Mastodawn

WegianWarrior Jan 29, 2025

Patent Time: Hexagonal collapsible safety razor handle

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/1873384

Patent Time: Hexagonal collapsible safety razor handle - WetShaving

A travel razor usually either have a very tiny handle – like my, admittedly tiny all over, Laurel Ladies Boudoir Razor [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2019/03/the-most-adorable-de-laurel-ladies-boudoir-razor-with-known-provenance/] – or a handle in two parts – like my Merkur 985CL [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2012/05/review-merkur-985cl/]. But James Alex Denby Watt had a different idea. He patented a collapsible, hexagonal razor handle in 1930 – and it worked well enough to be part of a production razor. More on that later – lets first look at the handle. As can be seen from the drawing, it operates on the same principle as the combined traveller’s drinking cup and shaving mug [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2023/10/combined-travellers-drinking-cup-and-shaving-mug/] we looked at a couple of years ago. It is segmented and hollow, and each segment will lock into the ones above and below it when it is extended. This means that the collapsible handle will only be one segment long when collapsed. It also makes for a very cone shaped handle. James gave his handle a hexagonal shape, with slight indentations along each edge. This would, I think, both prevent the pieces from rotating in relation to each other as well as providing a better grip. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/US1749051-drawings-page-1-697x1024.png] Patent drawing for US patent 1,749,051 Additionally, James suggested that the individual segments could be knurled, aerated, ribbed, grooved, pierced, slotted, punched, or otherwise toughened in order to provide a better grip. This, however, do not seem to have been done in the production razor that utilised this collapsible handle; the Compax. As a side note, the Compax was a very interesting razor in its own right. It was an adjustable single edge razor, that came with a stropping machine built into the box, and – naturally, a collapsible handle. You can fine some info and a lot of pictures right here [https://shavinguniverse.com/community/threads/compax.5969/]. I see no reason why this collapsible handle couldn’t be made with standard threads and used with almost any razor head. It could turn any razor into a travel razor. You can read the full patent for the hexagonal collapsible razor handle [https://patents.google.com/patent/US1749051A/en] over at Google Patents.

