Sometimes you find an old patent that is amazing. I mean, I’m amazed as to how Rennie E Billingsley could ever think his invention was a bright idea. I’m amazed his lawyer didn’t talk him out of spending time and money on a patent application. And I am utterly not amazed that it seems to have sunk without a trace.
Continue readingAccording to the patent filed by John Rieger in 1921, a razor that is reciprocating rapidly as it moves over the face of the user will effectually remove the beard without irritation. Consider me not entirely convinced that this is the case. After all; as another John pointed out in a 1845 pamphlet, a razor is not a saw.
Continue readingI am unsure if I should be amused or slightly freaked out by a talking, badly animated razor. The early 70’s was an odd time…
I honestly do not see the point. After all, there is a lot more to a shave than getting lather of the face, and it is something I want to spend time at instead of rushing through.
I stumbled over an old advertisement today… and it is a long time since I’ve been looking at the woo-woo magnetic razors.
On the surface, it seems to be the same pseudo-science as the other crankcases. I’m pretty sure that if I dig down deeper, it will still be the same pseudo-science as the other crankcases. The more things change etc.
At least this one came in a stylish tin box. And given that it has been patented… I feel a follow on post coming on sometime in the future.
I realise this may not be useful for everyone, but if you’re looking for photos of old (and new) safety razors you might find this handy:
It is a wonderful resource for free to use images and other media. Need a photo of a American Safety Razor Company razor? They got plenty. How about the all but forgotten Christy razors? Plenty of those too.
Google Image Search can be handy, but for a more focused search try Wikimedia Commons.
Old advertisement often seems more honest than the ones I’m subjected to today. Back in the day, an advertisement tried to sell a product. Today they seem to often try to sell a lifestyle – or the image of a lifestyle.
As an example, take this Gillette advertisement from 12th august 1904.
Buy one. Try it for a month. Not happy? Here is your money back, and you’re welcome! After all, Gillette back then stood behind their razor – instead of trying to sell the idea of being smooth shaven.
Although… I suspect they would happily deduct the cost of the one to three blades you had used during that month.
The secret is the sharpness of the blade, and the reason of the sharpness is the stropping.
At least according to the people extolling the benefits of the Valet Auto-Strop razor, a safety razor that was designed to make stropping easy.
Some vintage advertisements have weird taglines, at least when viewed through the eyes of 2021. Like… well, like this one for the new GEM Micromatic.
Continue readingThe Micromatic Clog-Pruf is a great razor. But even a great razor can be part of a revolutionary offer, if this old ad is to be believed.
Continue reading