Thread: history and info on hess hair milk lab razors

Looking to get a near mint hess hair milk lab razor in near mint only minor surface rust near tang the rest of the razor is mirror polished and straight as can be with no chips cracks pitting or anything for pretty cheap. Are hess razors generally nice shavers and are they sought after at all? Also what time frame did the company produce razors from? Judging from the history of the company from what i can tell these razors dont appear that antique or am I wrong? Any info helps thank you.

Ive been wanting a duble duck but the hess would be less out of pocket and looks similar will the hess produce as good of shave as a dubl duck, and is it built just as well?

Don't know anything about the history of them, but pretty certain they are great shavers. Best way is to do a search here.

I have done a search and cant really find anything on history or production dates

If you search Hess, and see what other members are saying about quality of the shaves they are getting is a good indication. If the price is right, i would be all over it, Dubl Ducks are great razors too, but very popular at the moment, and you pay accordingly. There is some info on this thread.

Here is the Milk Men club here on SRP look at post #9 & 11
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...oratories.html

From http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...k_Laboratories

Logo Hess
Name Hess Hair Milk Laboratories
Location Roseville, Minnesota
Dates of Operation 1921-Present
External Links Hess Hair Milk Lab, Roseville, MN | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Owners Unknown
Uploads

And a bit more here
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...s_%2299%22_5/8

And the main Hess page in the wiki here
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...k_Laboratories

Hope that gets you some information and a start.

RandyDance on SRP has done a ton of research into this company..


I have collected them for some time, there are a little known brand when compared to the big names..


The particular one is probably the keenest edge I have ever honed

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...e-acrylic.html

I bought a nice Hess not long ago for a very reasonable price. Was in process of cleaning blade up when all of the sudden.......'ting!' that dreaded sound you never want to hear. Applied a bit too much pressure.......it's too depressing to talk about

I think I remember some dude claiming that the Hess razors were among the finest out there a bunch of years ago. Most are from that old extra hollow era and the blades hone up nicely and shave very well. I am thinking a near mint Hess for cheap is a pretty tall order, but you never know. I would have a hard time letting any of mine go.

Randy, definitely is an expert as he has been to the old Hess location a bunch of times. Actually, I heard he bought the place.......just kiddin' Randy!

Have fun.

I enjoy the HESS razors I have. The Frozen Steel are as good or better than the Friodors. And, yes, Randy is the expert! And, he did buy out the old stock!
~Richard