WegianWarrior May 23, 2024

Patent time: The Simens Razor Sharpener Patent

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/967722

Patent time: The Simens Razor Sharpener Patent - WetShaving

A couple of days ago I shared a video I found [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/05/restoration-of-a-siemens-razor-blade-sharpener/] on the restoration of a Simens razor sharpener. And guess what? I’ve now found the patent for it. Filed by Ferdinand Souczeck in 1933, the patent was applied for in – as far as I can tell – Czechoslovakia, Austria, and USA. I’m not sure if Ferdinand worked for Simens, of if they simply bought the rights of him. What I do know is that Simens must have manufactured the device in several places. The one I own is clearly marked as made in Sweden, while other examples I found online is marked with Austria, Japan, USA, USSR, and elsewhere. Every invention is an attempt to solve a problem. But the problem Ferdinand tried to solve wasn’t to sharpen the blade per se – it was to sharpen it better. To quote: >In known grinding devices of this type, the movement between the razor blade and the grinding agent which is necessary for the grinding is generally only rectilinear and of a definite type of stroke, regardless of whether it is parallel, inclined or perpendicular to the edge and whether a grindstone or grinding rolls are used. However, this type of grinding favors the production on the sides of the edge of the blade of grooves which make it difficult or even impossible to obtain a complete grinding of the sides of the edge. The grinding, moreover, results in subjecting the blades to an injurious bending stress. So according to Ferdinand, the problem with other razor blade sharpeners were that they were grinding in a linear back and forth motion. The solution, he claimed, would be to move the blade in a circular motion. And while other sharpeners did that, Ferdinand claimed they put a bending motion on the blade. The solution Ferdinand came up with, and Simens manufactured, was a box with a string. You put your blade in the box, closed the lid, and pulled the string. And when you opened the box, your blade was sharper. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/US2004838-drawings-page-1-697x1024.png] Patent drawing for US patent 2,004,838 Inside the box is where the magic happened. As can be seen from the drawings, there are a few things going on. In one half of the box you have three gear wheels with pulleys. The two outermost ones have eccentric spindles. The string is wrapped around the pulleys. On either side of these gearwheels are two spring loaded grinding members, set at an angle. A matching set of two grinding members are set in the opposite lid as well. As can be seen, the blade is placed on the spindles. Once the box is closed, the grinding elements are pressed against the blade sides. And when the string is pulled, it rotates the gears, which in turn moves the blade in a circle. Or as Ferdinand put it in the patent text: >When the razor blade is positioned on the carrier pins 18 and the device is closed, the blade prevents the inter-engagement of opposing grinding teeth and, under the opposite but equal spring forces constituting the grinding pressure, is accurately positioned centrally of the gap formed between the two halves of the casing by the collars on the guide pins I I when the grinding members on both sides are not overlapped by the razor blade to the same extent (see Figure 2). >If now the somewhat tensioned operating cord 11 is pulled from side to side, or, in the case where the cord is stationary, the grinding device itself is reciprocated along the cord, the razor blade will execute a curvilinear movement in its own plane. There is, of course, a few differences between the device as patented, and the device as built. The big one is in the shape and position of the grinding members. Whereas the patent shows them with a flat top and set at an angle, my Simens sharpener (and every other one I’ve seen pictures of) has them with an angled top and set straight in the box. Unlike so many of the patents I discuss, this one was quite successful. If you search for “razor blade sharpener” online today, a lot of your results will be of the Simens razor blade sharpener. It was successful enough that an Albert B Swanson filed a patent [https://patents.google.com/patent/US2922260A/en?oq=2%2c004%2c838] for what was basically an electric version of it in 1958. Today, we are often told, you shouldn’t sharpen a regular razor blade. But if you needed to, a Simens razor blade sharpener would be just the thing to do it with. You can read the full patent for Simens razor blade sharpener [https://patents.google.com/patent/US2004838A/en] on Google Patents.

WegianWarrior May 16, 2024

Patent time: Griffbefestigung an Rasierapparaten – handle attachment to shaving apparatus

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/946359

Patent time: Griffbefestigung an Rasierapparaten – handle attachment to shaving apparatus - WetShaving

