Thread: The Palmer

Picked up a new razor at a flea market for $3.00 the other day. The only markings were "The Palmer" Chicago & the number 21. I figure it must have been from the famous Palmer House Hotel. It has faux turtle scales & looks well made It had a small chip out of the point of the razor so I rounded it a bit & it looks great. Just getting to work on the edge as it was very dull so I am going to start with my 1K Shapton Pro & start over.I am still looking for a good 5-6K hone I really like. Thinking of staying with the Shapton Pro series as with this razor I have really liked what the 1K did to the bevel & how fast it did it.

Slawman

I really enjoyed my stay at The Palmer House back in the mid '90s working on an issue for Peoples Gas Light & Coke. Fortunately for me, the RF consultant we had hired for some interference work also happened to manage the AM broadcast array atop the John Hancock building. He showed me the broadcast equipment he had designed and built on the 92nd floor as well as giving me full access to the roof! Nothing like staring off the edge of a 1,000 foot drop with zero safety barriers. This was by far the most enjoyable business trip I had besides that 1-week visit to Oahu (those poor folks only work half-days).

If you can exercise patience, you may find a good deal on a 5-6k hone here on B/S/T. Took me a few years, but I did manage to score a nice SG20k here for one-third off of MSRP.

Ive got a Palmer in my collection. The idea of keeping things from a hotel room is long gone. Back then it was normal/expected. Now days...

I was wondering if it was from their Barber Shop?? Looks to be a high quality German made razor. Might be a Sheffield But a lot of the razors I have from Chicago seem to be Soligen made.

Slawmeister

My understanding was, it was one of the items left for you to use in the bathroom, along with most all bathroom stuff. I could be wrong about that. In the old days lots of stuff was encluded in your nights stay. Although the barber shop is also a possibility. Good thinking.

I have two Palmers. They are very good shavers. Home it up and enjoy.

Could you post a few pics?

I've stayed at the Palmer House a number of different times, without a doubt my favorite downtown Hotel. It doesn't hurt having Miller's Pub within staggering distance of the hotel.

Little update! I am having more problems setting the bevel on this razor than any one of the 50 or so I have! Used my Shapton Pro 1K. & my King 1K. & just can't get the bevel set. The blade is straight & appears to be in good condition. It has a 17* bevel angle. Watched all the videos & still no clue why I can't get it set.

Give it a break and come back to it. Sometimes its just bad steel and you have to cut away some before you get to the good stuff. Although, i recently had one i couldnt get right. I spend many hours on the stones trying for a bevel set and just couldnt get it. I sent mine to Glen. Got it back ready to go. I figured he probably saved a bit of steel that i would have wasted. Mine was americen steel i believe. Not a Palmer.

I just tried some 2K sand paper I had laying around, minutes later I had a nice bevel.Up to 8K King at the moment & yes I "CAN" shave with it but pulls pretty bad. Next up is some nice 12K mesh cloth I got last week & then the 16K. Shapton glass I think. I will post when I get it done.

Slawman