Gents, wanted to share one of my vintage razor interests: Travelers sets!
Ever since I was a boy I have been intrigued by portable solutions of any kind where you could fold/pack something usable into a very small size. Nowadays good examples are camping chairs, small active speakers for music, pocket knives, small flash lights etc. Oh... and razors of course!
Then what is a DE razor travelers set?
Well, you could definitely argue that any razor in a smallish case/box, along with a blade holder, is a travelers set. However I have decided to use a bit more narrow definition (though very debatable):
A travelers set to me is either (a) a full shaving set complete with razor, blades, brush and soap, and potentially a mirror, all in one casing. Or (b) a small disassembled 3-piece razor set in a flat closed case, either zippered or closed with a button.
Here’s some of mine - show me yours!
Using this wobbly definition I here present my sets - And I look forward to seeing your personal examples of these fascinating contraptions!
My Tech Frankenrazor travel set for a couple of years: 1957 Tech US baseplate on thin handle, and a #44 RFB head along with it if I feel like OC. All fits perfectly in a 1930s original Gillette case.
My currently preferred set: 1960s Japanese Feather 1200 set, wonderful shave!!
The high-end traveler: 1940s Gillette Hybrid Tech - smoothest shaver ever made!
Small Danish made Ginge travelers set - got it locally for a bottle of red wine!
Another high-end piece: 1938 #3 Aristocrat traveler - French market version
Another Japanese: 1960s Nalbi 250 set. Most Japanese DE razors from the 1950s and 1960s seem to have copied Gillette designs, but their handles designs are unique and often very very cool!
One of the rarest travelers seen today: #4 Traveler set holding a 1939 Gillette Popular. Complete with THE BRUSH and original soap!
Very cool Japanese corporate branded set holding a standard Rocket Flare Tip. The front of the case has the characters “Tai-sei-ka-sai-kai-jyo-ho-ken-kabu-shiki-kai-sha’ - Taisei Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. in gold. Taisei filed for bankruptcy in 2001 following terror related payouts in the wake of 9/11. This set may have been given as a corporate gift to clients.
1950s Swedish made Matador set - complete with all original paraphernalia
1950s 3rd generation Apollo Mikron full set - best looking case I ever saw!
Ever since I was a boy I have been intrigued by portable solutions of any kind where you could fold/pack something usable into a very small size. Nowadays good examples are camping chairs, small active speakers for music, pocket knives, small flash lights etc. Oh... and razors of course!
Then what is a DE razor travelers set?
Well, you could definitely argue that any razor in a smallish case/box, along with a blade holder, is a travelers set. However I have decided to use a bit more narrow definition (though very debatable):
A travelers set to me is either (a) a full shaving set complete with razor, blades, brush and soap, and potentially a mirror, all in one casing. Or (b) a small disassembled 3-piece razor set in a flat closed case, either zippered or closed with a button.
Here’s some of mine - show me yours!
Using this wobbly definition I here present my sets - And I look forward to seeing your personal examples of these fascinating contraptions!
My Tech Frankenrazor travel set for a couple of years: 1957 Tech US baseplate on thin handle, and a #44 RFB head along with it if I feel like OC. All fits perfectly in a 1930s original Gillette case.
My currently preferred set: 1960s Japanese Feather 1200 set, wonderful shave!!
The high-end traveler: 1940s Gillette Hybrid Tech - smoothest shaver ever made!
Small Danish made Ginge travelers set - got it locally for a bottle of red wine!
Another high-end piece: 1938 #3 Aristocrat traveler - French market version
Another Japanese: 1960s Nalbi 250 set. Most Japanese DE razors from the 1950s and 1960s seem to have copied Gillette designs, but their handles designs are unique and often very very cool!
One of the rarest travelers seen today: #4 Traveler set holding a 1939 Gillette Popular. Complete with THE BRUSH and original soap!
Very cool Japanese corporate branded set holding a standard Rocket Flare Tip. The front of the case has the characters “Tai-sei-ka-sai-kai-jyo-ho-ken-kabu-shiki-kai-sha’ - Taisei Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. in gold. Taisei filed for bankruptcy in 2001 following terror related payouts in the wake of 9/11. This set may have been given as a corporate gift to clients.
1950s Swedish made Matador set - complete with all original paraphernalia
1950s 3rd generation Apollo Mikron full set - best looking case I ever saw!
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