Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 With this Forum being so new, I am adding a few items to show just how interesting it could be - we already have our first question and a lot of people will be posting as time goes-on. With progress very few people use a blade to shave with - unless it's one of those expensive three blade types - electric shavers are the item of choice. But, think back a hundred years. Shaving was a cumbersome business and for most people still required a cut-throat razor. Firstly you had to get hot water for your shaving mug, then use a brush to smooth lather from a round soap around your face. This lovely old shaving mug - probably dating back to late Victorian days - has the name FLORIS on the base. They still exist and are very high class perfumiers, with a Royal Warrant. The mug is Ironstone and was made in the potteries in Staffordshire. Ironstone meant that it had a portion of ground stone mixed-in to give strength. Brushes - if you could afford it - were made from Badger hair. The soap was especially rounded at the top and was flat at the base to fit the top of the mug. Despite being a common item in their day - now they are quite rare, particularly in this condition. Since there is no question attached to this post, please feel free to comment - we would like to know if you find this new section of interest ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2011 Author Share Posted June 26, 2011 This view clearly shows the domed soap in the top and the brush on the left. Usually, this would be head down into the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2011 Author Share Posted June 26, 2011 This shows the open top for the soap - drainage holes for the water from the brush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted June 26, 2011 Author Share Posted June 26, 2011 Name details on the base - the fuzzyness is from the stamping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 Shaving was a cumbersome business and for most people still required a cut-throat razor. I still shave with a cutthroat. Sometimes I cheat with a safety razor, but when I have some time I like to get out the cutthroats. It was one of those things I was determined to learn. Best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Wolfe Posted June 26, 2011 Share Posted June 26, 2011 I'm a blade man myself, though not as extreme as Chris. I suspose the idea of running a blade over your neck in the morning was the reason for the popularity of beards. I've used a brush and shaving mug for years only changing to the canned foam in the past few years to save time in the morning. I recall that when I was a youth, even though safety razors and electric razors had been popular for years, the local barber still kept shaving mugs for his patrons. The town's business men each had their own mug which was stored, for their use only, in a pigeon-hole style cupboard just to the side of the barber's large mirror. By the time I was considering shaving this was no longer an available option at the barber's. Great post, bringing back memories of a time when the pace of life was not as fast as today and people enjoyed life. You could never use a straight razor on an up and coming young professional today as the cell phone or Blackberry would get in the way. Regards Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Lovely little shaving jug. I'm not in a position to comment about the death-defying feat that is a man's cut-throat razor shave (female shaving and eyebrow tweezering and so on are hazardous enough!). However, thought I might take the opportunity to point out this page on a new website I've created looking at objects from the Pitt Rivers Museum's collections used for decorating, styling, grooming and modifying the body. These razors date to the 19th century and give a nice idea of what might have accompanied this jug in a gentleman's 'toilet'. Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Lovely little shaving jug. I'm not in a position to comment about the death-defying feat that is a man's cut-throat razor shave (female shaving and eyebrow tweezering and so on are hazardous enough!). However, thought I might take the opportunity to point out this page on a new website I've created looking at objects from the Pitt Rivers Museum's collections used for decorating, styling, grooming and modifying the body. These razors date to the 19th century and give a nice idea of what might have accompanied this jug in a gentleman's 'toilet'. Helen Those are nice, I have a 19th Century Indian steel one similar to the one pictured that I use on occasion... I love them. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 This Forum on non-militaria items has never drawn the attention that we hoped for - never mind. When someone has a question we are here to help - and if you look at the spread of articles, you will see that we have covered some interesting items. We uncovered this Wilkinson razor in the back of a cupboard - goodness knows how many years it had been hiding there ? It is very unusual in that it has a built-in strop for sharpening and also a separate blade marked for each day. Sometime in the past an enquiry was made by a former owner to Wilkinson and they give it an early date. Please feel free to add to this post - or, better yet - put on something that might be of interest. Inside of box Click to enlarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 The full set - including razor, strop, blade holder for sharpening and the 7 blades. click picture to enlarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 This Forum on non-militaria items has never drawn the attention that we hoped for - never mind. Click to enlarge Its a good thing to have around, I have the odd thing i want to eventually get around to posting... ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 The seven daily marked blades click to enlarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 The authenicating letter. click to enlarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Just bought 4 nice old cut throats... when they arrive I will get them into shaving shape and off comes the beard!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 Chris - do a 'before and after' set of photos. Mervyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I've got a nice German razor - they were traditionally believed to be the best steel, I think - but have never had the nerve to try it on my face. Instead it is part of my kit, displayed in my tent, when I do Napoleonic era reenacting. I do however use a brush and soap, the latter in a shallow plastic dish, when I've missed a day with the electric, as I find the electric only works well on short bristles - less than 48 hours growth. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QSAMIKE Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Gentlemen...... We must not forget the ladies....... Listed as "A Ladies Sanitary Razor" just the same as a mans safety razor only in miniature with blades that are very very sharp..... The 2 Pound coin for size comparison....... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QSAMIKE Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 (edited) Duplicated Edited July 18, 2012 by QSAMIKE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QSAMIKE Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Here is a razor from my Fathers estate....... Never been used...... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QSAMIKE Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 A couple more..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I believe that part, perhaps most, of the reason for the switch from straight razors to "safety razors", which Mike's are, came with the idea of a daily shave. In the 1810-15, British soldiers shaved twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays, with Jack Tar doing it Wed. & Sat. I think. For that one would need a very sharp safety razor - ie, a new blade each time - or a straight razor. I speak from personal experience, BTW, on needing a new safety blade each time. Even a second use of a cheap razor pulls like H***! Extraneous note re shaving customs here: I know that as late as the 1950-60s in Canada, people like farmers and labourers might get a professional shave in a barber shop with hot towel, soap, etc. once a week, when they went to town or had a day off. In fact, one of the few perks of being a travelling salesman in the first half of the 20th was being able to get a daily shave on the companies expense account and many small towns had a barbershop right next to or across the street from the 'travellers hotel'. That last phrase may seem redundant but here in North America 'traveller' was a term used to describe travelling salesman. My dad's dad 'travelled in plumbing', selling fixtures across Ontario for a small factory in the town of brantford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 My favourite shavers... and they shave really well... Gebr. Christians of Solingen... they made razors until about 1920... the top one is a monster from around 1900 and shaves like a dream... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Made to just fit the bathroom cabinet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 You must have a very steady hand - I doubt I could even lift the big one................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudius Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 My favourite shavers... and they shave really well... Gebr. Christians of Solingen... they made razors until about 1920... the top one is a monster from around 1900 and shaves like a dream... It is a real testament to the quality of the steel that the blade isn't worn down after over 36,000 uses and sharpenings. My mom had some old farm kitchen knives and I have seen how a blade can be reduced through years of hard use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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