Just prior to the transition from 2022 to 2023 I got the opportunity to acquire a Swedish Swing closed comb safety razor. This razor has been on my watch and wanted list from very early on in my DE shaving journey when @Jack Goossen reached out to me and suggested I should really give this razor a try. Jack knows his stuff, so subsequently I set out to find a Swing, but they were either not available or beyond my initial price points. Jack was also very gracious and kind to gift me a Matador which kind of lessened the need for the Swing. And still the itch was scratched, so I was stoked when I got the opportunity to finally get one at a fair price from my local shaving shop.
The Swing has a bakelite handle and is - as far as I can tell - made out of solid brass (but I could easily believe that it is actually an all-stainless steel razor too) with either a nickel or chrome plating. I assume nickel by the way as this was the way back in the day I believe. I am not too familiar with bakelite in razors, so I have stored the handle away and use aftermarket handles instead. Not much is known about these razors, but searching the internet I found out that Swing razors where made between 1923 and 1952 and Swing not only made razors, but also razor blades (a few were supplied with the razor I bought). The store owner thought this particular razor was from 1923, but there is no way of telling as Swing does not have date codes like Gillette's carried. Together with the bakelite handle I am tempted to think the 1920s-1930s would be an accurate indication.
The blade gap on this razor is huge.
Without calipers I cannot tell with exact science, but an eye test next to my Timeless Ti95 makes me believe it is at least as wide as that. Blade exposure seems to be neutral, perhaps a tiny bit positive as I think I have blade feel when shaving. It shares its comfort with the Ti95 by the way, because even with these specs it is comfortable and smooth and very easy to use.
It can handle all modern DE blades - so no special fixtures or features. Alignment is rock solid and it clamps the blade very well. During shaving I get no audio feedback at all and there are times when I doubted if I really had loaded a blade or not. The shaving angle is slightly more than 30 degrees I think, but the Swing works at steeper angles as well - but less steep than my Tech for example because of the gap between blade and safety bar. Fully steep (riding the bar) I had the impression the razor was not shaving, but could be me.
One thing is for sure: do not let its comfort deceive you, because this is one effective and efficient razor. I shaved with it this morning with a fresher blade and I was at DFS/BBS-ish levels on my cheeks after the first pass already. I think only my R41 and Ti95 can achieve the same level of effectiveness, and maybe, just maybe, the Swing is even more effective than those two - I need further shaves in the books to really substantiate that conclusion. So at least this morning the Swing shaved with the comfort of a Tech and the effectiveness of a R41.
Finally I think it is a beauty to look at! I gave the razor some extra polish and buffing over the weekend, and while the scratching on the surface (which considering its age is no big surprise nor issue), I think the razor shines!
If you get the chance of spotting one of these and you want something other than a Gillette vintage razor, this one is definitely an addition to your den and collection.
The Swing has a bakelite handle and is - as far as I can tell - made out of solid brass (but I could easily believe that it is actually an all-stainless steel razor too) with either a nickel or chrome plating. I assume nickel by the way as this was the way back in the day I believe. I am not too familiar with bakelite in razors, so I have stored the handle away and use aftermarket handles instead. Not much is known about these razors, but searching the internet I found out that Swing razors where made between 1923 and 1952 and Swing not only made razors, but also razor blades (a few were supplied with the razor I bought). The store owner thought this particular razor was from 1923, but there is no way of telling as Swing does not have date codes like Gillette's carried. Together with the bakelite handle I am tempted to think the 1920s-1930s would be an accurate indication.
The blade gap on this razor is huge.
Without calipers I cannot tell with exact science, but an eye test next to my Timeless Ti95 makes me believe it is at least as wide as that. Blade exposure seems to be neutral, perhaps a tiny bit positive as I think I have blade feel when shaving. It shares its comfort with the Ti95 by the way, because even with these specs it is comfortable and smooth and very easy to use.
It can handle all modern DE blades - so no special fixtures or features. Alignment is rock solid and it clamps the blade very well. During shaving I get no audio feedback at all and there are times when I doubted if I really had loaded a blade or not. The shaving angle is slightly more than 30 degrees I think, but the Swing works at steeper angles as well - but less steep than my Tech for example because of the gap between blade and safety bar. Fully steep (riding the bar) I had the impression the razor was not shaving, but could be me.
One thing is for sure: do not let its comfort deceive you, because this is one effective and efficient razor. I shaved with it this morning with a fresher blade and I was at DFS/BBS-ish levels on my cheeks after the first pass already. I think only my R41 and Ti95 can achieve the same level of effectiveness, and maybe, just maybe, the Swing is even more effective than those two - I need further shaves in the books to really substantiate that conclusion. So at least this morning the Swing shaved with the comfort of a Tech and the effectiveness of a R41.
Finally I think it is a beauty to look at! I gave the razor some extra polish and buffing over the weekend, and while the scratching on the surface (which considering its age is no big surprise nor issue), I think the razor shines!
If you get the chance of spotting one of these and you want something other than a Gillette vintage razor, this one is definitely an addition to your den and collection.