - and thought to myself, nah. Happy as I am.
Next day I was pondering the 34C clone and decided to look it up on the interwebtubes. All I could remember was that it had the word 'Eclipse' written on the side, so I googled 'Eclipse Razor'. I was genuinely floored when the results came up and I took a closer look. Razor Emporium has one in stock, in original condition, and there are a couple here and there on eBay and Etsy. The prices the Eclipse is going for are... well; it surprised the hell out of me.
The curious can google as I did.
The store didn't open again until today, but the first opportunity I had, I drove back down and bought it. I'm now the owner of a British Eclipse Red Ring, in very, very good condition, for CAD $30. No cracks in the tube, magnet in the base, a small bit of grime, but its cleaned-up an absolute treat. This is, most likely, the rarest and most collectible razor I now have in my collection.
I used the Eclipse with a fifth use Perma-Sharp blade for today's shave. My first pass was with the razor slackened to its '3' position. There's a slight amount of blade feel, and it does feel like an open comb razor, but is much smoother. Efficiency is excellent; I'd compare it to a 7 on a Gillette Slim. I got good stubble removal on the first pass, and tightened the razor down fully for the second, XTG pass. Much smoother on its mildest setting, and I was surprised at how much difference a slight tightening of the mechanism made. I got a great shave on this pass, with a very smooth result on my neck, under my lip, and around my usual trouble zones. Touch-ups were a breeze, and no weepers or nicks. The alum feedback was about a 2.5 on a 5 scale: this is a deceptively efficient razor, and a bit more aggressive that it first feels. For me though, that's a good thing: I prefer a little more aggression over mildness as I prefer a two-pass shave, so want that stubble removal on the XTG pass.
I really, really enjoyed this shave. The Eclipse Red Ring is a little-known classic, and it rivals the vintage Gillettes in build quality, shave quality, ease and comfort. It brings something new to the table: innovative design, adjustability, easy loading, and different head style that, for me, makes it a true open/close comb design. I have a new favourite vintage razor, and that it is British, like me, and made in Yorkshire, like me, means it's obviously perfect in every single way. Of course, I still adore my vintage Gillettes, but the Eclipse is in my top three razors and I am so glad I stumbled on this very rare find. Fate smiled, and I'm smiling too.
Last weekend, out exploring local antique stores and flea markets, I saw what appeared to be a Merkur 34C clone. I took a look at it - CAD $30 - and thought to myself, nah. Happy as I am.
Next day I was pondering the 34C clone and decided to look it up on the interwebtubes. All I could remember was that it had the word 'Eclipse' written on the side, so I googled 'Eclipse Razor'. I was genuinely floored when the results came up and I took a closer look. Razor Emporium has one in stock, in original condition, and there are a couple here and there on eBay and Etsy. The prices the Eclipse is going for are... well; it surprised the hell out of me.
The curious can google as I did.
The store didn't open again until today, but the first opportunity I had, I drove back down and bought it. I'm now the owner of a British Eclipse Red Ring, in very, very good condition, for CAD $30. No cracks in the tube, magnet in the base, a small bit of grime, but its cleaned-up an absolute treat. This is, most likely, the rarest and most collectible razor I now have in my collection.
I used the Eclipse with a fifth use Perma-Sharp blade for today's shave. My first pass was with the razor slackened to its '3' position. There's a slight amount of blade feel, and it does feel like an open comb razor, but is much smoother. Efficiency is excellent; I'd compare it to a 7 on a Gillette Slim. I got good stubble removal on the first pass, and tightened the razor down fully for the second, XTG pass. Much smoother on its mildest setting, and I was surprised at how much difference a slight tightening of the mechanism made. I got a great shave on this pass, with a very smooth result on my neck, under my lip, and around my usual trouble zones. Touch-ups were a breeze, and no weepers or nicks. The alum feedback was about a 2.5 on a 5 scale: this is a deceptively efficient razor, and a bit more aggressive that it first feels. For me though, that's a good thing: I prefer a little more aggression over mildness as I prefer a two-pass shave, so want that stubble removal on the XTG pass.
I really, really enjoyed this shave. The Eclipse Red Ring is a little-known classic, and it rivals the vintage Gillettes in build quality, shave quality, ease and comfort. It brings something new to the table: innovative design, adjustability, easy loading, and different head style that, for me, makes it a true open/close comb design. I have a new favourite vintage razor, and that it is British, like me, and made in Yorkshire, like me, means it's obviously perfect in every single way. Of course, I still adore my vintage Gillettes, but the Eclipse is in my top three razors and I am so glad I stumbled on this very rare find. Fate smiled, and I'm smiling too.
)
