Thread: The Duram Duplex

Just an observation,Im sure most of us have looked on e-bay for razors once in a while,the question is was there a point in history that they were given away? Seems like there are a neverending supply of them,but Ive never heard of anyone using one. Anyone tried one? Or know where to get some blades,Ive heard that they have replacment carpet cutting blades that fit,but....I dont know what they would feel like on your face. Anybody?

Everyone that I've got through buying groups of razors has gone in the bin. They obviously made a fair number of them but I think their day has been and gone. I always laugh when you see one on ebay listed as a rare collectors item and a Buy It Now price of $150.

I have shaved with one using an original NOS blade and tried it with a new carpet cutter blade. Neither one was a good or comfortable shave.

Step 2 for me was to put on the stropping attachment that came with the razor and work a little on both blades. They were a little better, but still pretty rough for me.

I have a couple of them that came with a group buy. One has the original box and extra blades. As far as shaving with one, I think I"ll pass. If I wanted to shave with one though, I would have to do something about the blades. One of the blades I have is NOS and is nowhere near shave ready.

Believe it or not that outfit bought Wade & Butcher and some of the production was distributed by them. I have a W&B DE razor made in ..... of all places .... Jersey City, NJ when Durham owned them. I have always hated their "straights" though I've never owned one. Years ago I would go to ebay looking for straights and sellers would list them as rare straight razor with ivory handles. I'd open the link and see one of those ugly, useless box cutters.

I see them regularly on flea-markets over here in Europe too. I've looked at a few and never been tempted. They strike me as a 'K-Tel' type gadget. The kind that every household bought one of, tried it and then consigned to the bottom drawer.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Believe it or not that outfit bought Wade & Butcher and some of the production was distributed by them. I have a W&B DE razor made in ..... of all places .... Jersey City, NJ when Durham owned them. I have always hated their "straights" though I've never owned one. Years ago I would go to ebay looking for straights and sellers would list them as rare straight razor with ivory handles. I'd open the link and see one of those ugly, useless box cutters.

I love that also, RARE ! as rare as cars with four wheels..lol - thats it ! they were the Ginsu of straights,thats why there are so many.

Ha, I always figured the Durham was a hair-thinning device, the kind used by beauticians/barbers now. My mother is a hair dresser and has something similar looking to the Durham. I guess when safety razors started to take off, Durham figured they'd just slap a guard on a straight.

I have a few that I received in lots...they are usually to trim my long hair persian cats.

YEAH !!! Never thought about that, but I don"t think my cat would stand all the pulling, snagging, tugging that these alligator toothed monsters must have provided! Best, wildhog