Thread: Shumate Safe Guard - funky gimmick?

This may be old, but Search didn't turn up anything.

I was browsing ebay and just saw this:Shumate
Safe Guard


It looks like there's a rotating guard to prevent anything from touching the edge of the blade.

Anyone know what the deal is with this thing?

I have one of these razors in my collection in the original box. The guard has a collar that fits around the shank and a pin that fits into a recess in the end of the blade. It easily rotates around the blade to provide a buffer for the shaver. The scales are mother of pearl imitation in a pea green color. The overall lenght of the razor while open is 8.75" It is the only example of it's kind that I have run across in 35 years of collecting razors. I can supply jpgs if you like. jjaj@konnections.net
Sojourner

Many manufacturers made safety-type razors that had guards that either rotated from side-to-side or that slipped over the blade to supposedly protect the face from nicks and cuts. Genco, Curley, Weck, Durham and Litt are just a few of this type of razor. One of the earliest forms of safety razor was a heavy wedge called the Stewart's Plantagenet Guard Razor that had a comb-like safety attachment which was secured with a screw in the top of the spine. This came out in the 1840s. I have one of these razors, but unfortunately it is missing the guard.

Regards - Walt

Thanks for the help, I surfed the web and found a few references to the Safe Guard razor but found nothing that gave any information about the scarcety. It is a cleaver design, but evidently didn't catch on very well. Jon

I've seen one of those up close and personal. Forum member TheTopher had one and he posted a photo in the Shumate razor club forum here.

That Shumate is almost identical to the Genco "Safedge Model B" which I listed in the SRP Wiki. I wonder if they were working from the same patent design or if one or the other was producing the razors for both makers.

It is also very similar to the Curley's Ideal Safety Razor except that the Curley has a more sophisticated locking mechanism to hold the guard in place.

Regards - Walt

Thanks for that ad Walt.

I love the language on those old ads: "It's recommended by all kinds of esteemed people, and it's so easy that an invalid can use it!"

I have one made by Ideal. It is a little different but the same principle.

I appreciate the jpgs and references to other similar razors. Has anyone tried shaving with one of the safety razors? Jon

just a few shots of the Safe Guard. Jon