Thread: Razor history.

in college we have to wright a 3000 word essay on any topic we choose.
As i`ve been spending alot of time researching straight razors, i have cosen to wright an essay about shaving. and why the old fashoned ways are much better than modern teqniques.

while i can find the information, i`m struggleing with refrences, does any one know of any good books?

and also where i can find information behind the science of straight shaving. such as metal composition, blade triganometry for both modern cartridge razors and for straigts new and old.


regards ian

Originally Posted by BigIan

in college we have to wright a 3000 word essay on any topic we choose.
As i`ve been spending alot of time researching straight razors, i have cosen to wright an essay about shaving. and why the old fashoned ways are much better than modern teqniques.

while i can find the information, i`m struggleing with refrences, does any one know of any good books?

and also where i can find information behind the science of straight shaving. such as metal composition, blade triganometry for both modern cartridge razors and for straigts new and old.


regards ian

What sort of timeline are you working with? Aside from reading literature I'd suggest sending a few PMs to the razor makers on SRP and see if you can get email/phone interviews. I'm sure that if Lynn has time he'd accommodate as well.

I wrote this paper, well not exactly this one, two years ago at U of T. I wrote one that is probably more similar about bicycles though.

For sources
for a quick search hit books.google.com and select full view and search away. Change to scholar.google and exclude patents, exclude citations and you'll find more journal type stuff.

I could give you more specific sources if I knew what your thesis is. I'd imagine it would be something like: Even though many people think they are dangerous and out-moded, straight razors are the best because they provide the closest shave and are far better for the environment; when shaving with a cut-throat razors men take part in a cultural activity that connects them to their ancestors.

I am also currently seeking sources for the environmental impact angle but all I can get are blogs and non-citable websites.

good luck, and post it when it's done.

Originally Posted by commiecat

What sort of timeline are you working with? Aside from reading literature I'd suggest sending a few PMs to the razor makers on SRP and see if you can get email/phone interviews. I'm sure that if Lynn has time he'd accommodate as well.

I`ve got a couple of months before its needed in, I`m currently working on the rough outline of it now. my introduction is a rough history of shaving from 3000 bc, to the gillete 12 bladed dodads, we see today. and the resons and back ground behind the developments

i then plan to go into the skin science of what acctually happens when a blade passes over the skin, and the pros and cons of cartridge blades Vs straights,

then look into the makup and mecanics behind the blades, harder/softer metals, do cartridge blades flex more is so how much and is this good or bad,

then obviously mu conclusion.

Originally Posted by BigIan

we have to wright a 3000 word essay on any topic we choose.

Whatever subject you finally choose, it would be a good idea to brush up on your spelling and punctuation.

I currently have three:

GOINS ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CUTLERY MARKINGS by John & Charlotte Goins-Excellent for referencing a mfg of a razor, especially when trying to date or the origin of a razor.

American Premium Guide to KNIVES & RAZORS (not very impressed with it in regards to razors) Leans more towards Case & cutlery/knives IMO...not a lot about razors.

Standard Guide to Razors, Third Edition, Identification and Values (not bad & has pretty good reference material in the beginning of the book like: The History of Shaving, Razor Collecting, Just shaving, Handle Material Identification Guide, Dating Razors, and so on. The more I think about the OP, the more I think that this may have more of what you are looking for in regards to an essay. I bought mine from Amazon. Authors (2) are Roy Ritchie & Ron Stewart. This book is the smallest of the three at 255 pages. Good luck,
Scott

Originally Posted by welshwizard

Whatever subject you finally choose, it would be a good idea to brush up on your spelling and punctuation.

Unfortunatly I`m dyslexic, with a spelling age of a 9 year old and my hand wrighting is like that of a 6 year old, i tend to have 2 approached to punctuation either balistic where every other word has a comma, or no punctuation at all.

I have been working to improve this with mixed results, i often try to wright things in Ms word spell and grammer chack them before posting, but quite often its quite annoying to do so i don`t bother.

I do however check my work and have some one else read it before submitting it.

interesting topic. i can see where your going to need the refrences .....try looking up the history of dovo that might get you to a good start with your metals and tiemlines

It's not an academic study, but it is an excellent read and may give you a few pointers in terms of how to follow up in your essay. And at 6 quid it ain't gonna break the bank.

Sharp Practice: The Real Man's Guide to Shaving: Amazon.co.uk: Anders Larsen: Books

The author is a member of SRP, but has not posted in some time.

(A copy takes pride of place in my shave den, and when guests use the bathroom it's rare they can resist looking inside for a quick peek!)

Originally Posted by BigIan

I have been working to improve this with mixed results,

The important thing is that you are working hard and writing something.
Good presentation will help the person reading it.
Examiners have to read a lot of scripts when marking, so it pays to make the work easy to read.
Best of luck with your choice, the unusual subject should hold the examiner's interest.