German Apollo- a good looking razor

[Henrik]

I happened to stumble on very nice shaving kit and posted a thread prior to getting it some weeks ago. I have now received the kit and the razor. I thought it could be nice to share some pics (from my poor phone-sorry). It´s a Apollo and after been doing some research this apparently was put out in the early 30´s. Patent number: 1284320. Marked D.R.G.M (Deutsche Reichs Gebrauschs Müster). It´s not as famous as the Mikron that goes for big money. I think this one is pretty hard to get hold on though. At least when I did some extensive searching I found just one that belongs to a guy in a german forum. Anyway, in the 40`s Apollo put out a very similar razor but that one was very poorly plated. This one is of far better quality- likely because it´s pre WW2. Both came chrome plated by the way.

At first glance the blade gap looks terrifying but as a matter of fact it´s of no concern at all funnily enough. Never got a bite back. How does it shave? A bit rough but holding this beautiful razor in your hand you can not but smile through the whole shave. A most brilliant and effective shaver.






Scary gap huh..?

 

[Henrik]

A few more pics.



Solid..

 

[Azarius]

That is very nice, I am a big fan of any pre-war German items, razors or otherwise. I have seen this type of razor a few times on the bay over the last few months and I have always lost the bid. The head design intrigues me as it seems to be an open tooth, similar although different of the design in which we see on the R41.

Let us know how she shaves.

Congrats on such a nice find.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Wonderful looking razor there! Is the handle solid or hollow?
You might want to play around with some smooth blades like Reds or Personna Meds/Labs to tame it.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Awesome looking razor!

 

[Henrik]

That is very nice, I am a big fan of any pre-war German items, razors or otherwise. I have seen this type of razor a few times on the bay over the last few months and I have always lost the bid.

Now that is interesting. Could you possible know if it´s this version or the later one- which I firmly believe is not marked D.R.G.M. How much do they go for?

Wonderful looking razor there! Is the handle solid or hollow?
You might want to play around with some smooth blades like Reds or Personna Meds/Labs to tame it.

It´s hollow mate. But the head is pretty hefty as you can see- giving it a bit of "aggressive" feel to it. In a good way. Will play around with different blades. Have up to now only used Astras SP.

 

[Haiku]

Yours is a beautiful example of a beautiful razor. Congratulations.

I have one of these, but mine has very poor plating. This type of closed comb razor shaves really well. I find it to be a smooth, close shaver.

The handle is solid brass, the top plate is brass and the bottom plate on mine is zamac and since the plating is flaking off I rarely use the razor for fear of corrosion. It's on the list for a replate.

Interestingly, it seems to me that the most valuable razors over time are the closed combs: the Apollos, Eclipse Red Ring, Barbasol, the vintage slants and no doubt I'm missing a whole bunch.

 

[Haiku]

Yes, I did forget one: the Darwin. One of the most expensive and sought after razors. And again, a closed comb.

 

[Haiku]

Now that is interesting. Could you possible know if it´s this version or the later one- which I firmly believe is not marked D.R.G.M. How much do they go for?


It´s hollow mate. But the head is pretty hefty as you can see- giving it a bit of "aggressive" feel to it. In a good way. Will play around with different blades. Have up to now only used Astras SP.

That's interesting, my handle is solid from what I can tell, but I'll doublecheck. The bottom plate is zamac and so the head is really quite light compared to other razors.

 

[Henrik]

That's interesting, my handle is solid from what I can tell, but I'll doublecheck. The bottom plate is zamac and so the head is really quite light compared to other razors.

Hmm, I just assumed mine is hollow as the weight of the handle is rather light. What is the weight of your handle?? As you apparently have the 40´s Apollo any particular markings/patent numbers on your razor? Now I will google zamac- frankly I have never heard of the material.
Edit: Back home- have checked. My own Apollo handle sums up to 34 grams. Total weight 58g.

 

[Haiku]

Hmm, I just assumed mine is hollow as the weight of the handle is rather light. What is the weight of your handle?? As you apparently have the 40´s Apollo any particular markings/patent numbers on your razor? Now I will google zamac- frankly I have never heard of the material.
Edit: Back home- have checked. My own Apollo handle sums up to 34 grams. Total weight 58g.

