I love retro stuff. Radios, cars, planes, clothing, you name it. When I first saw a YouTube video about the Rolls Razor in action I knew I had to get one eventually. Found one on eBay and got it for $35. I'm not sure if I overpayed but I'm certainly happy with it. I am just amazed at the ingenuity and beauty of its design and function. Simply a stunning piece of shaving history. I apologize for the quality of the pics, they don't do the set justice.
I'd kill for a set like that. I have a really, really old rolls with its blade catch hooks missing and a broken case. No strop. If I can make it through november without shaving, a pristine rolls set will be my gift to me. Great find, Nathan. Let us know how it shaves!
you overpaid for that big time, and if you want to recoup your losses I'll buy it from you for $40, and pay s&h. Because I pity you and would hate for you to feel ripped off. After all, almost all of the rolls razors on ebay come with mint boxes, instruction sheets, uncracked stones, non-dried out leather, and no rust.
You'll love that thing Nathan. I've got a set similar to yours with all the instructions etc intact, I sealed my box and everything in a bag and put it in the closet. I use my rolls at least 2-3 a week and rotate the other 3-4 shaves. The biggest thing to remember is when honing never slap the razor down, make sure you hear two faint clicks, 1 when the guard hits the hone and a second as the razor touches down. Enjoy that beauty!
Standard "new" Rolls procedure for me. Remove: strop and hone from covers, friction clip from brass spindle. Clean and dry: Strop, hone, frame and friction pads. Prep Strop: sand, neetsfoot oil rub and strop dress (Devo red) Treat any rust: I use naval jelly to stop it and a light coat of petro jelly to protect. Lub: lite for Gear tracks, heavy for handle (rust magnet inside) Reassemble, Hone and strop the blade and go. Stuff: When cleaning, heat everything up with a hairdryer to get the water out before it starts rusting (again). The best process for cleaning the friction pads I've found is a q-tip and a drop of lighterfluid. Nothing on a rolls is any where near stainless so keep everything dry and free from body oils and soap residue. I hone and strop on a wash cloth as the brass outer cover scratches easily. Cover the frame with the cloth while shaving. Wipe down the blade after a shave and blow out the top section of the handle. That's a start.....eazy-pezy
Seems like clean, intact sets like yours are getting harder and harder to find. Every time I've found one in an antique store, it's been missing something. Enjoy!
I just saw a set like that in a shop is Australia - looked to be in fair condition with the strops? showing some wear but overall to my inexperienced eye OK. If anyone is interested I can find some contact info.
