Thread: J.R. Torrey on razor use and care

I copied this photo of Torrey Razor Company's instructions from an ebay auction. The most interesting part for me is the suggestion to dip the razor in hot water before putting it to your face. An old barber had told me that many years ago. I have been trying it here lately and it really seems to improve my shave.

The other thing is giving the blade a few strokes on the strop when you are finished to remove moisture and prevent rust. This is something else old Frank Natale ,the barber, told me back then. Maybe he had a Torrey and read the same instructions at some point of perhaps that was just the commonly known and accepted method back then.

I like to do ten round trips on the strop after I wipe the blade with tissue at the end of the shave. I figure there may be microscopic bits of skin and hair in the striations and the strop will clean them out. I then wipe my blade with a rust preventative.

Note the comment that persons not adept in the handling of razors condemning the razor when the fault lies in the unskilful use of it. Some things never change.

Ive got those same instructions in One of my Torrey razor boxes and like you I thought , some things never change! Its a good read.

"Persons who are not adepts in the handling of razors are apt to complain that their razors do not shave well, and are liable to condemn a good one, when the fault lies not in the razor, but in the unskilful use of it."

If I was a honemeister, I'd have the above quote cited and added as my signature line.

You beat me to it, I was also going to say the same thing. Some things never change!!

Chris L

I also found the blade selection suggestions interesting. For a heavy coarse beard a too thin blade should not be used unless someone is somewhat of an expert in handling the razor. Also that holding it at a right angle to the skin and scraping will only irritate the skin, spoil the edge and cause the best razor to fail.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I also found the blade selection suggestions interesting. For a heavy coarse beard a too thin blade should not be used unless someone is somewhat of an expert in handling the razor. Also that holding it at a right angle to the skin and scraping will only irritate the skin, spoil the edge and cause the best razor to fail.

I do believe this is true as well. I actually think that regardless of beard type, it takes more skill to shave with a full hollow blade than a thicker grind.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The most interesting part for me is the suggestion to dip the razor in hot water before putting it to your face. An old barber had told me that many years ago. I have been trying it here lately and it really seems to improve my shave.

I've been doing this from my beginning with either a straight or DE razor. I dislike the cold feeling of the metal as it touches my skin for the first time, especially when I've taken the effort to prep with a hot shower and heated lather.

Words of wisdom, free with each razor. Great value

It's interesting that some manufacturers provided instructions with their razors. My Kropp razor box has similar but less detailed instructions.
The basic thing about angle & lather is so simple but how many get it right ?

That was a good read...oh to live int he age of truth and quality.If you wrote instructions like that today on a product,someone would have a PC fit ha.

I received about the same instructions from the old barber who helped me out when i first started.

He was also a big believer in stroping two or three strokes on the heel of the hand after regular stropping.