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Post by drumzalot on Apr 25, 2014 21:31:37 GMT -6
Just a warning this post is picture heavy. With the price being very low and the excellent condition that this English made Ever-Ready 1912 is I just couldn't pass it up. The razor came with a black bakelite case. Inside the case is (of course) the 1912 razor along with an original "Peach" single edge razor blade. I had never heard of Peach SE blades nor have I been able to find information about who manufactured these Peach blades. Also included inside the case is a small leaflet. The leaflet has the instructions printed on one side and on the other side is a promotional ad for the Peach razor blades. Apparently Peach blades were being sold (promoted) by the UK retailer Marks & Spencer Ltd.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 25, 2014 21:32:27 GMT -6
Here is a multiple picture of the ER razor. There are some differences between the British and American versions of the ER ornate handle 1912 models. I do not have a scale to weigh these two razors but by hand the British ER is slightly lighter and it is also slightly taller then it's American counterpart. Of course, as you can see I am comparing the British ER version with an American Gem ornate handle 1912. I only own another British made SE razor and that is my Radio 1912. I would assume that this razor was manufactured in the 1930's and it was labeled as the "New Improved." The leaflet only refers to this model simply as the Ever-Ready razor. I would like to polish the razor with Simichrome though I am unsure if this is a good idea. Some people consider British ER razors to be slightly more aggressive then their American versions. I will eventually test drive the British ER and find out if this is so. I will not use the Peach razor blade since I intend on keeping it for collection's sake. This is a very nice addition to my collection.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 25, 2014 21:52:57 GMT -6
Here is a scan of the small leaflet that came enclosed in the case. I like having the instructions for any razor since most of them tend to get lost throughout time. As you can see there is a promotional ad for the Peach SE razor blades. I wonder if the offer is still going on? The other side of the leaflet is the small quick guide on how to use the Ever-Read razor in just three easy steps!
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Post by mjclark on Apr 25, 2014 23:02:54 GMT -6
Very nice indeed! Marks and Spencer is still going. If only they still sold razor blades!
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Apr 25, 2014 23:14:24 GMT -6
Looks good! Good decision on the blade. It lost it's edge many years ago because it's got to be carbon steel.
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Post by PJGH on Apr 26, 2014 1:55:10 GMT -6
Ever Ready produced the "1914" and "1924" through to 1930 where they switched to the "1912" which was sold simply as the "New Improved Ever Ready" so that all stacks up. I have both variants of this handle and should have taken more note of the differences. I think it's down to weight and just how embossed the design is - the edges seem more spiky on one than the other. I'll need to take another look. M&S used to sell razors, too ... in fact had their own brand "Marspen". I have a (shhh) DE of that brand. Wouldn't it be a turn up to find a 1912 with M&S stamped on the back I guess Peach was to liken the blade to being able to shave a peach? EDIT: Here's mine, for comparison ... I've weighed this handle and the one from my US made and they both come in at 40g exactly.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 26, 2014 18:43:54 GMT -6
Gentlemen, thank you for the compliments.I recently gave the British ER 1912 a test drive and it is practically no different then the American version. Of course my personal experience of this razor is purely the whole ymmv. Like all of my 1912 SE razors it gave a smooth easy shave. The only difference for me is that the British ER felt a tad lighter during the shave. Speaking of the razor's weight ... Paul, I do not have the appropriate scale to weigh the two razors. Do you have the weight of both British and American 1912 razors not just the handles? I see that your case is brown mine is black. Yes, it does have "spiky" edges but I think it adds better grip. I understand that some British ER razors came with an aluminum handle. MJ, if only every retailer out in the modern world sold classic razors! Brian, I never use any of the original blades that came with any of my razors. By experience I have found out that the majority are dull. On one side of the razor blade's wrapper it reads "British made." My British ER 1912 was listed as being in great condition and probably have never been used. The razor does not have any tarnish plate loss nor soap scum. The razor opens and snaps shut very tightly the same way my NOS Gem Junior 1912 does. I would say that this razor has never been used before. It makes a great addition to my 1912 collection.
