Swedish Swing razors

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Darkbulb, Feb 20, 2015.

  1. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Received two beautiful Swedish safety razors yesterday - Swings.

    A little about Swedish Swing razors
    There's not a whole lot of information available about these razors, but here are some data point that I was able to find;

    - Made by the Swedish company "Aktiebolaget Svenska Rakklinga" that was active from 1921 (trademark was filed in 1923) up the 1950's and was located in Sandviken.

    - Approximately 10 different sets/designs were made, including travel razor kits and cases in leather and bakelite,

    - A number of patents were filed in the 20's and 30's to protect design ideas.
    An example below:
    [​IMG]

    That is, sadly, all I could find.
    If anyone has any more data points I'd love to learn more.

    These are heavy, solid razors presumably made out of Swedish stainless steel.

    Video
    Here's a short 40 sec video that shows off the razors I bought (and a Gillette Slim for size comparison).
    Sorry, it is a really terrible video but you try juggling a phone in one hand and fondling new, shiny razors in the other :D


    Some still photos of the razors:

    [​IMG]

    The head design seems to be the same on both razors:
    [​IMG]

    and they take modern DE blades w/out modifications.

    Razor #1
    I read somewhere where this model was referred to as "1935, Closed Comb".
    Since I have no other data to go by I'm going to stick with that for now.

    I personally find it to be a very attractive razor.
    Its handle design is very different though and places quite a bit of weight at the base of the handle.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Razor #2
    The other razor has a more balanced handle - yet that same weight that I must say I really like.
    The handle has a nice pattern on it that makes it easy to grip and hold.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    That's it.
    Can't wait to try them out but since I'm doing a "1 razor per week" project to ensure that I actually use every razor in my collection that might be a couple of weeks out :)
     
    brit, dangermouse, RyX and 14 others like this.
  2. jeraldgordon

    jeraldgordon TSD's Mascot

    Marvelous looking razors! Do come back with reviews when you get around to it. Thanks for sharing!
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  3. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Thanks and will do - I really can't wait to try them out :)
     
  4. Slow Joe

    Slow Joe Relishing his obsession

    Those are some nice looking razors. Very different. I will be really interested to hear your review of them. Thanks for sharing.
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  5. Jasman

    Jasman Well-Known Member

    I'm not much of a closed comb/bar razor fan, but those are great. The '1935 closed comb,' in particular, is really unusual in appearance.
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  6. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    Nice
    actually they're better than nice
    awesome finds
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  7. RaZorBurn123

    RaZorBurn123 waiting hardily...............

    Those are fantastic! They look like they were made yesterday.
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  8. clint64

    clint64 Blind Squirrel

    They look almost brand new.
     
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  9. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    That's what I thought when I opened the package. No scratches/discoloration/plate loss. The '1935 CC''s handle is sooooo smooth.
     
    clint64 likes this.
  10. clint64

    clint64 Blind Squirrel

    Where to you find all these razors? You are the king of acquiring unique razors.
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  11. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    Very nice.
     
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  12. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Quite honestly just online.
    A combination of;
    - ebay,
    - Etsy,
    - Bonanza, and
    -Rubylane

    And thanks.....I think :D
     
    clint64 likes this.
  13. clint64

    clint64 Blind Squirrel

    It was meant as a compliment ;)
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  14. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Haha, thanks.
    We'll see how much I like acquiring these odd razors next week as I then move on to shaving for a week with a mystery roller guard razor from Argentina. It still scares me a bit just looking at it....
     
  15. Mr. Shaverman

    Mr. Shaverman Well-Known Member

    Have you tried these yet?
     
    Darkbulb likes this.
  16. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Not yet. Since I'm doing '1 razor, 1 week' there's a bit of a backlog...
    Plan is to get to at least one if them w/in the next 2-3 weeks.
     
    Mr. Shaverman likes this.
  17. Jasman

    Jasman Well-Known Member

    I found this additional blurb on the Swing razor (or the one you found and mentioned in passing):

    On the off chance our resident polyglot, Jeff, doesn't stop by the thread to translate:

    manufactured by Swing Ltd. AB, founded in 1923 as AB Swedish Rakklinga . The origin is that of Emil Zeidlitz 1914 started razor blade factory in Sandviken, Sweden's first , which in 1923 moved to Gävle . Swing was the first to introduce the stainless razor blade in Sweden , and there was also produced razors under the name of Swing. The company had about 100 employees during the 1940s. Around the turn of the year 1952-1953 company moved back to Sandviken.
     
  18. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Great - thanks for that!
    Luckily I'm fluent in Swedish :)

    Now I want to find out more information about them
     
  19. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Today I tried the "1935 CC" razor for the first time.

    Initial impressions:
    Love the weight of the handle - it might be solid Swedish stainless steel judging from appearance and weight - regardless it's one fantastic handle that's super smooth to the touch but oddly enough didn't become slippery.
    The handle is a bit back-heavy as you probably can tell from the photos. It wasn't a problem per se but I did pay attention to it as this was my first shave with it.

    I did my normal two passes - WTG and ATG. (The Klar Kabinett is just amazing and produced a great lather).
    No nicks or cuts - the shave was smooth and felt rather effortless. End result was an 80-85% perfectly smooth shave and I spent a few seconds on touch-ups.

    I'm looking forward to seeing how it will perform for me during this week and see what my final 'verdict' may be which, in the end determines if it's a keeper of goes up for sale.

    [​IMG]
     
    brit, whiteboy_cannon, tuxxdk and 3 others like this.
  20. david of central florida

    david of central florida Rhubarb Rubber

    if it goes for sale, I'd be interested, just pm.
    d
     

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