Single Edge Razor Acquisition Thread.

[Whiterook]

It

This is my first SE ever purchased. Just about an hour ago at a flea market. I know it is a Mongoose, but there is where my knowledge ends.
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Are these still made? Can anyone tell me what model this is? Where are they made?

Heck...what blades does this use? I'm just a DE guy and am really out to sea on this. The vendor was a guy I check out a couple times a year. He sold me a red tip Super Speed months ago for $5.

I almost don't want to say what I paid for this. Lest I end up being dismissed like Marco Polo and his outlandish tales.

It was $8.

I don't own one, but it looks like it may be a Mingoose model, which take injector blades. @Tanuki should know. The AC blades are wider than injectors, they run 50mm wide. The Mingoose was last sold by Maggards for $165, so you did well on the price. I don't think Mongoose is still making razors.

 

[AshleyC]

It

I don't own one, but it looks like it may be a Mingoose model, which take injector blades. @Tanuki should know. The AC blades are wider than injectors, they run 50mm wide. The Mingoose was last sold by Maggards for $165, so you did well on the price. I don't think Mongoose is still making razors.

I've done some looking since I posted. Looks like these take Artist Club style blades. A more expensive type of blade than what I'm used to, but if I can use one 5+ times before discard, it may be okay.

What is going to haunt me is the cased PAL Injectomatic, gold plated, and looking very much NOS. Why didn't I even ask a price? I've been wanting an injector in my collection.

 

[Tanuki]

This is my first SE ever purchased. Just about an hour ago at a flea market. I know it is a Mongoose, but there is where my knowledge ends.
View attachment 1837360
View attachment 1837363
View attachment 1837365
View attachment 1837366
Are these still made? Can anyone tell me what model this is? Where are they made?

Heck...what blades does this use? I'm just a DE guy and am really out to sea on this. The vendor was a guy I check out a couple times a year. He sold me a red tip Super Speed months ago for $5.

I almost don't want to say what I paid for this. Lest I end up being dismissed like Marco Polo and his outlandish tales.

It was $8.

OMG on the price! Absolutely a Mingoose. Not made any more. Awesome quality handle too, but heavy for my taste.

I recommend using the Japanese Schick Proline B blades (aka B-20 since they come in a 20 blade dispenser).

The regulation Schick injector blade has squared corners that engage the blade retention lugs. Those corners can bite!

The Proline Bs have friendly rounded corners. The rouned corners don't engage in Schick injectors correctly, but they are perfect for the Mingoose.

 

[Tanuki]

OK, I'm wrong on the head width. After double checking my Mingoose, yours is the AC format.

Oooh, go get that Injectomatic!

 

[AshleyC]

OMG on the price! Absolutely a Mingoose. Not made any more. Awesome quality handle too, but heavy for my taste.

I recommend using the Japanese Schick Proline B blades (aka B-20 since they come in a 20 blade dispenser).

The regulation Schick injector blade has squared corners that engage the blade retention lugs. Those corners can bite!

The Proline Bs have friendly rounded corners. The rouned corners don't engage in Schick injectors correctly, but they are perfect for the Mingoose.

So, a blade that would come in a Schick injector "magazine", but that I would need to disengage from the magazine and manually load into this 3-piece SE razor?

 

[Tanuki]

So, a blade that would come in a Schick injector "magazine", but that I would need to disengage from the magazine and manually load into this 3-piece SE razor?

The various Prolines come in magazines, but the magazines do not have the key (metal prong) that wedges open a Schick injector.

I dispense a blade and load it into my 3-piece Mingoose by hand, whatever style magazine.

If I want a Schick Proline B in a Schick injector I load it into a keyed injector magazine first.

 

[AshleyC]

View attachment 1837466The various Prolines come in magazines, but the magazines do not have the key (metal prong) that wedges open a Schick injector.

I dispense a blade and load it into my 3-piece Mingoose by hand, whatever style magazine.

If I want a Schick Proline B in a Schick injector I load it into a keyed injector magazine first.

I'll look into those Japanese Schick Prolines. I doubt the Mongoose is going to supplant my DEs entirely, but I can't tolerate the idea of having a razor, but no "ammunition" for it.

But honestly, all this talk reminds me of when I was 19 and someone tried to explain the feed and caring of an M60 machinegun to me.

 

[uptown]

Shield aluminum AC weighs only 22 grams.

 

[uptown]

EJ orange Mach3

 

[Anchovie666]

New little SE in the Den today. Loaded with a fresh GEM PTFE blade.

 

[Russ622]

Blackland Sabre polished with stand. I bought the last one in stock.

I have been eying this for weeks and finally pulled the trigger

 

[Anchovie666]

Blackland Sabre polished with stand. I bought the last one in stock.

