I have a tube of shaving cream from the '30s (that's a guess but I've found no info on it and it looks to be about that old). The stuff is quite usable and I would use it but I do not know if the tubes back then were tin, lead, or a combination of both. Dark grayish, dull, soft metal is all I can tell you. Anyone care to guess? If it's lead there's no way I'm using it, not with 70+ years for it to leach into the goo.
I think I'd just hang onto it as a collector's piece and not use it. Have you smelled the cream? After that long I'd think it would have developed that old hope chest smell. IMHO, very cool thing to have, kind of gross to use.
Smells as it was probably intended to smell: medicinal--all eucalyptus/camphor and nothing else. Looks somewhat translucent/clearish, like an ointment, instead of the usual toothpaste look of brushless creams today. On my hand it made as good a layer for shaving as new creams I've tried but I'll probably use it on the dog's hot spots and such.
I googled the question " was lead or tin used more in products during the 30's" and this link came up http://adittubes.com/about-tubes.html 1920s to 1930s : Aluminium tubes increasingly substitute lead and tin tubes 1940s to 1950s : Aluminium tubes almost completely replace lead and tin tubes BTW can you post a couple pics of your tube? What is the brand?
Interesting link, thank you! The dull, dark gray color and lack of any kind of surface oxidation I'd expect from ancient aluminum makes me remain unsure of the metal. Maybe I'll just liquefy the cream it in a spray bottle of alcohol for a dandy bug killer.
maybe you could find a hobo to use as a guinea pig. Offer him a bottle of Steel reserve if he rubs it on his face (maybe have him keep it on for like ten minutes) and if his skin doesn't peel off it should be safe to use. Of course he might think you're a bit creepy but who cares :happy102
Me too, I would put it in my collection and be very proud of it.I have blades from the 1930`s and they make me proud.
Too late. Decided the lead content (if there is any) is not a risk factor so I mixed it in a bowl with another very popular menthol-y brand of cream which hasn't impressed me. I'm really not much of a collector or displayer - nothing at all wrong with those who are - but I'd much rather put something to use if it can be used. This stuff can be, surprisingly.
