Club Obi Wan

This was only mentioned in TOD when Indy asks Shortround if he had packed his razor. Any speculation on which kind of shaving implement that Indy used?

Jack Flanders wrote:This was only mentioned in TOD when Indy asks Shortround if he had packed his razor. Any speculation on which kind of shaving implement that Indy used?

It would have to have been a straight edge razor like you see in the barber shops. That pretty much was all they had available at the time.

HA! Then there's another piece of Indy gear I already have and didn't know it!

I'm not sure as to when the safety razor was introduced, but the straight razor makes sense due to the high improbability of walking into a regular drug store and picking up a pack of replacement blades in the middle of nowhere.

Safety razors were available as early as the 1890's, (credited to Gillette of Gillette razor blade company fame) and were quite common by WW1. I own (and occasionally use) a 1917 Eversharp safety razor that uses a single edged blade, as did the 'Gem' safety razor (you can still find those blades in your local store), and were standard issue gear for WW1 soldiers. I'm sure that Indy would have more than likely carried something like that, as the blades then were also resharpenable (is that a word?), but replacement blades were becoming more common by the middle of the 1930's. Regards. Michaelson

If I remember correctly weren't safety razors developed for the
servicemen because too many guys were injuring themselves
while trying to shave? I can't recall where I read this, but I was
researching the history of razors awhile back and happened upon
this tidbit.

Regards,
Indybill

Something about that seems familiar. Regards. Michaelson

Check out this website:

http://inventors.about.com/library/inve ... lrazor.htm

It has a whole timeline of razors and shaving. Turns out Indybill was right.

Yep. We could trust our service men with a firearm and explosives, but heaven help us, we couldn't with a straight edged razor! What I find interesting is that according to the timeline, Gillette didn't get his patent until 1901, and yet I have an 1897 Sears and Roebuck reproduction catalog that has his safety razor advertised for sale, along with Eversharp AND Gem. Based on his patent date, apparently he was in a patent race with the other two at the time. I don't remember a 'patent pending' stamp on the ads, but one could come to the conclusion that with all the competition had at that time, he HAD to be working toward one. Regards. Michaelson

I did some research on "The Art of Shaving" go to The Fedora Lounge if you are interested.

http://fedoralounge.skyblueproductions. ... readid=360

Michaelson wrote: I have an 1897 Sears and Roebuck reproduction catalog

Wow, you're older than we all thought! You dont look a day over one hundred

Ken

PS - That means you are even older than Jess

Uh, well, would you believe I borrowed the catalog from HIS library? (grins) Regards. Michaelson

Even so, I like the idea about Indy using a straight razor... I actually used to shave with one, several years ago. Just remember to soften beard with hot water and real shaving lather and sharpen the razor thoroughly on a leather strop... it gets kinda messy otherwise. And mind that jugular....

Apart from that, shaving with a real razor is fun - gives you that true vintage feeling...

/SJ

I can just see it now. Indy doing commercials for Gillette razors:

"Hi folks, Indiana Jones here" ::puts leg up on chair and leans on it::
"As you all know, I've had my fair share of close-shaves!" ::winks::
"But NOTHING shaves closer than the new Gillette single blade saftey razor! Whether You're beating up nazis or drinking the blood of Kali, you owe it to yourself to look your best. For best results, use the Gillette single blade saftey razor with 'Uncle Jones' Old Timey Shaving Unguent' a patented formula sure to cure all of your discombobulations and megrims! Now avaliable at your local druggist"

::voiceover::
Warning: The opinions expressed in this advertisement may not be the opinions of the Gillette Shaving Co. The Gillette Shaving Company does not condone the drinking of blood of any foreign deities, or the action of violence against National Fascists. Void where prohibited, user discretion is advised. Will not ship to CA, RI, or MI. No substitutions, exchanges or refunds. The capitol of Nebraska is Lincoln.

....and as with MOST advertisements, I find the small print the MOST interesting part of the work. High regards. Michaelson

Hi Guys
Just thought i'd add my bit re the razors, the one i use is a Merkur 34. been around since 1934, cool looking, heavy double sided razor and still available to purchase on line. kind regards
bullit[/quote]

It's easy to see why it was "forgotten", as we have seen, Indy does not shave with gear on. You might say that stubble could be gear too! Only in civilization do we see a clean face. (I think "straight razor" too.) btw- about once a year I take my safety razor out to remind myself why technology is cool (normally I use a friendly pivoting double blade with smoothie strip, mmm…smoothie). I had thought of Indy's razor while gouging my face just today!

Langpuss wrote:Ha, I LOVE that ad. I can just picture Harrison Ford right now...

Of course it would only appear in Japan a la "Lost in Translation".

(Speaking of lost in translation, "a la" loosely means "as seen in", or something like that...didn't want anyone to think that I had a spazz moment while typing )

IndianaGuybrush wrote:

I can just see it now. Indy doing commercials for Gillette razors:

"Hi folks, Indiana Jones here" ::puts leg up on chair and leans on it::
"As you all know, I've had my fair share of close-shaves!" ::winks::

LOL I love it, the fine print and all!

I have a straight razor and would love to learn how to shave with it, but I don't trust myself enough yet. I'd probably end up like Van Gogh.

ME: (shaving and singing) La lala la dee--AAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!

(Sound of ear splatting on the bathroom floor)

Mrs. Me: Honey! Telephone!!

ME: WHAT?!

Mrs. Me: I said 'Telephone!' There's a call for you!!!

ME: WHAT?! There's a microphone for some guy named Paul?!

Mrs. Me: NO! There's a phone call! Some guy named Michaelson!!

ME: WHAAAAT??? A funeral pall with a can of Michelob? WHHHaaaa.....?