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Post by PJGH on Apr 27, 2014 3:49:26 GMT -6
"Chain Link" Ever Ready British Made/Made in England - 62g (40g Handle 22g Head) Ever Ready Made in USA/Blank Back - 62g (40g Handle 22g Head) GEM Brooklyn New York Made in USA/GEM (Gold) - 70g! (48g Handle 22g Head) ... other comparisons: Ever Ready British Made/Made in England - 62g (40g Chain Mail Handle 22g Head) GEM Brooklyn New York Made in USA/GEM Junior - 60g (38g Notched Edge Handle 22g Head) Ever Ready British Made/Made in England (Bathroom Set) - 36g (14g Streamline-style Handle 22g Head) Ever Ready British Made/Made in England - 36g (14g Aluminium Hangle 22g Head) Ever Ready Brooklyn New York Made in USA/Ever Ready (Curved Cap) - 56g (34g Short Ribbed Handle 22g Head) GEM Brooklyn New York Made in USA/GEM (Curved Cap New De Luxe) - 62g (38g Short Lined Handle 24g Head) ... no matter how many times I weighed, re-weighed and move it around on the scales this last one refused to have a 22g head.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 27, 2014 10:46:49 GMT -6
Thank you for posting the weight for each razor the information is very helpful. This is my second time using the new British ER. For me the British ER has a lighter touch during the shave, I wonder if this has to do with the back of the British version being taller then it's American cousin. Yes, I do get stuck on such minor details but of course this is just me. You have a fantastic collection of 1912's! I absolutely love the handle of your Bathroom Set 1912, every day I keep a look out trying to find one! You got to love the 1912's with the curved top plate they really do shave better.
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Post by PJGH on Apr 27, 2014 11:01:11 GMT -6
Thanks, Joe - Likewise, you've collected a number of excellent examples there. The longer handled ones are interesting. I think the weights consistently show that whatever minor variations we might be seeing ... might just be in our minds I get absolutely no difference in shave between British and American variants - the weight of the handle makes all the difference in terms of balance, and I'm struggling to think how the gold tone might have been different, being substantially different in terms of head and handle weight. The later ones with the lightweight handle do zip around the face easily - handles half the weight of the head compared to twice the weight makes a big difference. Yeah, the Bathroom Set handle is a sort of 'Little Streamline' (as the 1914 is a 'Little Lather Catcher'). It came with a stropper to match with a slightly shorter handle, around the same length as the curved cap examples. Of mine, my favourites are the one at the 10 o'clock position and the New De Luxe at the 8 o'clock position. Whatever ... Your British Set is a lovely little bit of history, especially with the blades and flyer. M&S started right here in the county of Yorkshire - over in the city of Leeds: corporate.marksandspencer.com/aboutus/ourhistory... and there is an e-mail address for the company archive team! company.archive@marks-and-spencer.com ... just looking at the beginning of the film, they would appear to have a comprehensive history of the company. I'm sure they'd love you to get in touch. I had absolutely no idea there was a building on the University Campus dedicated to the brand: marksintime.marksandspencer.com ... next time I'm in Leeds, I'll go and have a look, perhaps tied in with some conversation with the archivists beforehand to see what shaving paraphernalia they have.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 27, 2014 12:52:16 GMT -6
I have read other reviews where some swear that (at least in the two models I compared) the British version was more aggressive. To me they are equally the same. Since you have weighed them both the difference is in my mind (nothing new there) that the British version feels a tad bit lighter. I also feel that my gold plated Gem Junior 1912 doesn't glide as smoothly on my skin as do my nickel or chrome plated razors. Just about every razor that I own has (what I believe) to be their unique characteristics and this to me is part of my love for these vintage shavers ... I need help! Again, thank you for the information Paul. I love adding pictures here is another one.
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Post by PJGH on Apr 27, 2014 13:38:59 GMT -6
Beautiful! Love the little ER logo in the corner I'm with you on the unique feel, which is why I have a fistful of these things and not one could be parted with, each giving a lovely shave. Personalities.
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papabear
Blade King
Looking for one that is just right
Posts: 465
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Post by papabear on Apr 28, 2014 6:48:23 GMT -6
Drumz, you sure have a peach of a razor there, stately lines with a elegant head.
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Post by drumzalot on Apr 28, 2014 14:39:16 GMT -6
Hello Rich, indeed she is a beaut and here is yet another picture.
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Post by coolbus18 on Apr 28, 2014 21:26:00 GMT -6
Wow and double wow! Nice pics Joe.
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