Thread: Is there only one handle style for a Rolls Razor?

While visiting my grandfather up in northern California this last weekend, I stumbled upon a good condition Rolls Razor for $20. I shaved with it for the first time today and I have to say, I like it :-D it gave me a bbs face with no nicks. I was wondering though, did they ever make different handles for it? It seems a little to small/thin for me. Maybe I need to just get used to it, or maybe I will make a larger thicker handle. Has anyone ever had any luck with that? Also, has anyone ever had any luck, or a better shave by taking the guard off of the blade?

I wish that I had the exact answer for you, but I don't know.
Let me share with you my Rolls Razor Handle story, please.

I was in a local antique store about 6 months ago hunting straights, never ownered a Rolls, but saw them everywhere. I saw this nice clean Rolls for $30.00. I commented that the price was great to the little old lady who owned the shop. She smiled and said to me, "That's because, it's been waiting for you all this time." I eagerly scooped it up & thanked her as I left. She just smiled and waved at me as I left.

I got home and tried for an hour & 1/2 to get the razor handle out of the silver frame. Almost broke it out. Then I gave up & found some Rolls Razor instructions online. As it turned out, that silver looking handle was not a handle, but part of the frame used to hone & strop the blade. I had bought a Rolls Razor without a handle.

Everyday I have to drive by that antique store on the way to my kid's school. I still see that little old lady smiling at me.

I learned about Rolls Razors first, before I bought my "Second" one.

I've been told there's a guy like me born every minute.

Here's a photo of my first handleless Rolls:

I own a 1952 and a 1939 vintage Rolls; the handle size are almost identical; the only difference is in the locking mechanism holding the blade. I caution you not to remove the blade guard since it is there to protect the blade when you set it down to relather/apply AS etc, etc. The handle is small because the razor including the handle needs to fit into the metal box; I have big ham hands and got used to using it after a couple of shaves. HOG

I think there are three handle variations:

Imperial No. 1: telescopic handle, silver-plated?
Imperial No. 2: solid handle, nickel plated.
Imperial No.3: solid handle, stainless steel.

I wouldn't have thought that the 'c' grip on each handle is different, but I don't know for sure!











The one in the third pic is the telescopic variety, I think. Some of the others unscrew, so you could perhaps use the head to make a custom handle with if it is of this type.

Regards,
Neil

There are about 10 of these floating around the antique shops here in Nova Scotia. I've been reluctant to buy them, prices ranging from $15 to $30 depending on condition, a few that look MINT, because I'm not interested in shaving with one and don't know if I could sell them, with shipping, and at least get my money back.

They all seem to have the same handle!

I'll tell ya they are just too neat to pass up owning one. The blades hone up nice on the same hones as your straights. They really shave well too even though you look like you are using an adze on you face while using one.

Bob