Used Razors: The Stories They Could Tell

[ada8356]

For those of you that use old razors, do you ever wonder about their histories? The stories they could tell or the times that they've seen?

I don't have any used razors, but I was just looking at some pictures of old ones and just wondering what all they had seen.

 

[wbw0126]

Definitely. Especially the military sets

 

[cfriend]

Every morning.

 

[Mojo88]

Interesting thought.. I was thinking the same thing the other day as I was looking at my Ranger Tech. It is in nearly mint condition and you could tell it was stored in a box with something like Old Spice for several years. I envisioned someone going away to WWII and not returning . The set could have been stored and never used until it reached an auction and some antique dealer bought it. Or someone bought it, didn't like it and put it away, I will never know.
It made me think of an uncle that passed a couple years ago. He enlisted in the navy and was a Sea-Bee. They auctioned the entire contents of the house which proved to be enormous undertaking as he and my aunt went through the Depression and saved everything that wasn't broken. I would imagine in the next few years you will see razors come up in sales like this as that generation is entering their 80's.

 

[rm71]

Yep. I often stop and think where they bought it, the job they did and where they lived etc.

Good post.

 

[aquilla]

yeah, i always try to find out as much as i can but thats usually just manufacturing info, id also especially like to know the history of the millitary sets.

 

[Dharion]

I don't want to know how many times grandpa cut himself with his Super Speed. (According to my father a lot, that's why they [he and his brothers] bought him the electric)

 

[Luc]

I think that would be a great thing to listen to. Let's forget about the blood, let's just think about the 'who'... I think the location where the razor was is just amazing... I'm thinking about Bill Ellis razor right now, an amazing journey!

 

[michiganlover]

I have a well worn Ball End Tech that shaves perfectly. I have often thought about how many shaves, it's had in it's life, to get to this point. It certainly has a richer history, than a mint condition model, that sat unused in a box.

It has a ding on the head, that it likely suffered from being dropped. Makes you wonder how irritated the user was when that happened.

 

[L. Martino]

Hiya,

I picked up a 1930's style cased Aristocrat a while back...the doors showing a good bit of use(but not abuse). Most of the gold is very faded, but no plating's been lost. All teeth are straight on this razor as well. Whoever shaved with this took care of it, since the doors still operate very smoothly, and the handle is in very good shape with no plating loss or dents.

Funny thing is, both the razor and blade holder have the owner's initials (WDB) engraved on em in fancy script. Now this Aristocrat was purchased about 75 years ago, so it's sorta interesting to imagine who the gentleman was that used this. I'd think he woulda been fairly well off, but who knows.

Anyway, just thought this would be the right thread to post about my razor.

Martin

Sigh.......sorry I can't post any pics.

 

[luvmysuper]

I have a 1907 Single Ring, and while looking it over, under one of the blade cases were two tiny little pictures of a man and a woman.

Though probably not from 1907, they were somehow connected to this razor.

Was the razor his, and he kept the photo of he and his wife side by side?
Did the razor belong to someone and this was photos of his parents? Perhaps the razor was his to begin with, and he passed it on to his son with their pictures in it.

Anyway, makes you aware that with these razors we have history in our hands, when I hold this razor, I am holding something that was made when Teddy Roosevelt was President.

All I can say is - Bully!!

 

[D.Irving79]

i have a straight razor originally owned by hymie weiss.

considering he went to the barber shop, im not sure i want to know where its been

 

[Myanmar Shave]

I have a 1907 Single Ring, and while looking it over, under one of the blade cases were two tiny little pictures of a man and a woman.

Though probably not from 1907, they were somehow connected to this razor.

Was the razor his, and he kept the photo of he and his wife side by side?
Did the razor belong to someone and this was photos of his parents? Perhaps the razor was his to begin with, and he passed it on to his son with their pictures in it.

Anyway, makes you aware that with these razors we have history in our hands, when I hold this razor, I am holding something that was made when Teddy Roosevelt was President.

All I can say is - Bully!!

That's a fantastic find, sir!! Thanks for sharing that photo. That's a true connection to someones past...

Marty E.

 

[ctakim]

Thanks Phil for sharing that photo. That is priceless. I often wonder where my little Tuckaway sets have traveled to.

 

[heirkb]

i have a straight razor originally owned by hymie weiss.

considering he went to the barber shop, im not sure i want to know where its been

That's actually really really cool!
How'd you find out it was his razor?

 

[D.Irving79]

That's actually really really cool!
How'd you find out it was his razor?

purchased from a relative along with a few other items. i was extremely lucky

 

[rm71]

purchased from a relative along with a few other items. i was extremely lucky

Dave that is amazing. Tell us more!

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Using that 1912 Gem this week, I couldn't help but wonder where it's been, the times it had been through. Was it under fire in wartime? Was it passed down from generation to generation, only to lie forlornly in some dusty box for years only to be recently rescued?

Worth has once again suffused its plated brass soul and it is fulfilling its destiny in providing great shaves.

 

[D.Irving79]

Dave that is amazing. Tell us more!

well, being a history buff of many things early 20th century, early organized crime from around 1900-1930 is one of them. theres a few gangsters lives that fascinate me, and his was always one of them; ive been reading up on him for a few years, whatever i can find, and through doing so ive met a few other "gangster" buffs, some who have incredible collections of stuff i still cant fathom. it was basically a guy knew a guy who knew a relative type situation; i own a cane, a few ties, an unworn arrow brand collar, a collar stud, the straight razor and a carborundum (sp?) stick for it. the purchase(s) wiped out my savings, but it was well worth it

 

[rm71]

well, being a history buff of many things early 20th century, early organized crime from around 1900-1930 is one of them. theres a few gangsters lives that fascinate me, and his was always one of them; ive been reading up on him for a few years, whatever i can find, and through doing so ive met a few other "gangster" buffs, some who have incredible collections of stuff i still cant fathom. it was basically a guy knew a guy who knew a relative type situation; i own a cane, a few ties, an unworn arrow brand collar, a collar stud, the straight razor and a carborundum (sp?) stick for it. the purchase(s) wiped out my savings, but it was well worth it

That is cool. Thanks.