New Life for a Rotbart Mond Extra

[Zeppelinkarte]

Received this razor from Bulgaria in amazingly good condition. There were no bent combs, cracks in the handle or any structural problems with a very rare razor. This particular model is the heavyweight Mond Extra weighing in at 72 grams. The more common Rotbart Mond Extra razors are 55 grams. They are much more common. The chief difference is a beefier handle and adjustment knob. The head is the same for the most part. Both are very nice open comb mild shaves. IMO one of the better razors with a geometry that is comfortable and efficient.

It was, however, very tarnished. As these are silver plated I thought the baking soda and hot water bath might take care of the tarnish. Almost. It went through two applications and was still not completely shinny. A treatment with silver polish and then buffing with a jewelers cloth finished the job. There is no brassing or weakening of the silver plate finish which on these razors was/is very durable. I think it looks pretty good for something made in the 1930s.

The razor defied all odds by making it to the United States without damage. The seller sent it in a bubble bag with no protection for the razor of any kind. It was in a sandwich bag but nothing to protect the combs from getting banged up. Thankfully that did not happen. And now the Rotbart is ready to provide another 70+ years of service if treated with respect and care. I am normally more interested in Merkur Progress, slants or Gillette Rockets but the shave is so good with these I sought out replacements after having sold my earlier razors. One of the best.

 

[Dools]

That is Beautiful!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[DrAwkward]

I want one!
it looks like a UK 7 o'clock

 

[nemo]

Very nice acquisition!

I used a similar, yet slightly later model safety bar Rotbart this very morning. The silver just gleams.

Pic from SOTD 31 August

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

Very nice acquisition!

I used a similar, yet slightly later model safety bar Rotbart this very morning. The silver just gleams.

Pic from SOTD 31 August

Doug,
That is a very nice razor, I mean really nice. Looks beefy and is the same idea with the 15 or whatever that model is. Thanks for showing it. Would like to try the SB Rotbart someday.

 

[targa88]

Gary,
Very nice score

 

[Copierguy]

Very nice all the way around. Some great looking razors gents.

 

[kcb5150]

Rotbarts are one of those razor brands that generally really benefit from a replate. So many of them are worn to an extreme that I have seen.

 

[mistercitizen]

Wow, love the knurling on the handles of those.

Ben

 

[ironfist]

Looks amazing man!

May it shave you well

 

[novitiate]

Stunning!

/want, get thee behind me RAD.....

 

[chongo gordo]

Fantastic looking razor.
It looks like a Short Comb New but with a heavier single-ring style configuration. Wow.

 

[ArNav]

Sweet razor.
How does it shave?

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

Sweet razor.
How does it shave?

So well I replaced one that I sold because I missed the quality of the shave. Smooth, efficient, easy on the face. IMO in terms of the shaves delivered by DE razors Gillette was not the only thing going on. While they produced a number of outstanding razors and their marketing was top notch, the companies in Solingen, Germany in the 1930s were producing the best shaving products in the world. They were experimenting with design, materials and plating and turning out quality products. Rotbart was a leader but one among many. Solingen (as a generic place for German razor manufacturers) knew how to build a razor that would last and provide a wonderful shave.

 

[golddie59]

Great lookinrazor ! Use it in good health !!

 

[Zeppelinkarte]

Of course, did not know it at the time but this razor probably provided the inspiration for the Gillette New open combs....and particularly the Raised Flat Bottom. Dr. Awkward has pretty much come to this conclusion and I would agree. Gillette acquired Rotbart as of the mid 1930's so the progression was direct. This razor shaves just like the RFB OC with a heavier handle. Think of the 77/88 at 20-30 grams heavier. This was the deluxe version of the Mond-Extra. Most of the time you see the lighter version. I have owned two of these and specifically sought out the second after selling the first to a B and B member looking for the Rotbart. Big mistake but luckily correctable.

 

[Deltaboy]

GREAT Finds.

 

[wazza]

I am not familiar with this or any of the razors by that brand. It looks really cool and hefty. Sounds like luck was on your side too, I dont understand why people dont just use a tiny box!

 

[douglas rome]

how did you find it? thanks, douglas

 

[nuclearblast]

Of course, did not know it at the time but this razor probably provided the inspiration for the Gillette New open combs....and particularly the Raised Flat Bottom. Dr. Awkward has pretty much come to this conclusion and I would agree. Gillette acquired Rotbart as of the mid 1930's so the progression was direct. This razor shaves just like the RFB OC with a heavier handle. Think of the 77/88 at 20-30 grams heavier. This was the deluxe version of the Mond-Extra. Most of the time you see the lighter version. I have owned two of these and specifically sought out the second after selling the first to a B and B member looking for the Rotbart. Big mistake but luckily correctable.

Roth-Büchner was acquired earlier than that, Mike thinks 1929. I guess the theory that these were inspiration for the UK RFBs is as good as any other at this point, and most likely we'll never know for sure, because when they released the NEW, Roth-Büchner was already a Gillette subsidiary, which was forced to abandon the manufacturing of their Old Type clones and 3 hole blades in favor of the new slot blades. That's when supposedly they came up with this design on their own, although we can't prove that.

As for this heavier version, it's very, very cool. I only have the lighter version with the thin handle, and while it's a nice shaver, I find it noticeably different from the #77/88, YMMV as always.