I've seen about 10 more on B&B, which most likely includes the 3 the author probably saw. Still, super rare.
The only explanations I've ever heard for their existence (and I believe it was speculation), is that post WWII, the American Gillette branch made machines for the British branch to resume production of TTO razors. Before the machines were sent to Britain, they were tested here, resulting in the few razors found. The other story I've heard is that again, post WWII, the British branch of Gillette sent razor parts to the U.S. for testing before resuming production. Another explanation might be that the U.S. branch briefly toyed with the idea of making British style razors, before scrapping the idea. Whichever story has a grain of truth to it, the end result is the same. A very limited number were made and/or survive to the present time.
i have a #20 small head rocket that i love using.it is stamped with a k and a1 under the head.1965 maybe?$20 from an antique shop in mint shape.also scored an unused canadian rocket(430030)or aristocrat jr as they are called.tried it sunday.best shave i ve had to date.
just scored a #1 rocket,mint shape on ebay.identical to the canadian arist jr but with the pat pending triangular type base plate. i think 10 razors is enough.....,well not.just scored a #7 rocket hd from the west coast.looks in great shape.so i will have a #20 flair tip, #5 arist jr, #1 rocket and #7 rocket hd. best of the brits.......
I know that all Rockets are smooth customers, and that the HD 500 is the most aggressive, while still being silky smooth. But, does anyone have thoughts about the regular rocket /parat vs flare tip vs HD, in terms of aggressiveness? I know that they are less aggressive than the HD, but which one do you think is the milder one? I like em all, but I haven't had my parat out in a while. I've been using a pre war triangle '32 Canadian tech for the past few months. Sent from my ONE E1003 using Tapatalk
i have a small head #20 flair tip rocket that feels similar to my 67 black handled super speed,but i am way limited compared to others with more experience,gary
The flare tip rocket will be the mildest, being the last produced. The LD (light duty) would be next, being the aluminum model of the HD, followed by the regular rocket, and then the HD. The HD isn't even that much more aggressive than the regular rocket, but it feels that way because of it's weight. The No. 58 is the gussied up version of the rocket HD, with fancy knurling, and I would put it about half way between a regular American super speed and an American red tip super speed. Edit: It is slightly heavier than an HD.