Barbasol Floating Head??? Or, Is It???

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by DaltonGang, Jul 10, 2018.

  1. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    I've had a Barbasol Floating Head, for several years, and the other day, received another one, in a "Razor Lot".
    There isn't any writing on it, so it makes me wonder. It had a rusted blade inside, that looked to be from the 40's-50's. The other razors were of the 50's-60's, with the same rusty blades in them. So, it is old. It had the exact same weight, dimensions, and feel of the known Barbasol. Has there been old knockoffs of this razor??
    But, here they are, next to each other. The Barbasol areas have been taped, to see if anyone can guess which is real, and which is not. But, perhaps they are both real, just one is without the Barbasol stamping??

    P7100338.JPG


    P7100339.JPG


    P7100340.JPG


    P7100341.JPG
     
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  2. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    Razors of the floating and non floating head Barbasol type were manufacturerd by and pursuant to patent obtained by Conrad Razor Blade Co. which also manufacturerd the Clix. Some razors are branded as Barbasol and others not. It's still unclear to me how the unbranded razors were distributed, whether by Conrad, Barbasol, or others. The language of the patent suggests that the razor may hsve been designed expressly with Barbasol in mind, or commissioned by them, as a primary patent claim is its superiority in use with brushless creams.


    The Conrad razor patent expired in 1954, only after which time knock offs could have appeared.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2018
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  3. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers


    Interesting fact, I did not know. Much thanks.
    So, no guess???
    BTW, looking closely, they look like they could have been machined on the same equipment.
     
  4. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    They're both "real" with or without the branding. The one on the left has plating which more resembles my branded one..
     
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  5. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Good, non-guess. :happy102:
     
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  6. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    I think the one on the left is the Barbasol branded. I have an unbranded non-floating head version.
     
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  7. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    Agreed.
     
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  8. PanChango

    PanChango Not Cute

    Yes. I would call the one on the left the Barbasol. It is the bluish tint of the chrome plating. The one on the right has the yellowish hue normally seen with Nickel.

    I have seen unbranded versions floating around.

    Edit to add a pic. Here's mine.
    IMG_20180710_183335_785.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2018
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  9. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Anyone have pics of theirs to compare them????
     
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  10. PanChango

    PanChango Not Cute

    Just added a bad pic of mine above.
     
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  11. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Hmmm, interesting.
    Excellent deduction,, "My dear @PanChango ". (I'm trying to sound like Sherlock Holmes).
     
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  12. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    "It's the plating Watson".
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2018
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  13. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    He is my unbranded non floating head, poor photo.
    [​IMG]

    Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk
     
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  14. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    Time for a new phone? :)
     
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  15. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    Nah, I cropped it from this photo
    [​IMG]

    Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk
     
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  16. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    Well, here is the answer:
    The one on the Right is the real Barbasol Floating head. It had been replated, by Chris, at www.Razorplate.com. , shortly after he started plating razors for others. The original Barbasol I have cost me $5.95, from and antique store, and the razor had some pitting that required new plating.

    P7100342.JPG
     
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  17. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    A replate? Now that's a trick question. Shame on you .
     
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  18. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    You guys didn't think it would be easy, did you??? I though for sure someone would have done a search on my past Barbasol Razor usage. That would have made the guessing easier.
     
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  19. jmudrick

    jmudrick Type A Man

    You'll have to offer the razor as a prize if you want that level of attention.
     
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  20. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    I'm in...:)
     
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