The Felt Pad Razor Works

I had to go on a long trip yesterday and the highway I took is rife with antique stores so I stopped at about a half dozen of them looking for razors. After looking at dozens of the most trashed razors I have ever seen I found this and bought it for 18 bucks.

If it was ever used, it was used gently. There is no hone wear that I can see and there is no other appreciable wear and tear other than some light tarnish on the very top of the spine.

What really caught my attention though was that inside the scales there are two felt pads attached by the front pin and the center pin with a third rivet on each side in between. The shank is marked, "The Felt Pad Razor Works St. Louis, Mo." On the other side it says, "Pat. April 25, '05" and the odd word "Anseptic" is etched in the blade.

I did a little research and found the patent online which you can see here if you are interested.

I thought it was kind of unique and it appeared to be very well made. Have any of you had any experience with this razor or have any more information on it? A search for The Felt Pad Razor Works on google got me nothing but an old ebay listing.

Thanks,

Justin

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Nice find. I don't really see what purpose the felt pads would serve though. :shrug:

Well, according to the patent, the inventor's idea was to impregnate the felt with a combination antiseptic/rust inhibitor that would keep the blade rust and bacteria free. The pads in mine are dry, but if this razor is any indication the anti-rust part worked out OK.

In his patent he seemed to have the idea that the rust inhibition was a key to keeping the bade sharp as he felt that dulling razor blades were more a function of microscopic rust formation on the edge of the blade between shaves rather than than the hair... seems like kind of a wacky idea to me, but the razor is kind of cool.

that is really interesting and does kinda make sense to me.