Thread: Heljestrand: MK vs. Rex - What's the difference?

Here you go, with permission from the good folks at Royal Shave:

Originally Posted by TheGeorgePBurdell

Here you go, with permission from the good folks at Royal Shave:

Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm just seeing a Helje box with Rex razors in it. Does something on the Helje box say Rex / does something on the Rex razors say Helje? Don't take this the wrong way, but I have a Filly box I could fill with Genco razors in Genco coffins.

I'm just the messenger on the pictures. However, the outer carton says No. 3 - 5/8", and the Rex is a 5/8" with a "3" stamped on the rear side of the shank. Also, I've been searching, and I can't find anything on a Rex Razor Company in Eskilstuna. I found a Rex from New York in 1918, but nothing from Sweden. Does anyone know if there actually was a Rex company in Eskilstuna? It looks to me like my Rex is Helje made.

I agree with Dylan on this. While there may indeed be a connection between Heljestrand and Rex, the box above doesn't prove it. The sticker with the No 3 and 5/8" on it is stuck on, and could have been added at any time. It's still a possibility that RS found a bunch of Rex razors that were stored in a Heljestrand box. The fact that the box is marked MK makes this pretty likely.

While this is curious from a historical standpoint, of course, the shave will be great regardless of the manufacturer. I've had many Swedish blades, from many makers and they all shaved similarly (depending on size and grind, of course).

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Don't take this the wrong way, but I have a Filly box I could fill with Genco razors in Genco coffins.

Exactly.

In all probability the seller may have received them from Sweden like that. Having used several of each, I could not say one was better than the other; although REX seems to be a lesser known brand they are equally excellent.

You guys may be right. However, if Helje didn't make the Rex, who did? I still haven't found any record of any company named Rex existing in Eskilstuna.

REX made REX, the same way DOVO makes DOVO! REX is the manufacturer and in the example I gave above, '42' is the series.

Can you point me to a link that shows a Rex existed in Eskilstuna? I can't find any documentation of such a company. A mark on the shank doesn't mean there was a company with that name. Honda makes Honda, but Honda also makes Acura. I'm just trying to confirm there was actually a Rex company in Eskilstuna. I can't find any mention of it on the web.

This is a REX #3 fully 11/16 wide and brand new w/coffin.

I also have a Heljestrand and it is a very good shaver. I don't believe
I've ever heard anything bad about Swedish razors.

Just remembered I have another Rex. This is a hefty 13/16 GOLD REX.......
This one fits my hand perfectly. Thanks Justin.......