Thread: Well I'm sure this will throw a few for a loop...

Josephs Rodger's "The Perfect Razor"?


When I bid on this, they never showed the blade up close. I figured I was bidding on a Depew's. Once it arrived I was shocked to find it is actually a Joseph Rodgers. Check out the pics...



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It's a shame most of the markings are gone now but crazy huh. So now I'm wondering. Did Joseph Rodgers originally come up with the perfect razor? Did they simply knock it off? Were they the one's who made it for depews?

We discussed this topic, but to find real answer is difficult. But I try.

I've never owned one of those vintage DePews with the long monkey tail. I recall reading that the cutting edge is shorter than standard on the DePews version. Something like 2 or 2 1/4" . That version was etched "The Perfect Razor" so I guess the maker or designer thought that a longer monkey tail and a shorter cutting edge was a more efficient and maybe ergonomic design.

So I wonder if the J. Allen and the Jos Rodgers versions were also a shorter cutting edge and finally what the mechanics of the shave feel like with one of those ? Manipulating the thing I mean.

Thanks for pointing this thread out Manah. Sometimes it's darn near impossible to find these threads.


Jimmy,
The cutting edge on this one sits right at 2 1/4". As far as the short cutting edge and whether it is easier to shave with, I can only make an educated guess for now. It seems that most people use the toe and the heel for most parts of their shave depending on where they are shaving. . . Cheek, sideburns, trimming up along a goatee etc. I can see where this design has an edge when going for a clean detailed shave. It also is shaped nice to get into the hollow of your neck for a side to side pass where a normal sized razor needs to be used in a scything motion to overcome it's difficulties. In the days where most could afford maybe one or two razors, this design may in fact have been "perfect" but it takes a little getting used to in order to really use it to your advantage. Today we tend to use many different razors and don't take the time to learn a particular razor.

I can't answer your questions, but I will say that that's a very cool razor. Nice snag.

Originally Posted by FatboySlim

I can't answer your questions, but I will say that that's a very cool razor. Nice snag.

Thanks! I actually dig it quite a bit more now that I realized just how Rare this one is. She's definitely a keeper.

I have one of those Rogers with the long monkey tail and yes it has a shorter blade and though it's a great shaver I don't like the ergonomics of it. You have to change the way you hold the thing which I find very awkward.