I searched and searched and couldn't find what I wanted, but I was curious about using some vintage Shamrock blades I picked up yesterday at an antique mall. I'm not sure if they're stainless steel or what, but the box says 1933, so there's that. Each blade is still sealed in greased paper in individual envelopes. I tested the sharpness on my arm, and they still cut. Is there any reason why I shouldn't give these a go tomorrow morning? And here's another reason I'm interested in using them: There are still 40 unused blades in this box, and it was only $1.50! When they were new, this box of 50 would have cost 5 bucks back in 1933! I've never heard of Shamrocks and haven't found anything about them on the webber-tubes, but given the lofty price back in the 30s, I would think they're at least half-decent.
Hell, give 'em a go, just make sure you have 9-1-1 on your speed dial first. :happy102 Seriously, I personally see no reason why they wouldn't be usable.
I love vintage blades. I would definitely try the Shamrocks if I had them. With old carbon steel blades like these it is hit or miss. If they were a decent blade to begin with and they were stored in reasonably good conditions they will probably still be capable of a decent shave. Keep in mind though that the shave experience is quite different than when using coated stainless steel blades. There is noticeable pulling from carbon blades. If you use a "slide' technique, sometimes called the "Gillette Slide", you will get a much better performance from old carbon steel blades.
I was wondering the same thing but in my case I purchased a 5-pack of NOS Segal blades. I have a Segal Unitary razor. It is a beautiful piece of hardware. Unfortunately, it uses proprietary blades, the aforementioned Segals. The razor and the blades date from perhaps the 30's or 40's. Even though they have never been used I wonder if I should throw one in some Barbicide first. I'd really like to give that razor a try.
Well, that's all the encouragement I need :-D I'll report back tomorrow, hopefully not from the ER :-P
Well, those blades were quite dull! I could literally feel the hairs being pulled rather than cut. I managed two swipes before I had to swap my Derby blade back in the razor. Not fun, but then, I spent a whole $1.50, so no worries :-D Plus, the box looks pretty rad on my shelf.
Those first few lines are exactly how I'd describe my experience with both Astras and Derby's. :happy102
That was about the experience I had when trying out a NOS regular Blue Blade of 1954 vintage. It looked so nice and shiny, but was extremely uncomfortable, if not downright painful to use. No blood, but a lot of yanking.
I've used a few pure-stainless, non-coated blades and some have been fine (namely CVS-variety ASR DEs and some 50-yr-old Lords and Wilkinsons) - I don't know much about blades but when it comes to untreated stainless it's hit or miss. I've also tried Balaka Carbons, which weren't mind-blowing but shaved adequately for one or two gos then were of no use. Shave a little hair on your leg or arm to test. I'll say I've used only one disastrous blade and it was a Kai, probably defective. I'd used a few before and found them to ok, but this one tore me up. So I'm never touching one again - not like they're hard to abstain from
The Platinum-Plus, Plus-Platinums, and Spoiler Super Stainless are still excellent blades, even 30 years on, if they've been kept in a safe place. A couple flea markets and a couple 'bay sales netted me nearly 4 years worth of 'em.
Carbon steel blade edges deteriorate over time even in their original packaging.Stainless vintage blades are fine though.Some members prefer the 60s stainless Gillette's and Wilkinson's over the currently made blades.
