Thread: the shoulderless Shaving gang!!

My newly acquired old used "Dr. Balfanz" of Germany which was a name tag given to a razor exported to Japan mainly by the manufacturer. This one I acquired via the Bay for a song and as you can see is in great condition with the original scales as well.

Originally Posted by Michael70

My newly acquired old used "Dr. Balfanz" of Germany which was a name tag given to a razor exported to Japan mainly by the manufacturer. This one I acquired via the Bay for a song and as you can see is in great condition with the original scales as well.

So what do you think of it? I have had little luck in info, although it was speculated it was made by Dovo.
Anyway, they look likely so I bought one with a nice blade but with less than nice scales.

I suppose it reminded of the Japanese Rosette 40 and 80 I have which are crazy fast, effective, and nimble blades.
After a rescale and honing....we shall see!
Definitely a Japanese-style razor, I think.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

So what do you think of it? I have had little luck in info, although it was speculated it was made by Dovo.
Anyway, they look likely so I bought one with a nice blade but with less than nice scales.

I suppose it reminded of the Japanese Rosette 40 and 80 I have which are crazy fast, effective, and nimble blades.
After a rescale and honing....we shall see!
Definitely a Japanese-style razor, I think.

One shave on it and it was great and quite honestly one of my better shaves. You can tell it was once in the hands of some Japanese owner or barber. Reason being I have heard the Japanese will hone a razor like a round toe up around the toe just a bit and mine certainly was. Not sure why they do that. But I would certainly pick up another if opportunity presents itself.

Yours has nice looking steel there my friend. You can always get it re-scaled as you know. I wonder if you could find an original set to put on it if you like those????

Certainly a great shaver.

Originally Posted by Michael70

One shave on it and it was great and quite honestly one of my better shaves. You can tell it was once in the hands of some Japanese owner or barber. Reason being I have heard the Japanese will hone a razor like a round toe up around the toe just a bit and mine certainly was. Not sure why they do that. But I would certainly pick up another if opportunity presents itself.

Yours has nice looking steel there my friend. You can always get it re-scaled as you know. I wonder if you could find an original set to put on it if you like those????

Certainly a great shaver.

Here it is with the Rosette 40 and 80 (cannot tell a difference?), which were NOS and shaved a dream right out of the box.
The Rosettes are a bit wider and shorter and, as I understand, designed by R. Saito for use in his many haircutting/barber schools in Japan to be the easiest to use.
Certainly he hit the mark as the buggers will shave circles around most. Like the 'Porsche' of razors, IMO.
Hopefully, the Dr. Balfanz will be similar?

I have quite a few shoulderless razors, but these two W&B's are my favorite.

This Celebrated is virtually untouched, almost NOS when I got it except the scales were shot.



And this FBU

Yes, the old rattler-grinds are definitely in the shoulderless category, such as this old John Clarke made for Harley of Haymarket in Liverpool.