Rare and Popular

[Jake]

Here are a couple rarely seen and very fine British made for the French market Popular Gillette razors from the late 30s, early 40s. I wonder how the black was applied -- can you anodize brass? I would like to find a way to get it back to basic black, but the rhodium plated version is a real beauty. And they shave like a #15 but with more class -- or at least I like to think so...

The rhodium plated one is in excellent shape!

Another view.

And the bottom base plate looks like a $16, #15, Crat Jr.

The black one is very similar:

 

[bythbook]

those are beautiful - how are they mechanically? smooth opening or do they need a push on the butt to pop their tops?

...where do you find 'em?

 

[pauls51]

Very nice looking razors Jake..

Your collection never ceases to amaze me!

 

[GoldenBacon]

Those are very nice razors!

 

[Jake]

These razors are excellent mechanically. The TTO mechanism works a little differently from the #15, but they open big, wide, and smoothly. I'll try to get some pics of the opening process.

 

[beginish]

Spectacular, absolutely spectacular.

 

[demaro]

That is one awesome razor !! Beautiful !!

 

[Jake]

These are actually 2 different razors.

I got these from a fellow B&B member in a trade. Not sure where he obtained them but I think he traded for them also.

It is amazing to me also that razors in such pristine condition still exist. Some very fastidious former collectors. And now I have the responsibility to maintain their pristine condition.

Glad to share the photos...

 

[eyeguy]

Jake, I think the black one is suppposed to be black. IIRC, you could get them in Rhodium, Gold, & Black. I think they were the 46, 47, & 48. Gold is 46, Rhodium is 47, & Black is 48. At least I think that's what they are.

 

[Jake]

Yes, I agree. The black popular is meant to be black. Achim has the best examples. I'm still on the hunt.

 

[paules]

Jake

That rhodium plated is one of the most beautiful razors I have seen.

If you ever decide to sell...

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Very nice looking razors Jake..

Your collection never ceases to amaze me!

Awesome Jake as usual!

 

[eyeguy]

I thought about it some last night after it was too late to get back up & respond, & I was thinking that you could use a cold blue used for firearms to bring back the black on the handle. I'm not sure what was used to make it black years ago, but I'd bet it could be the same stuff. Might be worth a shot if you wanna bring it back.

 

[Merkur25]

Just outstanding

 

[Jake]

The suggestion from Jess (eyeguy) about using Cold Blue to restore the black on the black Popular is intriguing. Does anyone have any experience using Cold (or hot) Blue on a razor handle or elsewhere on a razor? I would be game for a test on a different razor, but the idea seems quite plausible.

Additionally, I wonder if anyone knows how the black was originally applied since like I said earlier, it is doubtful that you can anodize on this base material. Maybe it was a bluing process.

Suggestions welcomed.

 

[Deltaboy]

Great looking Razors!!

 

[eyeguy]

I just PM'd my thoughts to Jake about the blueing on the handle of the black popular & I'm thinking more & more that the black finish could be a tinted lacquer finish. I thought you guys might wanna know too.
I'm pretty sure the blueing process only works on steel by chemical reaction. I think the only way to tint or color a metal like rhodium is with a paint or lacquer. There are ways to do it now, but back in the day I don't think it was possible. I'm almost certain that the finish could be boiled off just like it can on gold.
I've been thinking of replating a toggle in gold & tinting it lightly in black, thus my great interest in all this.

 

[Copierguy]

Jake, as always....Thanks for the eye candy.

If you try to blacked that 48, test it up inside the TTO knob first.....

 

[melyus]

Unique Razors Jake,,
outstanding values.

 

[Jake]

Thanks for your comments Jess -- eyeguy. Any insights from your gunsmith about how the cold blue would affect the razor metal? You know it is doubtful that the handle/barrel of this razor is rhodium -- that plating is likely on the head, but the handle is simply black colored something (nickel?) over brass.

I have not had a chance to locate any cold blue to try myself, but if you discover the answers to how it would change this handle, I am eager to hear.