It is easy to forget, as one is looking at old patents online, that not every inventor spoke English. I’ve looked at [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2023/07/self-destroying-disposable-shaving-brush/] several [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2018/04/razor-on-a-spring/] interesting [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2021/06/samuel-schereschewskijs-device-for-lathering-the-beard/] non-english [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2023/10/john-h-woods-barbermaskine/] patents [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2021/11/a-more-modern-shaving-cup/] in the past, and stumbled over an interesting looking one today too. It is for how to do attach a handle to your shaving apparatus. Or to put it in a different way; a handle attachment to your razor. Patented by Paul Druseidt, the invention gives a razor that both pack flat and is easy to assemble. It consists of a normal-ish razor head and a U-shaped handle made from spring steel. The handle is ever so slightly smaller than the head of the razor and can nestle inside it. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DE_323451_C-757x1024.png] Patent drawing from German patent 323,451 The key is the shape of the recesses or hole on the underside of the razor. The keyhole, if you will. As can be seen from the drawing, it was longer one way than the other, and had arches or troughs on either side. The U-shaped handle was, as mentioned, springy. You would insert it along the long axis of the hole, then twist it 90°. The arches on either side would stop it from slipping back, and the tension of the spring steel would hold it in place. After shaving the handle could be twisted back, removed, and placed against the inside of the razor head Or, to quote the patent; >…der U-förmig gebogene Handgriff 6 zwecks Befestigung an der Kammplatte 2 mit seinen federnden Enden 5 in zwei unter der Kammplatte vorgesehene muldenförmige Aussparungen 4 eingeführt und sodann um 90° gedreht wird, wobei die federnden Enden in zwei weitere, enger aneinander liegende, muldenförmige Aussparungen 3 eintreten und in diesen festgehalten werden, während er nach Gebrauch aus den muldenförmigen Aussparungen herausgezogen und von unten gegen die Kammplatte gelegt wird. For those whose German is a bit rusty, the autotranslated version runs as follows: >…the U-shaped curved handle 6 for attachment to the comb plate 2 with its resilient Ends 5 inserted into two trough-shaped recesses 4 provided under the comb plate and then rotated by 90 °, the resilient ends in two more, narrower Adjacent, trough-shaped recesses 3 enter and held in these while he is pulled out of the trough-shaped recesses after use and is placed against the comb plate from below. All clear and fairly straight forward. I though initially that a top cap could have been fastened by the pair of hook shaped projections on the bottom plate. I also though that these projections also would have acted as blade guides for a normal Gillette three hole blade. Further research showed me that maybe was no top cap, and the hooks just held on to a proprietary blade. The first hint came in Waits’ Razor Compendium. Waits’ Compendium do mention a Druseidt razor – along with the similar Impero and Ratio razor. And in the description of the later, Waits states that “the special thick double-edged blade has two square holes and two centre oval dimples”. Waits’ Compendium also mentions that “later versions has two pieces”, by which he seems to mean that at least the late production Ratio was made with a top cap. This in turn matches with pictures I found in a thread over on Shaving Universe [https://shavinguniverse.com/community/threads/druseidt.5181/], which clearly shows a top cap. A top cap, I might add, that looks very much like Waits’ description of a “special thick double edged blade”… Was Waits just confusing a poor quality picture of a top cap for a proprietary blade? Quite possible. It could simply be that a lot of the Druseidt, Impero, and Ratio razors that have survived have lost their top caps over the years. Interestingly all three of the razors mentioned also have u-shaped handles. But none of the three has the handle attachment method described in the patent. Instead they uses a swinging out handle, which still relies on spring pressure to lock in place. Overall the Druseidt patent looks like it would make an interesting razor, possible more interesting than the Druseidt razors that were actually manufactured. You can read the full text of Druseidt’s patent [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/006173485/publication/DE323451C?q=pn%3DDE323451C] at Espacenet, or a translated version [https://patents.google.com/patent/DE323451C/en?oq=DE323451] at Google Patents.

WegianWarrior May 14, 2024

Patent time: Aloe’s Folding Razor

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/940225

Patent time: Aloe’s Folding Razor - WetShaving

A razor can take up space in a gentleman’s vest-pocket… a problem several inventors searched for a solution [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2018/02/handle-less-safety-razor-patent/] to, including Mr Albert S Aloe. He came up with a folding razor all the way back in 1886. Described, unsurprisingly, as a new and useful improvement in safety razors, Albert didn’t have the benefit of the thin replaceable blade. Like most razors of this era he had to work with a wedge blade. A wedge blade is chunkier than a modern razor blade, but also has the benefit that it can be stropped and honed. In hindsight his razor is simple enough. A couple of pieces of sheet metal, shaped to hold and clamp a razor blade. The blade holder and guard were made to fold flat when not in use. In some ways you could see it as a folding version of John Monks’ razor [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2020/08/john-monks-shaving-apparatus/]. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/US375592-drawings-page-1-768x1128.png] Patent drawing for US patent 375,592 It is worth noting that the first claim in the patent isn’t the razor per se. Rather it is for the spiral guard, which was meant to ‘carry the lather endwise’ when the razor was used. Or in simpler words; keep the lather out of the way. The blade was held in place by a spring loaded catch. This also made sure the distance between the edge and the guard stayed constant, even as the edge was gently worn away by stropping and honing. You could say the blade was self adjusting to keep it working as intended. I see no reason why Aloe’s folding razor shouldn’t work as intended, nor any reason why a version couldn’t be made for a GEM blade. At the same time I see no reason why anyone would want one today, as it is unergonomic and looks like a kludge. You can read the full patent for Aloe’s folding razor [https://patents.google.com/patent/US375592A/en?oq=US375592] at Google Patents.

WegianWarrior May 9, 2024

Christy blade comparison – aka “where can I get a Christy blade today?”

