NOS Ever Ready 1914 with all 12 blades - use it or not?

[KingGordon]

I just had a 1914 Ever Ready delivered to me. It turns out that it is mint, unused in the box. It also included both blade cases and all 12 original Ever Ready blades which are really nice looking and pretty thick. One blade has been unwrapped and installed in the razor but seems to remain unused. Now I have a dilemma- do I shave with it or use it as a display piece?

I am thinking it's waited 100 years to be used, now is the time. What do you think?

 

[beisler]

I would say use it---AS you said I am thinking it's waited 100 years to be used, now is the time

 

[Mick]

I never by a razor if I even "think" that I might not use it.

I recently bought a NOS blister packed Schick injector as I wanted to use one and wanted it to be in good condition (can't get newer than unopened). It hurt to bust it out of the blister but I did as this was why I bought it.

So....

Use your 1914 if you bought it to use. If you bought it to look at, find a display case with a lock and lock it up so you won't be tempted to use it

I would suggest that you use modern blades, especially the PTFE coated stainless steel ASR/GEM blades

 

[KingGordon]

Thanks, I'm already using a GEM 1912 as my daily shaver and love it with the Gem SS blades. But have been curious about the 1914 and wanted to give it a shot.

 

[Mick]

Thanks, I'm already using a GEM 1912 as my daily shaver and love it with the Gem SS blades. But have been curious about the 1914 and wanted to give it a shot.

I just bought a 1914/24 model and am curious to try it when it arrives too

The 1914/24 is about the last of the ER/GEMS that I have not tried so will be at the post office box today after they sort the mail to pick it up

 

[razorx]

I just had a 1914 Ever Ready delivered to me. It turns out that it is mint, unused in the box. It also included both blade cases and all 12 original Ever Eeady blades which are really nice looking and pretty thick. One blade has been unwrapped and installed in the razor but seems to remain unused. Now I have a dilemma- do I shave with it or use it as a display piece?I am thinking it's waited 100 years to be used, now is the time. What do you think?

Most here will probably say use it,it's yours and you'll do what you want.The ER '14 is one of my 3 favorite razors of all time for it's looks and incredible performance.You're blessed to acquire one that's barely been touched.It would be easy and inexpensive to grab a user grade '14 for every day use and keep that incredible find exactly as it is.

 

[BigFoot]

I just had a 1914 Ever Ready delivered to me. It turns out that it is mint, unused in the box. It also included both blade cases and all 12 original Ever Eeady blades which are really nice looking and pretty thick. One blade has been unwrapped and installed in the razor but seems to remain unused. Now I have a dilemma- do I shave with it or use it as a display piece?

I am thinking it's waited 100 years to be used, now is the time. What do you think?

Without pictures we do not believe you.

 

[Galhatz]

NOS? I will take it at what you paid for it plus 20%,
not because I want one, heavens forbid,
I just want to help.

 

[tubeandplate]

Most here will probably say use it,it's yours and you'll do what you want.The ER '14 is one of my 3 favorite razors of all time for it's looks and incredible performance.You're blessed to acquire one that's barely been touched.It would be easy and inexpensive to grab a user grade '14 for every day use and keep that incredible find exactly as it is.

What are your other 2 in your top 3 favorites?


Just curious......


Chris

 

[HoosierTrooper]

That's a tough question. If it's NOS I'd probably leave it that way and pick up another one to use, but, Like Scott said, no pictures so it never happened.

 

[retturn2blades]

I agree with the "keep it pristine in the box" suggestions. The 1914 razors are around and user grades are cheap enough.

 

[razorx]

What are your other 2 in your top 3 favorites?


Just curious......


Chris

1914 Ever-Ready "Little Lather Catcher"
British made Ever-Ready Streamline
Gillette OLD manufactured 1920 and older with the serial numbers on baseplate

 

[tubeandplate]

Thanks, razox!

I like the old open comb Gillettes, too.


Is "little lather catcher" the name for ALL the 1914's, or just the travel handled one, or is there even a difference?


Thanks!

Chris

 

[razorx]

Thanks, razox!

I like the old open comb Gillettes, too.


Is "little lather catcher" the name for ALL the 1914's, or just the travel handled one, or is there even a difference?


Thanks!

Chris

I'm not sure Chris,but I think "Little Lather Catcher" is a nickname for all the 1914's
Here's some good information from Natchez "Richard" Owner Of Tradere Razors:

Ever-Ready 1914

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Manufacturer: American Safety Razor Company, New York

Dates in Production: c. 1914 to c. 1927

Type: Single edge, little "lather catcher"

Description: Plated metal head with metal handle

Notes of Interest: The Ever-Ready 1914 was a later design that retained a vestigial, but smaller lather catcher or hood. It is called the 1914 due to the patent date of March 24, 1914, US Patent No. 1091436. It also may be referred to as the "little lather catcher". Earlier versions of this model, c. 1914-1915 have "patent pending" imprinted on the bottom of the back of the head, while later versions have the patent date imprinted. It is a two-piece razor with the handle re-moveable from the head. The razor hinges at the rear of the head and closes with a metal leaf spring to hold the blade down. It has "lift here" imprinted on each side of the cap. This razor uses standard single-edge blades. It was replaced by the Ever-Ready 1924.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Ever-Ready_1914



Here's a few pictures of my "razorx's" 1914's

The hex handle Touring Deluxe with metal case was manufactured with triple nickel plating and larger hook type blade stops.

Earlier knurled round handle version:

 

[tubeandplate]

Marc-THANKS (for everything....)!


Those are BEAUTIFUL!


I'm glad to see you are a thrifty shopper and waited for the $3 Touring Deluxe to be marked down to $1 before you bought it!!!


Very savvy!





Chris

 

[rxonmymind]

That third photo is awesome! looks almost "see though" the way it's photographed.

 

[razorx]

That third photo is awesome! looks almost "see though" the way it's photographed.

Hey thanks ! Wasn't planned,got lucky....It was an iPhone pic shot on top of a placemat on the dining room table.

Hard to believe they once sold razors in cases like that for a dollar and these days Gillette Fusion blades are something like $4 a pop.

 

[Niles]

Definitely use it.

 

[Rodeodave]

If you know that it will get regular use and give additional joy to your routine, use it. Whom would you be keeping it for, some unknown stranger?
If you think that it wouldn't get regular use, leave it.

So if you're not sure, get a used one, try it, then decide. Just my take on the situation.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Hey thanks ! Wasn't planned,got lucky....It was an iPhone pic shot on top of a placemat on the dining room table.

Hard to believe they once sold razors in cases like that for a dollar and these days Gillette Fusion blades are something like $4 a pop.

Thing is, a dollar in 1925 is the equivalent of $13.22 in today's dollars, so nothing has really changed. Three dollars in 1925 is the equivalent of $39.65 today, so the original price of that set was quite expensive.