Thread: Ran-tan-ka-rus Red Devil

I just bought this from a guy off of kijiji for $20. This is my first swedish blade and its a beauty!!! Its a 6/8's Ran-tan-ka-rus Red Devil. His name isn't on it, like others I've seen, but I know this was made by Johan Engstrom. There's a few others on SRP, and a lot of info on this company. The company ran from 1874-1918.

Its still in its original scales, Bakelite??, with the devil on the one. Unfortunately, the other is broken. This leads me to my next question. What plastic can I use to make a replacement that will resemble the black bakelite???
Of coarse I have to keep the one with the devil on it so I need to make the other to replace it.

Hey, Ferrettface! That thing needs extensive work! The front bakelite scale is intact. That is good. The bad news is that a rear scale has to be found and the blade is frowning. Other than that, it is is an extreme candidate! JMO. I might have a rear scale. PM
Tom

The frown is no problem. Like you said, its the other scale that's the problem. Maybe ill post a "looking for" add in the classifieds for a scale.

My best shaver is a Red Devil.

I'd say the scales are celluloid, as that's the most common. You should be able to tell by the smell when you rub them with your hand or a piece of cloth.

I'd probably just put a pair of new scales and save the front one in case somewhere down the road you find the opposite match. But non-matching scales will bother me more than scales without the imprint, if you're in the opposite view you should be able to find/make something close enough.

Note:
Not all Ran-tan-Ka-rus Red Devil razors were made by Johan Engstrom.
There are Ran-tan-Ka-rus Red Devil razors, that were made by Utica Cutlery Company, N.Y., using brand name Smith & Hemenway Co.

Originally Posted by manah

Note:
Not all Ran-tan-Ka-rus Red Devil razors were made by Johan Engstrom.
There are Ran-tan-Ka-rus Red Devil razors, that were made by Utica Cutlery Company, N.Y., using brand name Smith & Hemenway Co.

Thats kinda cool. Its the same!! Wow. Its amazing how this happens, wonder what the date is on the NY one. Who did it first I mean. Mine does have the Sweden stamp on the back though.

What I would do for the scales is look for a cheap razor with the same style and size scales and swap out one. If you need to you can sand then down to the same size. Well that is easier said than done most times. I recently found set of Boker scales with the embossed tree that I have been looking for FOREVER. Good luck.

You will find that the scales are bakelite and very breakable. Use caution when unpinning and pinning. It happens!

Did you get a box with it? If not I have one that is pretty nice. I have no need for it let me know if you would like it via PM.

Regards, Gary