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/923413

Christy blade comparison – aka “where can I get a Christy blade today?” - WetShaving

I little while ago I bought a Christy razor. It’s a fun and interesting razor, fairly unique compared to modern razor. And, as I mentioned, you can’t get blades any more, as the Christy blade (which existed in a couple of variations) went out of production sometime in the late 30’s. Some of you wondered if I couldn’t get another blade to fit… and the answer; no, not really. And this is why: First off, apologies for the glare in some of these pictures – taking photos of shiny blades can be difficult. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07-06.28.02-599x1024.jpg] From the top: Common DE, GEM, Injector, and Christy blades. No other blades are a good match – or even a partial match, for the Christy. It’s not just a matter of width and thickness, but more importantly of the inclined blade alignment cut-outs on the sides of the Christy. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07-06.28.56-538x1024.jpg] The Christy compared to a common double edged blade. You could trim a DE to match part of the outline of the Christy. However the slot means you can’t replicate the top part of the alignment cut-outs. And the cut-outs are also the blade stops, so there would be nothing keeping the blade in place. Nor would anything stop it from sliding too far forward. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07-06.29.42-576x1024.jpg] The Christy compared to a GEM blade. The GEM is the best candidate for conversion. But you’ll have to despine it, trim some of the top, do some very careful trimming of the length, and nibble a little for the shape of the alignment cut-outs. And even so the alignment won’t work, as the cut-outs on the GEM are too deep. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2024-05-07-06.30.42-441x1024.jpg] The Christy comparted to an injector blade The injector blade seems to be a no-go from the start. Yes, you could trim a little to match the bottom of the alignment cut-outs, since the length is a good fit. But since the cut-outs are also the blade stops, you’ll have the same problems as you would with a DE. So the question still remains; Where can I get a Christy blade today? I have this interesting old razor, and I can’t shave with it.

WegianWarrior May 7, 2024

Shaving with the Valet Autostrop VC2 - a review of sorts

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/916910

Shaving with the Valet Autostrop VC2 - a review of sorts - WetShaving

A little while ago I bought a Valet Autostrop [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/04/new-arrival-valet-autostrop-vc2/], almost by accident [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/04/accidental-razor-buys/]. Unlike some vintage razors, you can still get blades for the Valet. And since I consider myself a shaver and not a collector, I got some blades and gave the Valet a spin to see if it belongs in my rotation. The jury is still out on that though. Yes, I have shaved with it for a week, but a few shaves isn’t enough to show me just how good the Valet is. Of how bad, for that matter. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.19.56-1024x546.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.20.01-1024x348.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.19.44-1024x546.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.19.49-1024x367.jpg] The Valet Autostrop in question It is – mechanically speaking – a very interesting razor. The way it secures the blade is different. The way it aligns the blade is different – yet similar. And the blade itself is different too. Then you have the whole “push lever to release blade holder so it swings freely”. It is there so you could strop the blade – hence the name Autostrop. The strop actually goes through the razor, and the blade swung in the right direction as you pulled the razor along the strop. The whole thing was highlighted in advertisements [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2022/08/valet-razor-strops-itself/] and animatronic displays [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2022/08/auto-strop-store-display/]. Historically it is also an interesting razor. You could consider it an also-ran when compared to Gillette – but also compared to the GEMs and even Schick’s Injectors. It is more complicated than most other razors. The construction is mostly sheet metal. It requires it’s own blades. And yet it survived, unlike other also-rans like the Christy [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/05/the-other-new-arrival-a-christy-razor/] or the CURBO [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2020/09/curbo-razors-and-or-advertisers/]. As mentioned, blades are still made for it – although you have a lot less choice in blades than you do for a DE or even an Injector blade. Some report using a de-spined GEM-blade in their Valets – I can see that in the early A, B, and VC1 perhaps… but in the VC2 and later you have to work around the alignment bumps. Bumps which, by the way, different between various models of the razor – but always lined up with part of the VALET name cut out in the blade. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240429_0628092679199498403178185-1024x849.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240501_0947221749940842184213894-1024x1024.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240503_0643485581553593315369407-1024x1024.jpg] A week of shaves with the Valet Autostrop VC2 As far as the shave goes… the Valet Autostrop VC2 is pretty middle of the road. It is not great, but not terrible. It don’t nip or scrape, but it is a bit on the mild side of things. Getting the angle right was a little tricky, until I realised that like my GEM razors you can simply place the top cap flat against the face. The left side blade stop has a small burr on it I probably ought to take a small file to. People tell me the FHS-10 blade dulls quickly, but I didn’t notice much degradation over the course of a week. Will the Valet VC2 make it into my permanent rotation? How long will the blade last me? I don’t know. I don’t know yet, that is. I’m heading into the second week of shaving with it. There might be a third.

