Thread: Hello Mr. Wizard :<0)

I picked this up because it is obviously so dangerous looking :<0) I haven't tried it yet and really not sure how far I will get before blood comes. I wasn't sure how it worked until it hit my workbench, even after chatting with the seller. There was no blade in it in the listing. The handle unscrews and the 2 pieces open to reveal a double edge blade. The blade bends very easy and a lot. I mean look how much is sticking out, yikes !

The backside was pretty rough but it says,

Pat. Jan. 8 1924
Manufactured by
Ericsson Screw Mach. Products Co.





What do you think ? The first shavette ? Made for something other than shaving ? Scary little bugger.
Should I try to use it ?? Hope it doesn't scar me !

Looks like a frameback with disposable blades, dont be a pansy, shave with it

Might be a scraper after googling "wizard razor blade holder" a link to an old ebay sale came up, thought the handle was on the long side oposite the blade.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Might be a scraper after googling "wizard razor blade holder" a link to an old ebay sale came up, thought the handle was on the long side oposite the blade.

That was my first thought when I saw it. Although the handle suggests a safety razor, I think it more likely a cutting or scraping tool. An early box cutter.

I saw some ads for Wizard circa 1909. The ad depicts a handle for stropping DE and SE blades which looks like the device in 10pups picture. Not sure if it is, but it would make sense.
Popular Mechanics - Google Books

That was for stropping old DE blades, Pups! I would not attempt a shave with it!
It did clean up nicely!

That is really cool. Makes sense that someone would have come up with a stropper for DE blades. I would have to try that out, stropping I mean, just to see if it did any good.

Very interesting definitely! I did think it was a different type of razor to shave with. That's great to know that it was for stropping the blades...kind of gives you a sense of the dilemma archaeologists face when trying to figure out what stuff thousands or hundreds of years old was used for.

Cool!

With the price of DE blades these days it would be interesting to see just how long you could make one go. I have a little hone for DE blades, similar to a barbers hone. Between that and the stropper you might get a year out of one of those pricey little blades. (sorry my tongue in cheek font is broken)

Maybe a tongue-in-cheek emoticon.