Swedish old blades?

[Verderer]

Found boxes of these in the local flea market while looking for razors (no luck in that regard). I don't suppose these are safe to be used anymore, but they are a curiosity item I guess? Haven't heard of these before, they seem to be from 50s or 60s maybe?

Does anyone know more about this brand?

 

[mmack66]

Very interesting.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

With them being a three-holed design, they probably predate the mid-1930's even...

 

[Verderer]

Oh yeah, I had not considered that. Good point, GM. The price is 1.50 in Swedish krones (or is it krona?), I wonder if that would help dating them? Any Swedish members around here?

I also wonder if that mr G is referring to Gillette? And the number 30, there are only 5 blades in a pack, so is that a reference to their year ie. 1930? Lots of questions, and no answers...

 

[Rufust445]

The shape and hole pattern of the blade goes back to the 1904-1920's era, though they may be from the 1930's. They won't fit a Gillette razor from the 1930's on, but they may fit some modern razors like Merkurs.

The "Rostfritt" term stamped on the blade is Swedish for "Rust Free." That's a term often applied in foreign languages for stainless steel, but these blades are not stainless steel. They may not have visible rust, but I doubt the edges are shaveworthy.

If you have a razor that the blade will fit, try a shave with it at your own risk.

 

[Verderer]

The blades fit perfectly in my new EJ DE87, and they seem pretty sharp when I tested them on paper. Dunno if I want to test them on myself...

 

[mmack66]

Just make sure you are current on your tetanus shots and shave away!

 

[Verderer]

Er, I am pretty sure my tetanus is out of date, and I am not gonna get stuck with a needle just so I can start cutting myself?!

I guess I need a ginny pig...

 

[Verderer]

Oh, another interesting detail, the inner wrapping has the text 'DIPLOMAT' and pictures of two tiny gents? Does that say anything to anyone?

 

[Verderer]

Sorry to bump this thread, I have been googling the web for mr G blades, but all I have come up with is two pictorial references to them. Both seem to indicate that they are indeed genuine Swedish blades from pre-1940 era.

Now, I thought that I would buy the lot of them, there were around 6 to 8 packs of 100 blades in the flea market, and they cost practically nothing. Even if I don't use them, there might be some interested collector of blades/etiquettes, who'd want to have a few?

 

[mullard]

I'll be your ginnie pig if you do not want to try them yourself. Mullard

 

[Verderer]

I'll be your ginnie pig if you do not want to try them yourself. Mullard

Sure, why not. PM me your details, and I will send you a pack or four?

 

[tsmba]

I'm of Swedish descent (family names Nilsson and Olson) and most of my relatives still live there. There are a few Swedes on this forum.

As to the blades, if they are sharp and not corroded, I would think they safe to shave with. Those old blades might be valuable as collectibles, though.

 

[mullard]

Verderer, I appreciate you letting me try these blades. I have tried my fair share of DE blades over my lifetime. I have to say that these blades were the dullest I have ever used. I tried to complete an entire shave with them, but they are just too dull. They are very interesting blades and seem to be of high quality. They even look sharp, but when you put them to your face they drag and have a very difficult time cutting the whiskers. When I first opened the package I had high hopes, but they simply are not sharp enough the be used. I appreciate using NOS blades too. I use the Wilkinson LBs, Schick Platnium Plus, Gillette super stainless spoilers, and Personna 74s. Sorry this analysis wasn't positive, but I am just telling you what I experienced. Below are some photos I took:

 

[mace]

I believe the name, Mr G is a not-so-loose referrence to V-Gurra or King Gustaf V of Sweden. 1858-1950.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustaf_V_of_Sweden

These blades were in produvtion well into the modern fit era.

M

 

[mace]

A recent score on Tradera, a Swedish subsidiary of ebay, enables a humble PIF of Mr G blades soon

M

 

[honed]

V-Gurra for the win

There was a huge amount of various Swedish razor blades produces.
Seems to be quite a few collectors of those too.
The rarer once command pretty high prices.

Tradera always has a good number of auction on old blades.
Not long a go there was a box of old blades made by Volvo for sale

I'm not surprised that they were very dull.
The edge has corroded over the years, it's inevitable.
Even if it's not visible to the naked eye, you face can surely feel it...