WTB - Roller Guard base plate for Gillette style razors (1930s)

I would like to find a Roller Guard base plate as the one in the photo below. (Just the plate, unless you have a full razor model)

A box would be great but if they prove scarce then one without would work. I am in Canada for postage. Thanks

 

[Rob72]

Oh, my! I've looked for one for 15 years, and never coincided with one! Best of luck! (But know I'm burning with jealousy if you find one!)

 

[RocketMan]

Well it is worth a shot. There is one out there not getting the attention it needs. We just need to launch it over to the Rocketman!

 

[RocketMan]

Yep. This guy right here.

 

[RocketMan]

You want to sell/trade me your Roller Guard Plate. You want to sell/trade me your Roller Guard Plate. You want to sell/trade me your Roller Guard Plate. You want to…………………..

 

[RocketMan]

No Ricky I am positive I said that if I can find one, you might enjoy trying out a Roller Plate!!!

 

[RocketMan]

WTB: Roller Guard Plate

There is some evidence that even the King himself found a difference using a Roller Guard on one of his razors. Just look at these Before and After photos. Sell or trade yours?

 

[GAW9576]

I know it's not what you are looking for but a Stahly "Live Blade" razor has a similar look to it. I have one on a Gillette Tech fat handle handle. It's a great shaver. If you want to see some pictures I can snap a few for you. It may be something fun to use while you search for the Gillette baseplate.

 

[RocketMan]

I know it's not what you are looking for but a Stahly "Live Blade" razor has a similar look to it. I have one on a Gillette Tech fat handle handle. It's a great shaver. If you want to see some pictures I can snap a few for you. It may be something fun to use while you search for the Gillette baseplate.

Yes, thank you. The Stahly is a fascinating little beast. I sought out one early on because frankly, they are an incredible art/design piece. It is as if someone grabbed all the art deco talent they had from the 1930’s and then pummelled it straight through WW2 literally bursting out in 1946 with a design that rivals any top contender for design beauty. Even their cases are right out of the Ball Park!

I know folks describe the Stahly frame as a roller guard style, but most of their models (or all?) had fixed rollers which were cut from one rod of metal (as is The Roller Guard), but there is a barber pole design element to The Roller Guard which looks like it would have greater function than the Stahly. The Stahly roller may intentionally be cut with narrow lines to support lather control with the vibrating head. It seems like just enough lather under the guard to float the head on the skin. The Roller Guard however appears like it is designed to channel the lather and the cut hair refuse out of the way. Probably doesn’t work, but therein lies my itch.

That said, I thank you for your suggestion and will set up my next shave with a Stahly frame and cap on a Canadian Gillette military thin handle. The handle has become a fav of mine because it is like being mentally connected to the razor. Not too big, not too small, not too fat, not too…..just Papa Bear perfect!

This will hold me for a bit. In the mean time - ….you want to sell/trade me your…….

 

[GAW9576]

Great description of the Shahly. And darn you, now I too want a Gillette roller guard. Good luck in your search.

 

[RocketMan]

Great description of the Shahly. And darn you, now I too want a Gillette roller guard. Good luck in your search.

Oh, oh! I’m trying to generate one for me! Darn!

Step back from desiring that plate Sir! It is probably awful Anyways.


The Stahly shave kicked *** for Christmas Eve. A fabulous buffer, and I shy away from the buffing technique at times. My SWMBO will be pleased! Great shave. Thanks for the intervention. It really was a terrific shave with Christmas tunes in the background. Sigh………. Rose Truefitt, hot water, steam towels……..yum! Christmas is complete.

 

[GAW9576]

Oh, oh! I’m trying to generate one for me! Darn!

Step back from desiring that plate Sir! It is probably awful Anyways.


The Stahly shave kicked *** for Christmas Eve. A fabulous buffer, and I shy away from the buffing technique at times. My SWMBO will be pleased! Great shave. Thanks for the intervention. It really was a terrific shave with Christmas tunes in the background. Sigh………. Rose Truefitt, hot water, steam towels……..yum! Christmas is complete.

View attachment 1769347

Sweet setup. I'll have to revisit mine soon.

 

[RocketMan]

WTB: The Roller Guard for Gillette razors. You know you wanna move it on!

 

[GAW9576]

WTB: The Roller Guard for Gillette razors. You know you wanna move it on!

View attachment 1771435

So. Were these produced by Gillette?

 

[RocketMan]

So. Were these produced by Gillette?

Good question. Thanks!

No, this was a newcomer to the scene really in the late 1920s. William Little formed the Roller Guard Razor Co in Chicago to produce these razors from a US Patent he rcvd May 07 1929, exactly as on the razor plates above. The Wilkinson Pall Mall had been selling with a very similar guard for over twenty years already and some smaller makers as well. I guess Mr Little felt Gillette was missing an opportunity, so he moved in to fill what he thought was a niche. Why you don’t see lots of these razors today however is probably linked to his unfortunate timing regarding Gillette and Auto Strop changing the blade market within a year of so. There was a huge marketing push of new designs - the Gillette New, Goodwill, Probak etc coming on deck and the Gillette 3 pin old type was on its last leg. Little’s Guard is only good on the Old Type Gillettes, and fits little else.

People have questioned the intent of the roller on the Roller Guard, and lots of theories are held on the internet, as always. But you only need reference the Patent to see how this was intended to improve your shave using an Old Type razor.

If you are rather adventurous, you could call it a Screw Slant.

 

[GAW9576]

Interesting. I hope you find one.

 

[RocketMan]

Interesting. I hope you find one.

Thank you. There is one out there somewhere. ( You want to sell/trade me your Roller Guard - repeat)

I have two things in my favor. 1) A detailed plan. And 2) A Secret Weapon!

1). The Plan:

2). My secret weapon - my unwavering focus and my being impervious to Internet exhaustion.

Now little Razor Guard. Let yourself be known! Muahahahaahahahahaha!!!

.

 

[RocketMan]

Ok. I’m ready for the PMs to fill my Inbox.

 

[RocketMan]

Nothing in the Inbox. Roller Guard anyone??

 

[RocketMan]

Ok. Enough for now. (Last chance! Roller Guard anyone?)