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Hi Guys,
I am looking for a few razor coffins. The coffins at Classic Shaving are back ordered and Chrisgiraffe isn't taking new orders. Ideally I would like to find some coffins as inexpensive as Classic's - I am not sure I will be keeping all of these razors. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Eric
They do turn up on ebay occasionally.
Here some suggestions:
MESSER RÖDTER Solinger Fachgeschäft mit Schleiferei gegr. 1909 - Kochmesser Messer Scheren Rasiermesser Shop
Tasche Dovo für 1 Rasiermesser - MESSER RÖDTER Solinger Fachgeschäft mit Schleiferei gegr. 1909 - Kochmesser Messer Scheren Rasiermesser Shop
ZUb. Rasiermesser Etui - MESSER RÖDTER Solinger Fachgeschäft mit Schleiferei gegr. 1909 - Kochmesser Messer Scheren Rasiermesser Shop
Good hunting!
Thanks Kees, this company is new to me. I like that red coffin- very cool looking. I will keep these in mind for some of my definite keepers.
I would still be interested in a source for less expensive coffins (like the 4 dollar ones at classic shaving) for some of my "project" razors if anyone has any info.
Thanks,
Eric
You could try making your own out of paper mache. I reckon it could be done, but I have not given it a lot of thought, I must admit.
James.
It's on my to do list.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
Chris L
Good one Chris. I guess the biggest problem is coming up with the frame? The mache-ing part is probably easy enough. Finishing it off so it did not look like painted newspaper is probably another issue I suppose. (My last foray into paper mache was at about age 8 - we made a mask using a balloon, newspaper, glue, and non-toxic paint.... :p)
James.
I think the frame would be easy enough; a piece of wood the size of the interior of a selected vintage coffin would work as a frame.
My first step once I get around to this is soaking one of the many razor coffins I have to purposely dismantle it into its separate pieces. Then recreate one from those cut pieces.
The bigger challenge that I'd want to try to duplicate would the the great old black Sheffield coffins found with W&Bs, Joseph Elliot's etc. Those seem to be constructed differently than the plainer non-coffin shaped "coffins". The old Sheffield coffins almost look like very thin layers of paper were wrapped around the form (like papier mache) and hardened. The plainer coffins look to be layers of cardboard glued around the form and a thin decorative surface paper wrapped and glued to the outside. I've seen one or two Sheffield coffins where parts of the coffin were in very good condition and they seemed to have a glossy black surface. Then you get into the raised logos, etc on the Sheffield coffins that are really great. Were the coffins with raised logos, borders and designs pressed into a die?
Very cool stuff.
Chris L
Alright! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
Paper Mache coffins, here I come. Thanks Chris :bow
James.
Pictures, Jimbo. We'll need pictures from you!!
Chris L
Eric, Which razor brands' coffins do you need? Some of us might have extras or vacant coffins to sell or trade. If you have a razor with the proper brand box or coffin, it is worth more for the next owner. Once I had a Shumate coffin with the original shaving instructions and warranty crammed down inside to act as a cushion to prevent the monkey tail from poking a hole in the box. Possibly. That was a neat find to see the 1920's font and hype. My first Wade & Butcher came with the original coffin. It was very old and had a faint smell of the soap used plus a tobacco scent. It ended up with a Mexican War and Civil War study group. Ironically, none of them use a straight razor; therefore, it is just a collector piece to be handled and passed around. In addition, it was fortunate that I had documentation of who the past owner was. Good luck. I hope you can match razor with coffin. Robert
I use toothbrush tubes from Wal-Mart for shipping razors and when I'm traveling. They are 50¢ and they are more durable then the regular coffins.
Thanks guys,
Timberr59 - Thanks for the advice to post the razors looking for a box. I am working on a few of these and not sure I want to go through the trouble matching these out. I will keep your suggestion in mind.
Kenrup - that's what I was looking for. I needed a cheap solution to keep these things from bouncing around. Going down to CVS now.
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fitzer
CVS wanted $2.00 for theirs. I found better at Wally World for $.50
I got some toothbrush holders and they are really long. Are there shorter holders out there so my razors won't rattle around, or should I just stick some scrap cloth at the ends to "shorten" them?
Not to keep this going forever... but I saw some eyeglass cases (tubes the cheap reader eyeglasses come in) that looked like they could fit, though maybe tightly. Just a thought.
Thanks again everyone.
Hi Jimbo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbo
I've had some similar thoughts to you and Chris, of making some . The question I have is where did the thought of paper mache' enter? Am I missing something? I have only 4 or 5 boxes, no coffins- but none are made of paper mache'- that is if I understand: mache' has plaster of paris. Mine are only paper-card board.
I've been lazy in investigating but i was considering picture frame mat board/ and or acid-free paper
One thing holding me back is the realization I can even make a decently wrapped christmas gift- i'd nver figure out how to do the ends:gl:
I've heard the term papier mache used to describe using strips of paper dunked in a water/paste slurry.
The old black Sheffield coffins ((I would assume that's where the nickname came from since the black boxes are coffin shaped) when examined closely look to be made with thin sheets of paper formed around a stiffer cardboard inner layer. And, they're much stiffer than the typical razor cardboard/paper coffins prevalent at later dates. My guess is the process to make the Sheffield coffins was more labor intensive. It just seems like they were made using a different process than the traditional paper razor box.
Chris L
Chris L - I have a few old Sheffield coffins where you can actually see the edges of the strip of paper wound spirally around the inner box. The interesting thing is that the embossed design runs over the edges of the paper, therefore it must have been added after the outer paper was put on (and still damp, I would have thought).
Perhaps they used a "former" like the old camera-bellows makers used - a wooden blank the same dims as the inside of the box. The stiff card could be placed over it, then the whole lot bound with the outer tape, then embossed while the former was still in place to give it rigidity?
You could even papier mache over the whole former (like kids used to do with balloons at school - do they still do that?), let it dry (I suppose the former would have to be waxed or something to prevent sticking) then cut it along the joint. A card collar could be glued into place in one end, left protruding so you could slide the other end onto it.
The embossing would have to be a bit of a workaround. The plate wouldn't have to be that strong - perhaps epoxy resin could be used to make a cast?
Stage 2 would be an attempt at the double coffins!
Might give it a try one of these days...
Regards,
Neil.
I apologize in advance for veering the threat - anyone ever worry about old cardboard coffins being a disinfection problem? Got a couple old unused razors (engstrom and friodur) - sterilized the razors in barbicide and you'd never guess they weren't new. The boxes are functional, cool to look at but they look like they came from the time of moses. Its fun to use them, but any worries there might be germs in the boxes that are going to get onto the freshly cleaned blade? my guess is no - air is a good disinfectant.
No worries. Really nasy bugs like HIV, hep. B & C do not survive very long outside the human body. Common molds and bacteria do not pose a health threat. I never sterilize used razors.
I've cut some then grind the male end to fit. It works but not worth the effort. I will sometimes wrap a paper towel around then. When I ship razors, I wrap them in waxed paper then twist the ends to make a tail that keeps them from rattling around.Quote:
Originally Posted by loueedacat
I checked today: Classic Shaving coffins are marked in stock!Quote:
Originally Posted by fitzer