WegianWarrior May 2, 2024

The other new arrival: a Christy razor

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/902228

The other new arrival: a Christy razor - WetShaving

We know how it goes. Peacefully puttering around on the internet, and boom: You accidentally bought two vintage razors [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/04/accidental-razor-buys/]. Earlier this week we looked at one of them, and today we’ll have a peek at the other. The other being a Christy razor. Christy, like the CURBO [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2020/09/curbo-razors-and-or-advertisers/], Diamond Edge [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2020/04/diamond-edge-razor-patent-and-brief-history/], and others, were aiming for the low end of the shaving marked. Whereas Gillette and others were offering affordable razors, Christy’s razors were cheap or even free. The seller had mislabelled this in their classified ad; the seller had it listed as an Gillette. It came in the original box, with a couple of spare blades. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.06.03-1024x482.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.06.18-1024x324.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.06.38-1024x645.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.07.09-1024x460.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.07.47-456x1024.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.08.19-1024x211.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.08.37-1024x200.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.09.25-1024x467.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.10.17-1024x1006.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.10.53-1024x461.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.11.12-1024x413.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.11.34-1024x342.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.08.50-1024x580.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.12.29-1024x843.jpg] My Christy is a very neat little razor. It is sleek and lightweight, and has a couple of interesting features. The blade has a unique shape, as can be seen in the pictures. The shape of the blade can be traced to US patent 1,563,724 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US1563724A/en?], filed in 1921. The rest of the razor don’t match that patent though, but rather partly matches a 1927 advertisement for the Christy with a ‘massage bar [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2020/09/christys-new-wrinkle-free-razor/]‘. Apart from lacking the massage bar, that is. The ears and angled cut-outs on the blades matches to bumps on the bottom plate. These bumps acts as both alignment guides and blade stops. Two raised ears on the bottom plate helps guide the plate onto the top cap. The top cap has a tab that is wrapped under it, which both hold the handle and – more importantly – presses the bottom plate up against the top cap. This locks the razor together securely. The razor also came with two spare blades, wrapped in an old Gillette blade wrapper. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.13.06-639x1024.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.13.15-651x1024.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.13.47-1024x642.jpg] My best guess is that this Christy dates from between 1921 and 1927. But that is mostly based on the patent and the advertisement, so it’s a tenuis guess at best. While there is nothing wrong with the razor itself – at least nothing that some soap and TLC can’t fix – I’m stuck as far as blades goes. To the best of my knowledge, no one makes Christy blades no more. Nor have I had much luck finding a guide on how to modify other blades to fit.

