Vintage shaving kit 2

Once you start collecting old shaving kit it quickly gets out of control, first it's for the whole kit, the leather case itself, then the different razors, then shaving brushes then the soap and brush container tubes, then you can't decide if you prefer the chrome plated ones or the earlier Bakelite...decisions, decisions anyhow it matters little as it appears my razor acquisition disorder is out of control an, here are a few recent finds I've gathered here and there about the shires;

A very nice and larger than usual gentleman's travelling shaving/bathroom set in calf hide case,the small tin on top contains an unused American made 'Eveready' 1912 razor bought at the same time.

contents, would originally have been two hair brushes, a long clothes brush in one of the side centre pockets opposite is the long cylindrical toothbrush holder, the two tubes in the centre contained a shaving brush in one and shaving soap in the other, also a brown plastic comb and opposite would be a nail fine, the two containers next to the comb are one for a bar of soap the other chrome tin contains the 3 piece razor, the brown bakelite box shown contains a Darwin razor and is not original that is where the other brush would be.

both razors, one is a rather rare Sheffield made 'Darwin' and the other another Sheffield made open comb 'Gillette' copy, also shown is the apparently unused badger bristle shaving brush.  

The Darwin bakelite box after cleaning/polishing.

The cap unscrews via the razors handle end allowing a blade to be fitted.

The nickel plated all brass 'Eveready' 1912 single edged razor.

This razor shaves beautifully.

A 'Two Tix' set found recently completely unused NOS.

Shaving soap still in it's gold foil, shaving brush and razor with 7 'o' clock blade in it's original case. 

The Sheffield made razor built up.

A very recently found and unused English made Gillette 'Rocket' Twist To Open(TTO)

Front end shot, you twist the handle end which opens the head silo doors allowing a blade to be inserted for shaving. 

A job lot bought cheaply off Ebay, the photo wasn't great but worth a bid as they were cheap and appeared to contain an Eveready 'Streamline' and an Eveready blade stropping machine, the left hand two...the three others are various incarnations of Eveready 1912's.  

The 'Streamline'

in component form with an unused NOS single edged blade.

The stropping machine.

and with strop inserted.

Vintage Valet Autostrop razor

Ok we should hopefully be now back up and running after a brief hiatus due to technical difficulties!

As a fan of all things mechanical and old/vintage then it was only a matter of time before I discovered old shaving razors.

I got my first old razor a while ago now contained within a gentleman's travel shaving set and being curious I had to try it using the original 1960's blades,....and I am still here to tell the tale and not a hint of tetanus!

Anyway as a collector you'll know how these things go, one leads to two to three and so on til you've loads of the things!

Here's a Valet 'Autostrop' I found recently as an example, it was virtually mint/NOS complete in it's plated box with unused horsehide strop, unopened blades and instructions, after buying one, reading up a bit and trying to shave with the thing I bought another and another and I know it won't be the last as when set up correctly they are great shavers!

Two Valet's after cleaning, a silver plated Canadian VC1/Model B and a chrome plated English made VC3, both use different blade retaining systems. 

Canadian silver plated VC1/Model B

Canadian VC1/Model B showing '1907 PATENT' markings.

Side view

Blade holder housing on VC1 Model B

Side view showing stropping gears.

Rear view of English made VC3

Blade retaining system on VC3 

VC3 with handle unscrewed.

Side view of VC3.

The two Valet's as found and an old Personna 'double edged'.

The VC1 Model B as found in it's box with strop and blade holder.

Not too pretty was it?

Fancy shaving with it?.....no neither did I!

Hmm!

And the worst of the lot!

The English made VC3 wasn't quite so bad but still needed a clean!

The one that started it all an English made rhodium plated VC2.

With instructions removed.

The contents unpacked...razor, strop, NOS blades in holder and instructions.

And I found this lurking immaculate original makers stamp under the backing card!

Vintage Shaving Kit

As a collector you often find 'precious things' and realise you 'need' them before you really have a genuine need or use for them!
The above happened to me a few months back when at a car boot sale I purchased an old travelling shaving set in a leather and cloth case.(Sunday, 19 May 2013)Sunday, 19 May 2013)))0)It was an old set but not that old, so I then 'needed' an older version.... a bit of Internet based research later into such things opened up a whole new world of possible collecting interests of shiny things!
Being of a curious nature I had to try out the Gillette Tech razor with one of the unopened but old blades, having used it once I decided it was easy enough to get on with so bought some brand new blades off of a well known internet auction site and yes surprisingly they do still make them!
With the new blades(Astra's or Derby's IIRC?) I found I could get a shave every bit as good as a modern cartridge system razor at a fraction of the price though you have to shave slightly more frequently.
As for the shaving experience, well compared to squirting gunk out of a can onto your face and then flicking a 3 or 4 bladed modern techno razor over your chin or hot flannelling  your face then lathering up your face with a bristle brush and some Arko soap or similar and then using an aesthetically pleasing 60 year old weighty vintage razor ...well for me it's no contest....the constant lure of trying out all the various blades still available from all over the world wins hands down and it's good bye 2013 hello 1950!

Here's a few pictures of some of my rapidly growing 'vintage' shaving stuff.

 

A 'Rolls' razor on it's honing stone

 

A 'Rolls razor travelling set in it's mock crock leather case

 

Two Rolls razor sets, the leather cased set is alloy bodied from around 1948-ish, the one behind is a silver plated 'Imperial' from around 1938.

 

A 1950's leather cased travelling shaving set

 

and it's as new contents with a 'ball end' Tech.

 

A Gillette later 'Tech' razor c 1960s

 

A Gillette 'Flare Tip' Made in England c 1960's, these give great shaves...the knob at the end of the handle twists to open the 2 'silo' doors on the head so you can insert a blade you then twist it shut and shave away!

 

A Cussons 'Chubby' shaving soap container.