Thread: Newbie with a couple of Ross Razors circa 1930's Model 2A

Hi, I am not only new to this site, but new to the world of razors as well. Not that I don't use one, I have just never explored their history before. But after doing my research on the two razors found among my parents belongings I'm pretty impressed. I have enjoyed my little expedition into the history of the Rolls Razor No. 2A Imperial.

So here's what I think I know about this piece, and pictures of it so you can tell me if I'm right, close, or couldn't get a fact straight with a ruler.

Type of razor: Not a Safety Razor and not a straightedge razor, the ROLLS was called a "Guard Razor" (a.k.a. straightedge safety razor)

Year of Manufacture: Hard to discern with ROLLS, but supposedly the two digit stamp on the top of the blade is the year (in which case mine is a 1936, 1937 & 1938 - out of four blades 37 is the only repeat). I have also seen the red-orange outer case being dated to the 1930's as well.

Outer Case Exterior:
(1) Pebbled red leatherette over wood (no cardboard box with this one)
(2) on the outside top (centered) is gold colored stamp with the trademark in center ("The Wetter") with three horizontal lines on each side
(3) closure is a two bladed brass hasp, not a push button

Outer Case Interior:
(1) on the inside of top lid -

ROLLS RAZOR
No 2A IMPERIAL MODEL
AND
ONE SPARE BLADE
NICKEL PLATED WITH TELESCOPIC HANDLE

(2) on bottom piece at the front: MADE IN ENGLAND, ROLLS RAZOR, LTD. CRICKLEWOOD LONDON

Outer Case Contents:
(1) nickel plated Rolls Razor
(2) spare razor blade, in original wrapping
(3) nickel plated spare razor blade case

ROLLS RAZOR:
(1) nickel plated case
(2) nickel plated removable case covers ((1) stone & (1) strop)
(2a) nickel plated case covers design - art deco style Greek key design in three vertical rows
(2b) nickel plated case covers stamps - both have the number 2A within a circle, and the "The Wetter" trademark is on the stone cover, the strop cover has the stamp with ROLLS RAZOR LTD (1927) MADE IN ENGLAND (with a ton of pat. dates)
(3) blade sharpening mechanism
(4) razor blade (currently attached to sharpening mechanism) (oh, and the razor blades are hand engraved)

I know the ROLLS RAZOR is not a hard to find item. Heck, I'm bidding on one right now - just for the razor handle. Did I mention that I have two of these with one missing it's handle and case. However, what I did notice in my research is that the Model 2A seems to be a lot rarer and harder to find (there are none on eBay currently, and only two 2A's have been sold this year). And I even think I know why!

In the 30's the Model 2A was $15.00 whereas the Model 2 sold for $10.00. But whoever put the 2A set together and marketed it didn't do their math. The Model 2 @ $10.00 could be "upgraded" to a Model 2A for less than the price of a 2A (with the exception of the leatherette wood outer case). A spare blade was $2.50 and if you just had to have the telescopic handle they sold for $1.75 at the time. So just buy a Model 2, add a spare blade, and you just saved $2.50! And if you just had to have the telescopic handle, well you would have still saved .75 cent over the Model 2A (.75 cents meant a little more back then).

Now to make this post even longer tell me what you think about this thought. As I have two of these, one being in a lot better condition, wouldn't it make a great display to have the lower quality piece closed and sitting in the outer case (which hides all the defects on that piece) and have the other piece displayed open and showing off all it's beauty and mechanics. Of course that includes having one spare blade in its closed case in the outer case, while the other spare blade case is open and the blade, in the original wrapper, showing.

That was a lot longer post than I had planned. It's picture time!!

Thanks for posting this and welcome to the forum! I think Rolls Razors are hella cool, and just fun to play with. In fact, I'm long overdue to get mine back out of its cabinet to shave with.

It can be a bit of work to get those blades honed up properly. I just have one set, and my hone/strop are not in the best shape, so I hesitate to use them as designed (which means trying to hone and strop them manually, which is kind of awkward to do). Still, they're one of the coolest vintage shaving gadgets out there IMO, and can deliver a great shave. But as you've noticed, they're not that expensive, and it's probably worthwhile to get the best components out of a couple/few sets to make one perfect one and have some spares.

Again, welcome to the hobby (addiction, really). You picked a fun rabbit-hole to fall into. Now wait until you start collecting straights, DE's, brushes, hones, all the soaps and creams. Traditional shaving is a real money-saver haha! Have fun-Aaron/SHD

I just read your post and am impressed with your enthusiasm on the RollsRazor. This model was introduced in 1934/35 and was made at least until 1940.