WegianWarrior Apr 30, 2024

New arrival: Valet Autostrop VC2

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/895603

New arrival: Valet Autostrop VC2 - WetShaving

We’ve all been there. You are peacefully puttering around on the internet, and suddenly you’ve accidentally bought a razor [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/04/accidental-razor-buys/]. Or two, as I happened to do a couple of weeks ago. So let’s have a look at one of my latest accidental buys; a Valet Autostrop VC1. At least it was listed as a VC1 – right now I’m less certain, as the blade holder is a much closer match to the description of a Valet VC2. From what both the internet and Waits’ Compendium tells me, the VC1 was introduced in 1922. It likely stayed in production until 1928, when the VC2 came out. The VC2 was manufactured until 1935. The VC3 replaced it, and was in turn replaced by the VC4 in 1940. Production seems to have ended in 1946. The main difference between the VC2 and the VB2 – which was manufactured at the same time – was that the VB2 was supposed to be adjustable [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/04/instantly-adjustable/] (according to Waits at least). My Autostrop – whatever model it is – came in the original box. And with the original strap. But without any original blades, which I would never have used anyway. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.15.21-1024x499.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.15.50-1024x621.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.16.03-1024x576.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.16.23-582x1024.jpg] Box has definitely seen better days, but it is a cardboard box that’s almost one hundred years old. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.16.50-1024x486.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.16.56-1024x617.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.17.01-1024x469.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.17.07-1024x575.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.17.18-653x1024.jpg] The strop has dried out, which is unsurprising, but looks to be in remarkable good shape otherwise. I am assuming some leather grease will soften it up if desired. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.17.53-1024x391.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.18.01-1024x551.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.18.10-1024x389.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.18.15-1024x545.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.18.26-1024x719.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.18.33-670x1024.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.18.58-1024x576.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.19.43-1024x595.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.20.22-1024x708.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-14.20.30-1024x390.jpg] For being old, it is in quite good shape. A bit of grime, but not much in the way of plating loss. The Autostrop has a blade holder that differs from pretty much any other razor I’ve owned. You have to swing the holder up and over – as you would if you were to strop the blade – before opening a flap. The top cap has a pair of studs, that aligns with cut-outs in the blade and flap. The blade holder is held in place by pressing the guard against it, controlled by the lever on the back of the head. You can still buy blades that fit the Autostrop. The Feather FHS-10, to be precise. So I naturally bought some [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2024/04/mail-call/]. If the razor could be shaved with, it should be shaved with – I’m a shaver, not a collector. But that also means that a century of dust and grime had to be cleaned of… [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.19.44-1024x546.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.19.49-1024x367.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.19.56-1024x546.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.20.01-1024x348.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.20.11-1024x548.jpg] [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-04-28-15.20.24-1024x554.jpg] The patent number referred to at the underside of the razor head is British Patent 184,808 [https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/023960632/publication/GB184808A?q=pn%3DGB184808A] by the way. The 1922 patent is the same as the US patent 1,492,246 [https://patents.google.com/patent/US1492246A/en?oq=+US49353221A], filed in 1921 but not granted until 1924. It makes sense that the razor refers to the British patent, as they text on the underside of the blade holder flap refers to Autostrop Safety Razor Co Ltd, London, England. Overall I’m very happy with the condition of the razor, and even happier by the fact that I can get blades for it.

WegianWarrior Apr 24, 2024

History time: Adapter for safety razors

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/877484

History time: Adapter for safety razors - WetShaving

Have a Double Edged razor you enjoy? Want to use your favourite GEM or other Single Edged blade? Fear not, Walter Althof1 patented the solution in 1923; An adapter that let you use a single edged blade in a double edged razor. Well, more on than in. But even so, you could use your favourite single edged blade in on with your favourite double edged razor. As to why you should is a completely different question. And one the patent text fails to address. What it does talk about though, is the position of your hand while shaving. To quote: >The object of the invention is to produce a device capable of being assembled with the ordinary safety razor of the double edge blade type to adapt said razor for use with a single edge blade. Further, safety razors of the double edge blade type support the blade in a position practically at right angles to the longitudinal axis or extension of the handle so that the handle must be held at substantially right angles to the surface to be shaved. Such a position is unnatural, and somewhat difficult for the hand of the operator to assume, and another object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device, capable of assemblage with a razor of the double-edge blade type that will support a blade in a normally inclined position disposed at a substantial angle to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Thus, a razor substantially of the character known as “hoe type” is produced. The actual device patented is fairly straight forward. The adapter is little more than a bent piece of sheet metal. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/US1453487-drawings-page-1-697x1024.png] Patent drawing for US patent 1,453,487 The adapter has a fairly complex shape, but should be easy to manufacture in a suitable press. Or it could – conceivably – be an extruded metal profile. The bottom part is concave to fit between the bottom plate and top cap of the razor. The upper part is shaped to hold the blade. A small flange (marked 16 on the drawing) presses the blade against the top cap and bottom plate. The patent also suggests a special blade, with a groove about half way down the blade that will engage the top cap. But I can easily see using a GEM blade in the adapter, if the design is adjusted so that the flange would grip under the spine of the blade. As designed, the adapter is suitable for razors using three posts for blade alignment. It should be possible to redesign it for other razors too, by replacing the three cut-outs with the same slot as a normal double edged razor blade has. To use it, you would place the adapter on the razor, place the blade in the adapter, and tighten the handle. And that is about it. Just shave as normal, just remember to check the angle of attack [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2013/01/angle-of-attack/]. I see no reason why the adapter shouldn’t work as intended. I just don’t see a compelling reason why you should use it. But even so… if someone offered this for sale, I would probably buy one. Or two… You can read the full patent text for the adapter to use SE Blades with DE Razors [https://patents.google.com/patent/US1453487A/en] on Google Patents, as well as over on razors.click [https://razors.click/patents/US1453487/]. — 1. Of the city of Geneva, in the county of Ontario, in the State of New York

