It is my understanding during the 40s (I was not born yet), there were restrictions on certain raw materiels such as metal and rubber. I have a great razor that was made during that time period. The question: If there were restrictions on metal in the 40s how did Gillette manage to get a ahold of metal to make the wonderful Super Speed I have?
WWII ended 1945; I Think Superspeeds were made after that. As for other razors made during the war, I do not know, they may had the metal or used other materials.
Right Will. The Ranger Tech (Grandfather of the SS) was made in 1941. Almost all production was stopped except for wartime use. Mostly Techs were made with black bakelight handles and blacked out tops, part of a camo kit. In other words, alternate materials. The SS came out in 47-48.
Don't know for sure, seems like pot metal with a coating. I know you can copper and nickel plate pot metal but there might be another chemical process to get the black color. It does wear off after time and is gray underneath. Someone with more knowledge about metals may have an idea or know for sure.
Saw the answer on Wikipedia, its a type of metal with a low melting point, I guess Pot Metal would not be one of the materiels restricted during WWII so it would make sense that Gillette would make razors out of pot metal. I would not imagine that this would effect the effecitiveness of the shave. All of this makes a lot of sense glad y'all know so much about wet shaving.
Can anyone attach a picture of a razor which was made during the WWII restrictions? This thread has got my curiosity going a mile a minute.
In the rear, the 41 Tanger Tech, In the middle a Gillette with a pressed (thin) metal blade bar with a pot metal (?) top and in the front an all plastic Simplex military razor. [vbpg]1005[/vbpg]
Oh, did not think about that and I do recall the thread on the reference books. I have been doubting the need for one, but I guess that I should lookup one at my local book shop.