Thread: The Boker Brotherhood

Böker 15/16

IIRC, I think BobH may have posted this somewhere on here too, but I think this is also an appropriate place to post it as well. These photos have been taken from a Boker booklet that often came with some of the old Boker razors. So here's how Boker tells you to shave.

On the first side of the booklet,




And on the second side of the booklet.



Dang, thats hard to read. How do I make these pics bigger??

I tell you what, Ill just write the last 4 pages out for you.

STROPPING THE "KING CUTTER"

It is neccessary to use a good strop with a good razor

We do NOT favor the use of a swing strop because of its flexibility.

It is impossible to hold a swing strop taught enough, so, that it will not give way under stropping pressure, thereby tending to round and dull the edge.

Should you posses a swing strop. place it flat on a table. close to the edge, in order to ensure a flat surface.

Our experience has taught us that the only good form of strop is the-

BLOCK RAZOR STROP

This is made from a solid piece of wood with leather fastened to both sides in such a manner as to produce a perfectly level surface.

If you use a good Block strop perfectly, you will not need to hone a "KING CUTTER" Razor, or to have it reset. Your razor will always be in perfect condition.

The strop must be kept clean, smooth and soft at all times. If the leather becomes dry, a little lather applied with the brush will soften it again.

We have a good special dressing for Razor strops which we can thoroughly recommend.

HOW TO STROP

The BACK of the razor is the exact gauge for the edge, therefore in stropping-

Lay the razor razor flat on the strop diagonally, that is both edge and back touching the strop simultaneously.

Then draw the blade from heel to point over the strop. Then turn the razor on its back and draw towards you again from heel to point. 5 or 6 strokes on the strop usually will be sufficient to obtain a good edge.

If you follow these instructions, you will never have a problem keeping your Razor in perfect condition.

PREPARING FOR A SHAVE

When preparing for a shave, it is alway advisable to wash the face with warm water, so as to remove any dust or grit which may have been deposited by air or wind.

Then lather the face well, using good shaving soap and warm water, and apply the lather with a good shaving brush.

If you have a wiry beard and tender skin rub the lather well in, leaving it creamy and thick on the face.

HOW TO SHAVE WELL

Always draw the razor in the same direction as the natural growth of the hair, that is

generally downward

If you do not do this you will find it difficult to get a clean shave or will shave yourself too close, with the danger of developing ingrown hair.

Always draw the skin upwards and above the part to be shaved.

This will help you considerably to do clean work.

Do your shaving close to a mirror and good light. You should see clearly what you are doing.

Strop the razor immediately after shaving in order to remove moisture which may be left on the edge and rust the razor while not in use.

Geez, I nearly went blind before I paged down and saw that you kindly typed it all out for us. Interesting that it recommends only five or six strokes on the strop. We are all doing about ten times that much.

Ya, and throw your hanging strops away, they're no good. You only need a cheap paddle strop cause its perfectly flat.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Ya, and throw your hanging strops away, they're no good. You only need a cheap paddle strop cause its perfectly flat.

Damn those pesky hanging strops! just binned mine!

Thanks HARRYWALLY and no problem, I just zoomed in on it.

This is interesting because recently after I was through shaving with my Grampa's razor and had it dried, I was going to put it in the coffin box. Well, this time it didn't fit in all the way so I looked inside and there was a wad of paper balled up in the bottom. I took a long tweezer to pull it out and I found the original wrapper with the instructions. I couldn't believe it, for 45 years my razor slipped in with out catching this paper until now. I had no idea that Grampa had it in there.

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Böker 15/16

This is is rare. You don't see Bokers of this size very often. Nice find.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

This is is rare. You don't see Bokers of this size very often. Nice find.

Nice find. I have a really nice Boker Imperial which is in here somewhere & I think it is a 6/8.