Rolls Razor Impression

[Chadtheguru]

In my (so far unproductive) search for a DE razor to begin wet shaving with, I ran across a Rolls Razor. The gentleman that brought it to me said his grandfather was a barber and that the Rolls was one of his tools of the trade.

Neither he nor I knew what it was or how it worked until after a few minutes of investigation. When we did finally figure out what it was an how it worked, we were both amazed. I know the Rolls isn't rare or particularly valuable but having never seen such, it was a beautiful device.

If I begin collecting this kind of stuff, should I expect to such moments of wonder?

 

[Stevestan]

You betcha!

 

[gregindallas]

They're interesting and worth collecting.

 

[BigFoot]

I came across one in an antique shop. The strop was dry rotted but the rest of it was in awesome shape. I still kick myself for not buying it as part of my collection. I have an Enders and an Autostrop, why not a rolls. The lady dropped her price to $12.00 and I still didn't buy it.

Scott

 

[rambus007]

In my (so far unproductive) search for a DE razor to begin wet shaving with, I ran across a Rolls Razor. The gentleman that brought it to me said his grandfather was a barber and that the Rolls was one of his tools of the trade.

Neither he nor I knew what it was or how it worked until after a few minutes of investigation. When we did finally figure out what it was an how it worked, we were both amazed. I know the Rolls isn't rare or particularly valuable but having never seen such, it was a beautiful device.

If I begin collecting this kind of stuff, should I expect to such moments of wonder?

Did you wind up buying the Rolls Razor? I have one of them and I love mine. It's a work of art and something that isn't nor probably will ever be made again. If you take care of the blade it should last you many many years. The money you would save of blades would cover the cost of acquisition after a year or two.

 

[BigFoot]

Did you wind up buying the Rolls Razor? I have one of them and I love mine. It's a work of art and something that isn't nor probably will ever be made again. If you take care of the blade it should last you many many years. The money you would save of blades would cover the cost of acquisition after a year or two.

Terry,

Can you replace the strop if bad. The one I saw it was dry rotted. I have heard others say the same thing.

Scott

 

[gregindallas]

A rolls strop is easily replacable with one from another Rolls. It is easy to remove from it's metal frame although they do sometimes become stuck to the frame. If the strop is not damaged physically, they can often be recovered with cleaning and a small amount of Neetsfooot oil. What appears to be rot may be dirt or old strop paste.

 

[rambus007]

Terry,

Can you replace the strop if bad. The one I saw it was dry rotted. I have heard others say the same thing.

Scott

Hi Scott. Yes I'm very certain you can replace the old leather strop of these. I haven't done so myself so far but as gregindallas described it's a 5 minute job.

A rolls strop is easily replacable with one from another Rolls. It is easy to remove from it's metal frame although they do sometimes become stuck to the frame. If the strop is not damaged physically, they can often be recovered with cleaning and a small amount of Neetsfooot oil. What appears to be rot may be dirt or old strop paste.

If you can't get an old rolls razor for a replacement strop then I'm sure you can cut one out of another piece of leather and slowly shape it to fit snuggly. However I'm not sure what kind of leather would be appropriate. I would imagine a good quality horsehide may work. Just make sure the thickness is the same as the old strop. I have the old red strop paste that was sold with the rolls razor. Mine is from 1952 and the strop paste looks like it's in equally good condition as the razor set itself.

 

[galopede]

Last year I was wandering around a local car boot sale and rummaging in a box of odds and sods I found a brand new set of Rolls replacement strop and hone. Managed to get them for £1 each from the seller!

I have three Rolls sets, all of which have reasonable condition hones and strops but one of them now has a brand new set!

They are very easy to change as someone says above. Not even the five minutes quoted.

I doubt anyone will be as lucky as I was finding the replacements but the Rolls is so cheap on ebay it's simple enough to get an extra one and mix and match the bits.

Gareth