I'm embarassed to have to admit this: my handle is hollow as well. I never thought to check as the handle seems so heavy, but it is hollow.

I'll have to figure out where I can weigh it as I don't have a scale. My handle is exactly like yours but the knob shape at the bottom has a straight "cut" pattern so that it looks like it's set up to be turned. Otherwise, my razor is identical to yours.

Zamac (or zamak) alloy of zinc, aluminum, manganese and copper. Many razor heads are made of this, Merkur makes theirs out of zamac. I understand that's it's easy to work with and can easily be plated because it already has copper in it. Regrettably, if the plating wears off it will corrode with water. That's the problem people have with Merkur razors and one of the reasons that so many like the old Gillette razors which were mostly all made of brass which was plated with nickel. And so the plating on these razors is not just for decoration, the plating is necessary to the "structure" of the razor. That's why I am very careful about my Apollo and want to get it replated, it's a great razor and I don't want to see it corrode.

I will have to make some time to upload a few pictures of mine, but don't have the time right now.

Mine is marked APOLLO on one end of the bottom plate and on the other end: D.R.G.M. 1284320.

Here is a picture of one that is not mine but you'll see what I mean by the bottom "knob". My handle has the same pattern as yours, but the "knob" shape at the very bottom is like the one pictured here:

 

[Henrik]

Confused now... When you got the time please load some pics. I was dead certain that the D.R.G.M mark was not used in the 40´s..

I'm embarassed to have to admit this: my handle is hollow as well. I never thought to check as the handle seems so heavy, but it is hollow.

I'll have to figure out where I can weigh it as I don't have a scale. My handle is exactly like yours but the knob shape at the bottom has a straight "cut" pattern so that it looks like it's set up to be turned. Otherwise, my razor is identical to yours.

Zamac (or zamak) alloy of zinc, aluminum, manganese and copper. Many razor heads are made of this, Merkur makes theirs out of zamac. I understand that's it's easy to work with and can easily be plated because it already has copper in it. Regrettably, if the plating wears off it will corrode with water. That's the problem people have with Merkur razors and one of the reasons that so many like the old Gillette razors which were mostly all made of brass which was plated with nickel. And so the plating on these razors is not just for decoration, the plating is necessary to the "structure" of the razor. That's why I am very careful about my Apollo and want to get it replated, it's a great razor and I don't want to see it corrode.

I will have to make some time to upload a few pictures of mine, but don't have the time right now.

Mine is marked APOLLO on one end of the bottom plate and on the other end: D.R.G.M. 1284320.

Here is a picture of one that is not mine but you'll see what I mean by the bottom "knob". My handle has the same pattern as yours, but the "knob" shape at the very bottom is like the one pictured here:

 

[Chester]

"A most brilliant and effective shaver."

I have one that's very similar (same head style), and I have to agree.
-- Chet

 

[Haiku]

My Apollo needs a replating in a bad way, but it's one of my favourite shavers.

 

[Henrik]

Confused now... When you got the time please load some pics. I was dead certain that the D.R.G.M mark was not used in the 40´s..

I found this explantion of the D.G.R.M marking a bit interesting. Apparently the D.R.G.M stamping MAY have been used it up until 1952.
And Haiku, go ahead and replate your beautiful razor. It´s well worth it as it appears to be looking healthy. You may have to look for some threads about replating zamac- apparently it´s a tricky material to work with- but it could be done of course!!

 

[Haiku]

I found this explantion of the D.G.R.M marking a bit interesting. Apparently the D.R.G.M stamping MAY have been used it up until 1952.
And Haiku, go ahead and replate your beautiful razor. It´s well worth it as it appears to be looking healthy. You may have to look for some threads about replating zamac- apparently it´s a tricky material to work with- but it could be done of course!!

I agree, it is a beautiful razor. It is very healthy, no loss of any materials, just the plating. And yes, I've been planning on having it replated for a while, and am looking forward to doing just that.

Not only is is a beautiful razor, it's a great shaver as well.