What did I find, and how do I use it?

[drumlogan]

Hi B&B members- the gents over at reddit.com/r/wicked_edge suggested I post up to your forum concerning a recent acquisition of mine. I bought a vintage Tower shave kit I found in an antique store a couple weeks ago, and just got around to trying it out. Problem is, I can't figure out how I'm supposed to use the damn thing! I suspect I'm missing a piece or two, but I also don't know what half the parts are for. Here's a little album of the set: http://imgur.com/a/HHFAiThere's a handle that appears to belong to another piece that kind of butterflies open, but nothing really stays snug, and a blade doesn't fit in the 'butterfly' piece.
The razor comes apart by applying downward pressure, and separates into three pieces. I tried placing a razor in between the rake and the top piece, but can't get it to shut without risking multiple slices on my fingers.
Not only that, I can't find anything about the razor online. The case button is stamped "Tower Manufacturing & Novelty Co.", and the razor has "Tower Razor - Pat. MAR.15.10" stamped on the underside.
Any help, references, knowledge?!

Thanks a bunch, looking forward to learning more from this great site!

 

[ironfist]

Wow interesting set!! Looks like it would use the blades from a Durham Duplex

 

[ironfist]

 

[drumlogan]

The rabbit hole deepens! Any idea if those blades are made any more, or where to find them? Thanks!

 

[ironfist]

I might be completely wrong but they are very similar I doubt they will be made nowadays but ebay you will find them

 

[dcobranchi]

I believe that's a Gold Manufacturing Co. razor. They made the College & Military razors that look exactly like that. Same basic loading mechanism. Here's a thread with my Military razor. Lots of pics. They made SE and DE with the same format.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/269998-A-rare(-)-one-in-the-wild

 

[dcobranchi]

Your razor is featured in this thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/128197-ABC-Gillette!-wait-WHAT-IS-THIS

 

[Bearded Buckeye]

That thing is gorgeous...I hope that you can find blades for it, and maybe put it to use! Good luck and good find!

At the very least, that thing is one hell of a 'shelf razor'.

 

[dpm802]

http://www.acetoolonline.com/Stanle...t-11-530.htm?gclid=CK3HxtPqjboCFYuk4AodKlYAoA
Something like this might fit, but I don't know if a carpet blade would yield a very comfortable shave.

And it may not be designed for shaving in the first place. My grandfather had something similar for cutting hair.

 

[alex2363]

Hi B&B members- the gents over at reddit.com/r/wicked_edge suggested I post up to your forum concerning a recent acquisition of mine. I bought a vintage Tower shave kit I found in an antique store a couple weeks ago, and just got around to trying it out. Problem is, I can't figure out how I'm supposed to use the damn thing! I suspect I'm missing a piece or two, but I also don't know what half the parts are for. Here's a little album of the set: http://imgur.com/a/HHFAiThere's a handle that appears to belong to another piece that kind of butterflies open, but nothing really stays snug, and a blade doesn't fit in the 'butterfly' piece.
The razor comes apart by applying downward pressure, and separates into three pieces. I tried placing a razor in between the rake and the top piece, but can't get it to shut without risking multiple slices on my fingers.
Not only that, I can't find anything about the razor online. The case button is stamped "Tower Manufacturing & Novelty Co.", and the razor has "Tower Razor - Pat. MAR.15.10" stamped on the underside.
Any help, references, knowledge?!

Thanks a bunch, looking forward to learning more from this great site!

They seem to have manufactured and distributed a variety of razors [ and other items] around World War 1 out of 306 Broadway New York,
along with Samuel Cupples Woodenware distributors Co. St. Louis MS. and the Gold Mfg Co. of New York. They made many razors including the Daisy safety razor style N.







Daisy razor n




This is another item that they distributed

 

[dcobranchi]

Unraveling the relationship between Gold and Tower would no doubt be interesting. Two companies making/distributing the same exact razors and both companies located in Manhattan.

 

[drumlogan]

I'd assume it was some kind of cooperative venture - from what I can tell Tower had some kind of catalog similar to what Sears Roebuck did back in the day. I'm definitely going to keep digging though, since this is the only iteration of this set I've seen with the Tower branding.

 

[alex2363]

I'd assume it was some kind of cooperative venture - from what I can tell Tower had some kind of catalog similar to what Sears Roebuck did back in the day. I'm definitely going to keep digging though, since this is the only iteration of this set I've seen with the Tower branding.

Here is a sample from that catalog