Awhile back I saw a Rolls Razor that my barber had in his collection of vintage stuff. I won one on the bay and added it to my collection. I have yet to try it and I'm wondering if any members here actually use a Rolls and if there are any helpful tips before I give it a go?
The Rolls Razor: Does Anyone Use it?
- Thread starter SteveWY
- Start date
Still use mine, off and on: short strokes
I love mine. Best advice I could give with a used rolls is to hone it without the case, and just use the case to touch up. Or send the blade to one of our honemeisters if you do not have the tools/skills/time to hone it like a straight razor without a handle.
There is an article in the WIKI about how to field strip a Rolls and make sure that you have grease where you want it and none where there is supposed to be friction. There is also a WIKI about how to use a Rolls and a ton of information available via search function and google.
Treat it just like a straight razor when you shave with it. If you want a more aggressive feel, angle the blade slightly and lead with one corner and it will act like a slant razor - BE CAREFUL! Also, most people seem to prefer a slightly thinner and slicker lather when using straights/Rolls vs using a DE.
There is an article in the WIKI about how to field strip a Rolls and make sure that you have grease where you want it and none where there is supposed to be friction. There is also a WIKI about how to use a Rolls and a ton of information available via search function and google.
Treat it just like a straight razor when you shave with it. If you want a more aggressive feel, angle the blade slightly and lead with one corner and it will act like a slant razor - BE CAREFUL! Also, most people seem to prefer a slightly thinner and slicker lather when using straights/Rolls vs using a DE.
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Hi Steve!
I've just joined this site and I have to tell you the I bought a Rolls Imperial about a year ago and I use it every day!
It takes a little more looking after than your usual disposable, but well worth the effort, it gives me a beautiful shaving experience. I remembered a guy when I was in the RAF in the fifties who had a Rolls and would have bought one then, but the pay while I was doing my National Service didn't allow it! Since then I had been using a conventional throw away blade, but I'm converted, no more buying blades just to throw away!
Take the plunge and use your Rolls, you'll never look back.
You can find detailed instructions about the care of the razor on the web.
Good luck with your future shaves!
I've just joined this site and I have to tell you the I bought a Rolls Imperial about a year ago and I use it every day!
It takes a little more looking after than your usual disposable, but well worth the effort, it gives me a beautiful shaving experience. I remembered a guy when I was in the RAF in the fifties who had a Rolls and would have bought one then, but the pay while I was doing my National Service didn't allow it! Since then I had been using a conventional throw away blade, but I'm converted, no more buying blades just to throw away!
Take the plunge and use your Rolls, you'll never look back.
You can find detailed instructions about the care of the razor on the web.
Good luck with your future shaves!
I have two of them, one that has never been used, and another that I think was unused until I got it. I have never been able to get them as sharp as I wanted. I haven't tried honing outside of the case, but the built in hone and strop would not get it as sharp as I wanted. I'm spoiled, since I use Feather and S.I. DE blades.
Here's an ad I recently posted from 1941:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/334399-Rolls-Razor-1941
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/334399-Rolls-Razor-1941
I had wondered the same thing about the Rolls Razors. While all my local antique stores are cleaned out of DE razors they all have at least a couple Rolls, those things are everywhere lol. I really think most people just don't know what to do with them so don't buy them. I wouldn't know how to use it if one store owner didn't have a brand new one that had the instructions still inside.
I have 2, not used yet.
I'll be using mine one day that I'm sure of. Just have to send it off to get honed. Straight shaving on a stick. Can't beat that.
Let me add that even though my Rolls (3) do not feel as smooth during the shave as a DE blade, I can get BBS with no irritation. Just go gently.
I have several sets, and I use them frequently. The shave is closer to that of a straight than a DE razor, and I get good results using skin stretching and other straight shaving techniques when using the Rolls.
One thing: the blade is unlikely to be shave-ready, and the included hone is not really up to the task of honing the edge.
One thing: the blade is unlikely to be shave-ready, and the included hone is not really up to the task of honing the edge.
My shave this afternoon was to be with the Rolls Razor. This was a Viscount that I purchased on eBay a couple of years ago. I worked on honing the blade off and on for a couple of months before giving up on it. The shaves I had with it were just not that good. Seeing it sitting in my den and not getting used brought me to trying to get the blade shave ready again.
So a few days ago I pulled it out and honed the blade and worked some additional Neatsfoot oil into the strop. My intention was to send the blade out to have it honed if I were unsuccessful. There will be no need for it as I have apparently hit on the proper magic. ( if only I knew what it were)
The shave -
Knowing I needed to be prepped good with this razor I applied a hot towel to my face for a few minutes, rewetting when the heat dissipated. Then applied a few drops of Shave Secret and worked it in. My freebie vintage nylon synthetic brush that I re-handled was already soaked and I quickly lathered a little of Mike's Lime to apply while I worked on a proper lather. It didn't take but a few swirls on the puck to get a good face lather ready for the moment of truth. I started on my cheeks and the blade sliced cleanly with no tugging. I was excited! Getting to my chin there was a small amount of tug but not bad at all. Keeping the strokes short and reapplying a very wet lather I did four passes. One WTG and three XTG, except for my neck which for the last pass is always ATG. My XTG passes are very close to ATG but not quite full. ATG causes too much irritation regardless of blade. By the third pass I could tell this would be a great shave. A cold water rinse, witch hazel splash and a little Pinaud and I was done. Total BBS everywhere. I doubted it was possible with this razor. What surprised me more was zero burn when the Clubman went on.
