Thread: Double edged straight?

Hey fellas, I was perusing a junk shop yesterday and encountered a double edged straight razor. It had a spine-like projection that ran the length of the blade down the center (one on each side), with a hollow ground blade on each side; so, if you look at the end profile of the blade, it would be diamond shaped with the long points hollow ground. The tang was stamped 'DeVine Safety Razor'. It had some pretty nice celluloid scales, which were extra large to accommodate this wide and thick blade. Has anyone ever seen one of these? An internet search hasn't turned up anything. This has been pretty intriguing, and any info is greatly appreciated.

Never heard of it but if it has two blades it's probably some specialized hair shaper type thing. Just my guess without a picture.

What you saw was a guarded safety razor made by the Devine Safety Razor Co. of Chicago, IL. This razor was patented in 1913 and shared the general features of many of the transitional razors of that period. The comb-like safety guard that slipped over the blade was intended to keep the razor at the proper angle to prevent nicks and cuts. The one you saw may not have had this guard, since you didn't mention it. That were a slew of razors around the turn of the 20th century that were billed as safety razors, such as Weck, Durham Duplex, etc. Here is a portion of Devine's patent application.

Regards - Walt

Interesting design. I guess it didn't win out over the traditional straight razors.

Pabster

Looks similar to the Durham Duplex's that you see on eBay sometimes.

Anyone here ever shaved with something like that? I've seen loads of pics, spotted a couple at antique markets but never actually used one.

Originally Posted by Stubear

Anyone here ever shaved with something like that?

I have never used the Devine, but I have shaved with many of the the transitional razors. If any razor I buy has a usable edge, I will try it out just for the experience. I have tried razors by Durham, Curley, Ejectoblade, Safedge, Litt, NuKut, Ward and Weck to name a few. Also hoe-type razors by Christy, Enders, Auto Strop, Durham and Weck. They're certainly not my "go-to" blades, but I think it's fun to experiment with the razors our fathers and grandfathers might have used. Below is an actual photo of the Devine Guarded Safety Razor that is the main topic of this thread. (Photo from Collector's Encyclopedia)

Regards - Walt

Originally Posted by Walt

I have never used the Devine, but I have shaved with many of the the transitional razors. If any razor I buy has a usable edge, I will try it out just for the experience. I have tried razors by Durham, Curley, Ejectoblade, Safedge, Litt, NuKut, Ward and Weck to name a few. Also hoe-type razors by Christy, Enders, Auto Strop, Durham and Weck. They're certainly not my "go-to" blades, but I think it's fun to experiment with the razors our fathers and grandfathers might have used. Below is an actual photo of the Devine Guarded Safety Razor that is the main topic of this thread. (Photo from Collector's Encyclopedia)

Regards - Walt

Yep, that's the same one that I saw, but without the guard. I was wondering why it was called a safety razor, now it all makes sense. I'm assuming that it can be used without the guard? Does anyone know how well these take an edge? Thanks for all of the help-- I knew somebody out there would know something. You guys are the best!

no idea how it would well an edge you could get but looks like it be tricky to strop

Originally Posted by janivar123

no idea how it would well an edge you could get but looks like it be tricky to strop

According to the patent information there was a guard provided with the razor to allow normal stropping. But, it looks as though the actual blade is shaped like a microtome with a chisle-like bevel rather than a normal two edged bevel which would make it even trickier to hone and strop as well as shave with.

From the patent:
"When it is desired to strop the blade, the guard is removed
and the stropping guard is slipped over one edge of the blade
so that in moving the razor back and forth over the strop the
under edge will engage the same and the opposite edge will be
prevented from cutting into the strop."

Regards - Walt

I think you might be able to rig up a homemade guard of some type to keep one edge covered while stropping or honing the other side. Just somthing simple to cover the blade your not working on so you don't damage the blade or your strop, let us know if you come up with something and how it shaves if you do.