FROM THE WILD, vintage razors recently purchased or inherited...!

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Ron R, Sep 25, 2018.

  1. mvd

    mvd Well-Known Member

    I passed up the tech, I passed up a poor-shape and possibly mismatched khaki set, a great but pricey ever-ready, a $110 fatboy that I really should have checked for a red dot, and even a $20 Slim, but I just couldn't say no to an Aristocrat Jr.

    Needs some polishing, and the mechanism is a bit tight, but should turn out well.


    [​IMG]
     
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  2. brit

    brit in a box

    very nice score..
     
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  3. Ron R

    Ron R Well-Known Member

    I believe the Razor you bought is a British Rocket or Parat, I have a couple of them and they are a good razor if in good working order. It's the British version of a Super Speed, the American version looks similar but has a hollow handle or you can see the nut assembly from the bottom. I also have the American version and they are so identical looking, but I like the British version a little more because it seems a little more aggressive IMO.
    https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/gillette-rocket-the-refined-de.8590/
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2019
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  4. Darlenep

    Darlenep New Member

    [​IMG] Hi there! Found this razor in the way back of an old cupboard in the house we bought. I see similar ones posted in here but would love someone to tell me succinctly what the heck it is. One thread I was reading here went waaay over my head with 1912 being made in the 30s or in 1919...lol
    I appreciate any information you can give me including what blade to look for. Thanks!
    [​IMG]
     
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  5. brit

    brit in a box

    very cool..
     
  6. Darlenep

    Darlenep New Member

    Thanks. It's heavy! It's really classy looking. I would love to know more about it.
     
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  7. brit

    brit in a box

    someone who knows will chime in shortly.. many SE guys here..
     
  8. mvd

    mvd Well-Known Member


    As far as I can tell it is an "Improved Ever-Ready" which began production in the 1930s. We refer to it as a "1912" because it is a reintroduction of the 1912 Gem Damaskeene under the Ever-Ready brand.

    I could be wrong, but this is my best guess.

    Forgot to add that it is under the American Safety Razor Company (ASR)

    20190217_214307.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2019
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  9. Darlenep

    Darlenep New Member

    Thank you!!!
     
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  10. Ron R

    Ron R Well-Known Member

    Nice find and that razor is very good to use after a little clean up. Sometimes you will see a date code stamped where the handle screws into the head 1912 or 1914 and that will help you find more information, the razor was so successful for its time and performance with a new GEM Personna SS PTFE coated blade makes it even shine better. IMO you should use that razor if you are into traditional shaving.
    Here's a little more information on performance http://thecloseshave.com/ever-ready_1912_razor_review/
    Gem instruction manual (2).jpg Gem procedure (2).jpg Blade review Revision #5 Dec14-2018.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2019
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  11. Darlenep

    Darlenep New Member

    Great information, thank you so much
     
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  12. John Warr

    John Warr Member

    A recent "bag". The Valet blade was in the bakelite Rolls Razor blade case I found on Sunday. The Gilette 195 dates from 3q 1967 and is my current go-to shave (although I still keep the Ever-Ready by the basin). I gave £5 for it at an antique market. There was an Ever-Ready (1912 pat) with it but it was not in as good a condition as the two I already have, so it stayed there :)
    The strop & the strait razor are items I mentioned in an earlier post. I suppose I must now hunt down an Autostrop to go with the blade...
    DSC_4330A.JPG DSC_4334A.JPG DSC_4331A.JPG
     
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  13. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    I have an NOS VC4 if you're interested. Let me know.
    IMG_9265.jpeg IMG_9266.jpeg IMG_9267.jpeg
     
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  14. Hembree

    Hembree Not as pretty smelling

    It is a great shaver!
     
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  15. John Warr

    John Warr Member

    Last edited: Feb 25, 2019
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  16. Primotenore

    Primotenore missed opera tunity

    Article Team
    Good luck!
     
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  17. John Warr

    John Warr Member

    Thanks - it looks quite nice. I don't suppose you have a PDF of the instructions do you ?
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    Check in Member @jimjo1031's thread -> HERE.

    I think that is a Slim. The 195 - Fat Boy was made from 1958 to 1961.
    I had a copy of a chart but keep misplacing it. It's from a member at B&B, but posted at The Shave Nook -->HERE.
     
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  19. Ron R

    Ron R Well-Known Member

    Excellent information, Thanks!
     
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  20. jimjo1031

    jimjo1031 never bloomed myself

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