(Sound of me hitting the floor after a loss of too much blood)

Merkur makes excellent razors. The one I use is made to take
the modern mach3 blades, though the vintage style looks better
on the 'ole counter. As far as soap I like Williams brand because
it's just plain old shaving soap without anything else in it (lanolin is
used in some and I'm allergic). I think that I get a much better
shave with mug and soap than I ever did with any of that super
slippery gel stuff in a can. Why men strayed away from mug and
soap is beyond me. After you get your routine down it doesn't take
any longer to shave with mug and soap than a can of stuff.

Regards,
Indybill

Soldier of Fortune have a nice WWII issue razor for £5.

Brush £6:


The also have the US razor blades for £2.50 in case anyone is looking for them:


I've been thinking about trying out the Blanco No3 on my Canadian bag and think I will get me a razor at the same time, just to see how bad it will hurt compared to a modern razor.

Regards,
Swindiana

Wow, what's their website? :junior: -IJ

Sorry...

http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/

Regards,
Swindiana

Check this site
http://www.antiquemystique.com/barbershop.htm

I love that ad, IG.

I use a all stainless dovo razor with gold accents, here is the web page.

http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-Custom ... ,=,germany

This thread was pretty dusty, but...I want to share a recent aquisition:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/ ... l/ca_1.jpg
This is an Indy era razor I recently won on that auction site. These were made in the 30's. Finding this one with a box and era blades in nice shape are getting a bit more rare but still can be had reasonbly cheap. I got this one for $8, but I've also seen them go as high as $20+. Gold ones are getting pretty hard to come by this clean. I should have this one in my hands today or tomorrow.

Cheers,
Indybill

I never saw this thread before, so thanks for the bump, Bill! That is a sweet piece you picked up there - is that for double-edged safety blades, or single?

I have a razor very much like the one Swindy posted a pic of above...but I sincerly doubt it's old, I must have picked it up almost 20 years ago. So somebody was still making them up until then, at least.

(I still use it sometimes as a starting razor when getting rid of a beard.)

J

Sorry guys....

I think I'll pass on this piece of gear. I like my modern razor. Less decapitations with that.

As an interesting side note. One of the people who were there when King Tut's tomb was opened died because of a staff infection brought on by a cut from his razor. Since this guy and and the others that were there died rather suddenly people claimed it was because of a curse brought on by opening of the tomb.

It's a dual edge razor, very much like Swindy's. The handle unscrews to release the headpiece and the blade.

Just for the record, a DE safety razor is no more likey to cut you than the modern double, triple, quadruple blade saftey razor. I have a mach3 as well as DE razors and I get the better shave with a DE every time. Now straight razors are a different story. I wouldn't recommend shaving with a straight razor unless your fully awake and not in a hurry.

BTW: My new razor was waiting for me when I got home tonight.

Cheers,
Indybill

Excellent find Bill! Thats a piece of gear I'd like to pick up at some point.

Since Indy served on the line in WWI, he probably would have been issued one of these razors that were issued to the AEF:





Since he was obviously fond enough of his hand ejector, he may have kept on using his issue razor, as well.

I think he would use a straight razor, like this one.

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... tml?s=G141

I tend to agree with Mojave. Indy made heavy use of military surplus, I think that at least while he was in the field, he would have made use of the standard issue pistol from WWI. :junior: -IJ

mohave, may I ask where you found that little beauty?

TR

aefsupply.com usually stocks a wonderful replica just like Mojave's...

http://aefsupply.com/personal.htm

I've got one myself with my WWI Marine Corps gear...

LeatherneckJones wrote:aefsupply.com usually stocks a wonderful replica just like Mojave's...

http://aefsupply.com/personal.htm

I've got one myself with my WWI Marine Corps gear...

That's the one!

Wow! I remember when I started this post- back before I became a full-time "lurker" (not to be confused with "Morlock") or, one who reads but rarely posts. I've had a safety razor with double-edged blades for years, and it's a killer. The only time I used it was when I shaved my beard off last summer.

indybill wrote:It's a dual edge razor, very much like Swindy's. The handle unscrews to release the headpiece and the blade.

[...]

BTW: My new razor was waiting for me when I got home tonight.

Cheers,
Indybill

Very nice, Bill, congrats on a fantastic find!

Mine unscrews the same way - shorter like the WWI issue, same handle as the one Swindy picked...I'll have to double-check it for any mfg markings...

Thanks, Leatherneck!!

TR

I use a vintage Gilette razor. I like the shave, not to close, no ingrown hairs. The blades are cheap and hold up better than modern multiblade razors. I also like the ritual of warming the mug, building lather in it, and applying it.
I also have a hand crank blade sharpener(Yo lazy to get up and who made it), you just stick the blade in the side, crank it, and it will put it against two stones, spin them, then flip the blade and do the other side.
My dad would sharpen one on the back of a china plate.

Whenever I'm at home for the summer I use my straight razor. My g/f got me a beutiful DOVO strop shortly after I got it and I love it. My mom still thinks it's still strange. 22 year old shaving with an implement that hasn't really been in use by the public for quite some time. If you're a little hesitant about trying one, there's nothign to be scared of. Just never pull the razor across your skin. It'll cut before you even notice. Also, only go with carbon steel. Holds an edge a little shorter than stainless but MUCH easier to keep sharp. Just remeber to oil the blade once and a while.

For anyone that's interested, the best products i've found are D.R. Harris. I love their shaving soap. It's amazing after trying a bunch of different brands what a difference the type of soap you use makes. They're actually appointed as chemists to the Queen mother and Prince charles. Some of the best stuff you can find. Not cheap but it pays off. There's absolutely no substitute for a real badger hair brush too. i'd like to think Indy would use a straight razor when he's at home. A safety razor is a better bet when he's on his adventures.