Thread: 'Ran-tan-ka-rus' Red Devil?

So i found a Red Devil razor at an antique shop and i can't find anything about them.

I really should post a picture of it but i don't have a camera handy at the moment.

The razor came with its original box which is red and has a devil stamped into the full length of the box. There is an anchor with an SH across it and says fully warranted.

The razor handle itself is plain black plastic with no markings on it. On one side of the tang there is a stamping ' Ran-tan-ka-rus '

Just looking for any information i can possibly get on it.

Something like this one?

Also this from here:

JOHN ENGSTROM
ESKILSTUNA Sweden
ca. 1874-1918 LAST PATENT DATE IS 1881.
Model "Ran-tan-Ka-rus Red Devil"

Yezzir, that rehab is the one, The blade form is identical. The Ran-tan-Ka-rus is there on the tang and underneath it RED DEVIL is stamped in the same style of writing...although the writing does look smaller but that could be a trick of the eyes.

On the opposite side of the tang its blank where the re-furb has the Joh-Engstrom and arrow stamping and no numbers. Heh?

It also seems to have some sort of clear-ish blackish lacqure on the steel.

If i might add to this, if anyone else has any experience shaving with these blades or if its something of value? ...i was originally thinking to use it but thats up in the air.

Enjoy! My Kan-tan-Ka-rus is an excellent shaver. I really like the Swedish razors. I have five of them and they are all great shavers.

Regards - Walt

The one in the like above is my razor. Still have it but I have not shaven with it. Go figure. It was a new, unhoned blade and I have kept it like that. I saw one on eBay go for around 150. I am going to have to hone it and try it out one day, but the steel 'feels' good. Hard to explain but they way it buffed and just the feel of the steel reminded me a lot of W&B steel. A little soft but very smooth. I would imagine it shaves very good.

Awesome. I picked it up for 50. The blade is in great shape...i wouldn't imagine its been honed more than twice but im new to this. Overall the blade has very little blemishes. It seems like it has some sort of clearish coating over it and no pitting as near as my naked eye can tell.
Im working on my honing skills and after tonight i think i got the nack so i think ill tackle the red devil soon.
Ill post my results when i get around to it!

Here is mine. Got it off of the bay. Thought the scales must be replacements but I've since seen the same scales on a couple of others. I've also seen the same blade with black scales with a silver devil inlaid in the scales. Good shaver and a fun honing job.

I have one with the plain black scales and original red box. The razor is in very good condition, not so much the box. I have not honed mine, but I like the sway back.

Chris L