This shave today was unequivocally the best of any since I started wet shaving and I had a lot of BBS shaves. I am now in love with a razor that is quirky but very effective.
My SWMBO commented on how long it took me to shave (I was a little more careful and added a pass) and at the softness of my face and couldn't stop touching it. Well I can't either!
All of that said, don't give up on this razor if you have one. They are excellently effective.
So a few days ago I pulled it out and honed the blade and worked some additional Neatsfoot oil into the strop. My intention was to send the blade out to have it honed if I were unsuccessful. There will be no need for it as I have apparently hit on the proper magic. ( if only I knew what it were)
The shave -
Knowing I needed to be prepped good with this razor I applied a hot towel to my face for a few minutes, rewetting when the heat dissipated. Then applied a few drops of Shave Secret and worked it in. My freebie vintage nylon synthetic brush that I re-handled was already soaked and I quickly lathered a little of Mike's Lime to apply while I worked on a proper lather. It didn't take but a few swirls on the puck to get a good face lather ready for the moment of truth. I started on my cheeks and the blade sliced cleanly with no tugging. I was excited! Getting to my chin there was a small amount of tug but not bad at all. Keeping the strokes short and reapplying a very wet lather I did four passes. One WTG and three XTG, except for my neck which for the last pass is always ATG. My XTG passes are very close to ATG but not quite full. ATG causes too much irritation regardless of blade. By the third pass I could tell this would be a great shave. A cold water rinse, witch hazel splash and a little Pinaud and I was done. Total BBS everywhere. I doubted it was possible with this razor. What surprised me more was zero burn when the Clubman went on.
This shave today was unequivocally the best of any since I started wet shaving and I had a lot of BBS shaves. I am now in love with a razor that is quirky but very effective.
My SWMBO commented on how long it took me to shave (I was a little more careful and added a pass) and at the softness of my face and couldn't stop touching it. Well I can't either!
All of that said, don't give up on this razor if you have one. They are excellently effective.
I have two Rolls, but stick to the straight - the Rolls is a beautiful piece of industrial design - marveled at it long before I realized it was a unusable razor.
I'd be happy to trade one if someone is looking to give a Rolls a try.
I'd be happy to trade one if someone is looking to give a Rolls a try.
my father had one, it was given to him by his own father.
i wanted to have it but no one could find the thing.
i thought it was extremely rare, but i saw some on ebay for 30$, well its still a family heirloom.
i wanted to have it but no one could find the thing.
i thought it was extremely rare, but i saw some on ebay for 30$, well its still a family heirloom.
I had my third shave in a row today with the Rolls... I kinda like it, shaves like a regular carbon SE blade for me. Its not as smooth or as close as a Gem stainless coated SE blade but I only did a touch up on the hone and strop after the first shave. The next two shaves were noticeably better... the blade with the set I have seems to be in good shape overall, with a bit of practice I'll get better with the stropping and the angle.
I saw one on eBay a few days ago that supposedly belonged to a billionaire tycoon for a steal of a deal. $700.00
Forth shave with the Rolls...another good middle of the road type shave. Replaced the leather strop piece with some leather I cut out of old strop....stropped the blade for a couple minutes before I shaved. I don't get super close shaves from this but I could see how this could be your only razor for a very long time without changing the routine. This was probably a very thrifty and reliable way to shave back in the old days.
I have several Rolls Razors both Imperial and Viceroys.
I have sterilized and cleaned and restored them. Even fossilized strops can usually be brought back to life.
I use a Rolls every day.
Usually three passes with lather and a fourth with warm water for touch ups.
I do have one about which which I would like some advice if anyone can help me.
1. The wings on the friction clip are not tight enough. Can they be manually be bent upward or is there a better, safer way to treat them?
2. The Blade Safety Guard is too loose. I did fix one before but found it very finicky work. I inadvertently put a slight arch in the horizontal section. It took a lot of trial and error to get everything as it should be. Is there a better, more positive way to tighten it?
Mickey
I have sterilized and cleaned and restored them. Even fossilized strops can usually be brought back to life.
I use a Rolls every day.
Usually three passes with lather and a fourth with warm water for touch ups.
I do have one about which which I would like some advice if anyone can help me.
1. The wings on the friction clip are not tight enough. Can they be manually be bent upward or is there a better, safer way to treat them?
2. The Blade Safety Guard is too loose. I did fix one before but found it very finicky work. I inadvertently put a slight arch in the horizontal section. It took a lot of trial and error to get everything as it should be. Is there a better, more positive way to tighten it?
Mickey
