Legacy Shave Items

[Chesty]

It is always nice to see the posts where someone has been able to use his/her parent's or grandparent's razor. I have my father's triple floating head Norelco electric razor that I still use periodically, if only for a sideburn trim. I can remember the Norelco ads that showed Santa Claus sliding on the snow with the floating heads adapting to the terrain. When I first started DE shaving, the best option that I had for a bowl was a Revere bowl that my mother won as the Catholic Daughter Bowling Champion in 1963. As one of eight children, I remember very clearly how much she looked forward to going out on Wed night at 7:30 for a night out and bowling with the girls. My morning shave is a nice time to remember her and reflect on my good fortune in having excellent parents.
I would be interested in shaving gear that others use that has a connection with their past. I am guessing that there are some interesting combinations out there.

 

[SuperChris]

Both of my grandfather's used a Gillette Slim razor, now I have and use both razors. I also have a stash of persona 74 blades and quite a few bottles and decanters of vintage Old Spice that were once my grandfather's. I haven't used any of the blades yet but I do dip into the Old Spice on occasion.

 

[Big Jim]

My grandfather had a Erskin U-50 pure badger shaving brush that eventually got passed down to me when I was about 15. My grandfather passed away before I was born and it had gone through my dad and my older brother before I got it. By then it was already past its prime. Recently, after getting involved with B&B, I reknotted it with a Whipped Dog 20 mm Silvertip. It is a very enjoyable brush. I have a son, grandsons, and nephews that have expressed interest in it someday. I think it is wonderful to have that connection.

 

[mr_houston]

After my Dad past, I had Mom check for old shaving gear. He'd been using an electric for a few years, but for most of his life he used a Gillette Slim. Dad was an engineer in every way. It made sense that he'd use and appreciate a Slim. Of course, he used canned Barbasol as well.

So, I started with his Slim. Don't use it often, but won't ever sell it.

 

[Bookworm]

Be sure to clean it thoroughly - hot water and Dawn.

 

[macduff67]

My favorite, go-to razor is Dad's Krona, which I vividly remember him using when I was a little boy.

Dad worked for a company that also owned a plastics factory, and everybody got a big load of plastic items every Christmas (tumblers, ice-cube trays, pill boxes, night lights, etc). I have repurposed a plastic sugar bowl of his as a lather bowl and an oval tray for displaying razors. Reminds me of film, "The Graduate," and the advice to Hoffman's character to go into plastics (there was a Slim Adjustable in that movie, so I might just have to buy one).

 

[NinthSphere]

My grandfather's Slim is what got me to try de razors, although my research into the subject led me to acquiring NEWs, which ended up being the first razors I actually used. I do use it on occasion, sometimes just pull it out to admire the design or play with it, but unfortunately I find its performance lacking. Like mr_houston, it's a keeper, if only for the family connection.

There's also the Ever-Ready boar that was my dad's. I turned it down back when I was using carts & canned goo because I didn't see the point. Went missing when I was gathering my initial de supplies & only turned up around a year later. Apparently he only used it once, if at all, before deciding he didn't like it, so it was like new.

 

[BigPete]

My brother has my father's straight razor and Super Speed, I have no idea what happened to his brush. I have a Franklin Toiletries mug from the mid 80s that used to be his. His Old Spice mug disappeared years ago. I still shave with Williams soap because that's what he used. I have been using it off and on since I was 14, I am 52 now. I will probably always use it (but not exclusively).

Edit: The straight razor was a war prize, my father's oldest brother liberated it from some Italian officers' quarters in Tunisia.

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

Here is a thread devoted to any and all such items:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/396818-Heirloom-Users-Club

I invite anyone who uses anything which has been handed down to join us. These threads in other places are great, but they disappear down the pages all too quickly....

Stan

 

[Chesty]

Thanks for pointing out the thread. There are a lot great stories there.