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I have been eying this for weeks and finally pulled the trigger


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Just AMAZING

 

[AshleyC]

Last weekend I posted a Mongoose I got at at flea market for $8. He had a jumble of old shaving gear just piled into a display. I noticed a very nice PAL Injectomatic, cased, but didn't inquire about it. I guess I was too dumbfounded and in shock over the $8 Mongoose and wanted to get out of there before Alan Funt walked out and ruined the whole thing.

Today, I went back...

Mostly, I went back for this. I don't have any Injector type razors in my lineup, and only the Mongoose as my sole 3-piece SE. So in addition to having to buy some AC blades, why not complicate the supply chain further with some injectors too?

Original PAL blades in the magazine, but they are blue finished and probably carbon steel. Likely have edge oxidation, so I'll leave them alone.

I ended up getting 4 Injector type razors today for $50 total, or $12.50 a piece.

Standby for the others!

 

[AshleyC]

The second injector razor to catch my eye was part of this small grooming kit.

It is a Feather injector. And while nice, it lacks the "Don Draper/Madmen" elegance of the PAL.

Curious that a thing with items marked in English comes with instructions only in Japanese.

I have no idea what that grooming item is for. My guess is it is a "cuticle lifter" to get under the fingernail corners to prevent hang nails.

See in the upper left of the instructions? Where two blades are shown? I wonder if this supposed to be a two blade design? It only has one in it now. The guy DID have an injector from Gillette (!?) that had two blades in it like that. I passed on it.

 

[AshleyC]

And my last two for today...

Schick '500', stamped "M20".

Schick Adjustable.

Now I'll spend time looking at old threads about these. Because I know virtually nothing about them!

 

[Russ622]

The second injector razor to catch my eye was part of this small grooming kit.
View attachment 1840725
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It is a Feather injector. And while nice, it lacks the "Don Draper/Madmen" elegance of the PAL.
View attachment 1840727
View attachment 1840732
View attachment 1840729
View attachment 1840728
View attachment 1840731
Curious that a thing with items marked in English comes with instructions only in Japanese.
View attachment 1840730
I have no idea what that grooming item is for. My guess is it is a "cuticle lifter" to get under the fingernail corners to prevent hang nails.

See in the upper left of the instructions? Where two blades are shown? I wonder if this supposed to be a two blade design? It only has one in it now. The guy DID have an injector from Gillette (!?) that had two blades in it like that. I passed on it.

It is a ear cleaner

 

[Whiterook]

The second injector razor to catch my eye was part of this small grooming kit.
View attachment 1840725
View attachment 1840726
It is a Feather injector. And while nice, it lacks the "Don Draper/Madmen" elegance of the PAL.
View attachment 1840727
View attachment 1840732
View attachment 1840729
View attachment 1840728
View attachment 1840731
Curious that a thing with items marked in English comes with instructions only in Japanese.
View attachment 1840730
I have no idea what that grooming item is for. My guess is it is a "cuticle lifter" to get under the fingernail corners to prevent hang nails.

See in the upper left of the instructions? Where two blades are shown? I wonder if this supposed to be a two blade design? It only has one in it now. The guy DID have an injector from Gillette (!?) that had two blades in it like that. I passed on it.

These feather injectors are scarce here in the US and usually sell quite high. Those are injector twin blades that came with the razor. You can also use standard injector blades, like the Schick.
Well done you!

 

[AshleyC]

These feather injectors are scarce here in the US and usually sell quite high. Those are injector twin blades that came with the razor. You can also use standard injector blades, like the Schick.
Well done you!

Two blades stacked on top of each other, with the top blade set back a skosh seems to me like an invitation to frustration. No gap like even on an Atra? Seems like hair would quickly collect under the top blade edge and clog it to uselessness fairly quick.

I had to be honest with the vendor. He was an older guy, and a veteran. Found out we both use the Dayton and smaller local VA branches. He runs a pretty large antiques and curios area in a nearby flea market. I said he really should've posted that Mongoose online for sale, and that I didn't realize what I'd bought until later.

Yes, I told him that before I asked for the price on these four injectors.

He said he doesn't do the online thing and that all his shaving gear is stuff he bought from one guy as a lot. He uses a single DE at home for himself. So while I don't think he "lost" money compared to whatever he gave for it, he could've done much better.

 

[Whiterook]

Two blades stacked on top of each other, with the top blade set back a skosh seems to me like an invitation to frustration.

It's not quite like that as it's all built into one blade. You would be surprised how many people think the injector twin blades are the best. I don't find them any better than regular injector blades myself. But then I think all multi-blade systems are a marketing hoax. By the way, I grew up in Shelby.

 

[AshleyC]

It's not quite like that as it's all built into one blade. You would be surprised how many people think the injector twin blades are the best. I don't find them any better than regular injector blades myself. But then I think all multi-blade systems are a marketing hoax. By the way, I grew up in Shelby.

Haven't been to Shelby yet. But I want start doing a thing in Ohio that I used to do in Kansas on weekends. Just pick small town, drive there, and see what's up.