WegianWarrior Jan 4, 2024

Patent time: William H Webb’s metallic hone

https://sub.wetshaving.social/post/505080

Patent time: William H Webb’s metallic hone - WetShaving

Every age has its share of cranks and quacks. These are usually found peddling the miracle cure of the day – be it radioactivity, magnetism, or – as it was in the middle of the 19th century – electricity. And after reading the patent description for a metallic hone, I’m unsure if old William was a crank or a quack. William was awarded his patent in 1855, making this one of the oldest patents I’ve looked at so far. And to William’s defence, this is one of the more straightforward and easy to read patents I’ve seen in a while. The metallic hone was, as the name implies, made of metal. William suggested a soft metal, such as sink, for the main body. In the body, with the upper surfaces flush, were three strips of harder metal – William suggest copper, steel, or silver. This, he supposed and believed, would produce an electric current when the hone was wetted with water or oil And he wasn’t wrong about that. The difference in electrochemical potential between the different metals would cause a current to run when an electrolyte is added. Depending on which of the harder metal is used, the current would be between 1.1 and 1.5 volts. Where Williams takes a hard left and leaves science behind, is when he argues that this promotes the sharpening of the razor somehow. Although he don’t labour that point to hard, as can be seen from the patent text: >It is supposed and believed that when the surface of the strop is covered with oil or a liquid an electric current is produced, which pro motes in some way the process of sharpening a razor when it is passed back and forth on the strop and the rubbing-surface of the strop has been covered with a sharpening paste or matter. It is not intended to assert it as a fact that such an electric action really occurs, but it is certain that the softer metal, in connection with the harder strip or strips operates to great advantage in sharpening and putting a fine edge on a razor or any delicate surgical instrument. And William was doing the right thing when he hedged his bets. Running a current through a metallic hone is unlikely help with the honing of a razor. What it will do, on the other hand, is to make sure your metallic hone will suffer galvanic corrosion. And that will eat away the soft sink in fairly short order – after all, sink is used as the sacrificial anode on steel ships. [https://wegianwetshaving.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/US12748-drawings-page-1-697x1024.png] Patent drawing from US patent 12,748, showing Williams metallic hone William also offers a second explanation as to how his metallic hone worked. One that is better grounded in reality: >When the razor is honed on the hone the softer metal seizes and retains the sharpening material and enables it to Wear down the blade, the strips of harder metal serving at the same time, or while the blade is moved on the hone, to smooth down or polish the abraded edge. It is very probable that the edges of the harder strips contribute to the removal of the metal from the side of the blade. I was initially a little sceptical to using a metal hone to sharpen a razor, I do use a sharpening steel to maintain the edge on my kitchen knife. And some of them can get razor sharp… So it is likely that William’s metallic hone mostly worked as my kitchen steel does – even if William implied otherwise. But to be fair; William is far from the only inventor of shaving related gear that has descended into crankery. There is something about sharpening razors [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2017/03/what-is-it-about-magnets-and-razors/] and blades [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2017/03/more-magnetic-magic-razor-blade-edge-reconditioner/] that attracts madness [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2014/11/pseudo-scientific-razor/] I guess [https://wegianwetshaving.com/2021/04/dr-scotts-magnetic-safety-razor/]. You can read the full patent [https://patents.google.com/patent/US12748A/en?] over at Google Patents.