Some inventions are solutions in search of problems. The double double edged blade is a prime example, double so in J O Plesch’s itteration of the idea. Not just a double double edged blade, but attempting to be a slant at the same time. And likely prone to blade chatter. However, as the patent explains, his intentions were good:
Continue readingRazor: Parker 22R
Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless
Brush: Omega #10048
Lather: Proraso Menthol & Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Proraso Liquid Cream After Shave
Additional Care: Alum Block
Razor: Gillette Single Ring
Blade: Shark Super Chrome
Brush: Brush Experimental Alpha
Lather: Williams Mug shaving soap
Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
Additional Care: Alum Block
Recently razors.click tweeted about a razor patent that I’ve never seen before and it has some really intriguing features. It was filed in 1908, and the patent granted in 1912. It’s a patent by Clifford E Dunn, whom we have meet before.
One of described forms is a single edge razor using a double edge blade – not a unique idea by itself, but this is one of the earliest ones I know of. That design is set up to use Gillette’s three hole blade1 – thus avoiding having to reintroduce yet another blade on the market. Other forms can use a single edged blade – the early Gem blade might work, or a Christy style blade.
On to the patent, which described – according to the text – “certain new and useful Improvements in Safety-Razors”. To quote:
Continue readingRazor: Gillette Single Ring
Blade: Shark Super Chrome
Brush: Semogue TSN LE 2012
Lather: Asylum Shave Works Frankincense & Myrrh
Aftershave: Asylum Shave Works Frankincense & Myrrh
Additional Care: Alum Block
I’ve mentioned the Christy razor in the past, as well as other razors that built on the same idea or used Christy blades. As mentioned, the blades at least were for sale until the early thirties. What I found today shows that razors themselves were offered until at least 1927, competing for the low end of the market.
Continue readingRazor: Gillette Single Ring
Blade: Shark Super Chrome
Brush: Artesania Romera Manchurian Badger, imitation horn
Lather: Cold River Soap Works’ Barbere Sapone
Razor: Merkur 39C Slant
Blade: Shark Super Chrome
Brush: Vie-Long #12705B
Lather: Pereira Oud
Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara
Additional Care: Alum Block
Is your brush too soft? To stiff? Ever wanted a brush that could be either? If that is the case, Anton Hopfen’s improved shaving brush is what you need. Patented in 1878, it was not only capable of adjusting the loft and backbone on the fly, but also held the shaving soap.
Interestingly enough, the adjustable loft wasn’t the main point of the invention. To quote the patent text:
The nature of my invention consists in the construction of a handle for shaving-brushes, which form a receptacle for the shaving-soap or other articles, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.
US patent 206,791
In other words the adjustable brush was more of an afterthought. A bright idea tacked on to a dim idea, seen in hindsight.
Continue readingRazor: Merkur 39C Slant
Blade: Shark Super Chrome
Brush: Vie-Long #14033
Lather: Pereira Shavery Shaving Cream w/ Activated Charcoal
Aftershave: BullDog Original Aftershave Balm
Additional Care:Alum Block
