Thread: R. Wass Jubilee Razor

Recently acquired, a scarce set by maker R. Wass from Sheffield (another of his here: https://straightrazorpalace.com/show...rge-damer.html). This one is the "Jubilee Razor" and is possibly for George III's Golden Jubilee in 1809. A paper insert is included that has some instructions. Robert Wass had a patent for "certain improvements to razor handles", and this may be what that patent is talking about. The handle is a spring-knife style, and clicks into either position - like the paper says, it really does change the weight at the blade end by changing the balance.









Best of all, there are two of them! Until today at least, one of them is now on the way to another collector.

That is interesting. I never actually thought of intentionally shifting the weight to make a razor blade heavy. I just assumed that makers made them to balance equally. Well that is going off of the razors that I have held and used. Maybe that is why it is so rare, it didn't become that popular. The old adage of "don't fix what isn't broken" comes to mind.

Yes, I think he was a penknife maker. Likely he stayed too long at the pub!

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

That is interesting. I never actually thought of intentionally shifting the weight to make a razor blade heavy. I just assumed that makers made them to balance equally. Well that is going off of the razors that I have held and used. Maybe that is why it is so rare, it didn't become that popular. The old adage of "don't fix what isn't broken" comes to mind.

With all the extra mechanical bits it really just makes the whole thing heavier, and you can kind of accomplish the same thing by just tilting normal scales back. He got a patent for it, but I think there's good reason it never really caught on.

Seeing this makes me wonder if blade heavy razors were once marketed better for shaving. Could just be someone trying to improve on something that doesn't need improvement to sell products.

Blade-heavies are just fine...........The scale-heavies need adjustment.
Scales-up!

Regardless of how it does or does not work, you have a wonderful piece of history on your hands!

Personally, I make a really nice piece to display the razor and paperwork in.

Thanks for sharing! :