Thread: Double edge safety razor, probably not what you are thinking though

Recently got this double edge safety razor from the same guy who had the scissor-tail Joseph Rodgers and other good stuff. I've seen one other example like this on Ebay and a few mentions of its type here on SRP. It is unmarked except for the word "Patent" in a very tiny stamping on the brass guard.

I took this with me to the recent National Shaving Collectibles Meeting and there just happened to be a guy making a presentation on early model safety razors. He dated mine to have been made around the 1840s, definitely pre-1850, in his judgement.

The razor has a neat brass guard which slips over the blade and covers one side but both edges. I'm not sure just what good it would have done as the blade gap obviously varies greatly along the length. The guard has probably been bent out of shape some but even if it was new I don't see how an owner would have kept it perfectly straight for long. Also while the blade itself closes neatly within the stained cows horn scales, it won't do so with the guard on so the owner would have to find some safe way to store it. The lead wedge at the end of the scales is just the most massive thing I have ever seen but it actually balances quite well when held in a shaving position likely due to the large blade.


Unfortunately, while the blade is in good shape, it just wasn't possible to put a shaving edge on it. Both a friend and I tried setting a bevel but it was just too awkward and frankly dangerous to fingertips to try and hone out.







More and higher resolution photos can be found in this online photo album.

Thank you for sharing, what an interesting piece of shaving history..

Yes, thanks for sharing, you learn something new everyday.

Bob

Pretty cool to see one in good condition.
To hone it, you put the blade (and handle) into a holder that locks onto where the guard sits. The holder gives you the proper angle and keeps your fingers safe. The holder was steel and probably 1/16" thick and a bit flimsy.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Pretty cool to see one in good condition.
To hone it, you put the blade (and handle) into a holder that locks onto where the guard sits. The holder gives you the proper angle and keeps your fingers safe. The holder was steel and probably 1/16" thick and a bit flimsy.

If you have any more information, especially a diagram or photo, of this holder I would love to see it. It makes sense that there should be some aid for honing. I had taped the "spine", ie the middle, of the blade on each side but then it was almost impossible to push the blade along my Chosera 1k using my thumb on the "spine"/ridge in the middle of the blade with enough force to feel like I was making any progress setting a bevel on the edge.

I have one of the Henckels Rapide safety razors and when I bought it off Ebay long ago I didn't know that they were supposed to come with a handle for holding the blades when honing and stropping. The handle is a simple tube with a slit in the side on one end for a blade to slide in so that you can easily flip the blade while honing and stropping. I actually honed and stropped one blade by hand, carefully flipping the blade up and over every time I went up and down the hones. It took FOREVER and I had one shave with the Henckels Rapide and found it gave an okay shave at best and then was too damn hard to clean after so I have never used it again, lol.

I'll see if I can dig up a picture of one and if not I should be able to sketch one that you could build. It was pretty much a wood handle with two narrow, thin metal plates sticking out of it that held the blade. It looked a lot like a giant corn cob holder.

There was one of those on eBay a few months ago & it went over $300. My friend wanted it really bad but missed lost the bid! Very nice score!!!!

I'm surprised! What will you come up with next from this seller?

Another OOOPS in the whole scheme of things. If it doesn't work that is why they are not around.

I still haven't found the tool for locking the blade in, but I did remember the Fleming Razor Stropper and honer.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...-identify.html
That would do it.
They usually sell for around $10 (USD) on ebay.