Thread: Shaving from the 1920s

I was at Hearst Castle on the CA central coast this past weekend and got a few shots of very vintage shaving equipment. Pictures are a little blurry because you're not allowed to use a flash in the buildings, but clear enough. Enjoy!

My dear Bromion,

Thank you for those delightful pictures. That's a double edge razor, is it not?

Yes, there was a time when men spent more than 30 seconds on their daily shave. They used quality instruments for the task, too.

Then modern men invaded the world and pushed plastic guillotines and vile foamy substances spewing from cans as the best way to shave.

Oh . . . ?

Fortunately, gentlemen shavers have held heads high and logic sharp.

A straight razor, a brush and a puck of soap may be archaic in the annals of shaving, but I'll take a Pearce Arrow over a Pinto anytime.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

My dear Bromion,

Thank you for those delightful pictures. That's a double edge razor, is it not?



Obie

I believe that is an old single edge ever ready type razor Obie

In one of those 3 pictures there is an anachronism that sticks out like a sore thumb! Can anyone point it out?

Originally Posted by JMS

In one of those 3 pictures there is an anchronism that sticks out like a sore thumb! Can anyone point it out?

Are you referring to the new plumbing on the toilet? : )

I couldn't move the things around (no touchy!), but yeah, single edge safety razor. There were a few other interesting items in the house, but because you can't use flash, it was impossible to get a picture.

Jason

the Royal Flushometer was invented in 1906. Would it have been in wide use in the 1920's?

My dear JMS,

Single edge razor, eh? Thanks for pointing that out. I had forgotten about them.

You have good eyes as well as an expert's knowledge.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

My dear JMS,

Single edge razor, eh? Thanks for pointing that out. I had forgotten about them.

You have good eyes as well as an expert's knowledge.

Regards,

Obie

Obie, I don't think it's the single edge razor. Gem patented one in 1912, and it would seem strange that they waited until the 30s or later to bring it to market. The only thing that I can think of is the guy in the mirror (or his camera)

Thanks for the pictures bromion!

I'm surprised you manged to get a decent pic it was dark as hell when I saw Hearst Castle, they wouldn't let light in because it would fad the tapestry. I didn't care for it there they were very bossy and you couldn't really see anything, the movie you see before you go in was probably the best part (they use that low angle to make that high dive seem tall as heck didn't they).

Try the winchester house much better and the guides are awesome

I actually just got a gem and tried it yesterday Very interesting feel. The blade was very rigid and thick feeling kinda like a str8t instead of flexy like w/ a DE. I couldn't stop shaking though cause all that keeps the blade in place is a springy piece of metal kept feeling like the blade was going to flip out.

I wanna get the SE that has a little lock on top that you have to open and close when you switch a blade looks alot more secure can't remember the model for the life of me.

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Obie, I don't think it's the single edge razor. Gem patented one in 1912, and it would seem strange that they waited until the 30s or later to bring it to market. The only thing that I can think of is the guy in the mirror (or his camera)

Obie asked if the razor was a DE I let him know it was an SE. The anachronism is the modern toilet bowl. They had toilets but that toilet belongs in a modern public restroom.