Post by drumzalot on May 20, 2015 20:37:02 GMT -6
The name for my latest safety razor oddity is quite a contradiction. The razor is not a giant by any means, in fact it's the opposite. Let me introduce to you the Giant Junior single edge safety razor.
History of the Giant Junior
The Junior's user manual states that the razor is by “The United Selling Company.” This company used to be located at 59th St. and 11 Ave (New York City). Robert Waits mentions that the Giant Junior was probably manufactured by the Unsinger Razor Blade Co. I familiar with Unisnger razors, I had previously reviewed two razors manufactured by that company.
It appears that the United Selling Company might have just distributed the razor. The razor was also sold as the Woods Giant Junior. As for the age of the Giant Junior, the oldest ad I can find is from March of 1914. I will simply state that the oldest date shown for the Giant Junior is 1914. Below is the oldest ad I have found for the Giant Junior.
The Giant Junior's box
The Junior's case is a simple cardboard case, it's so small that it can fit in the palm of your hand! The case isn't very thick it can easily get crushed. The case has a classic old time design of a by gone era. I absolutely love the design of this old world box!
Inside the Giant Junior's box
Just what is inside the old fashioned box?
Here is everything, the Giant Junior safety razor, the user's manual and one original blade is included. How much more simple can this little package get?
Dissecting the Giant Junior safety razor
A multiple view of the Giant Junior razor.
I wonder if the name Giant was deliberately used for this tiny razor. This is one of the smallest razors in my collection.
The handle is not removable and carries the bulk of the weight. The knurling pattern on the handle is excellent, it is hard for this handle to slip in wet hands. The Giant Junior truly appears to be a blade on stick but is this the case?
Scans of the user's manual
What a deal! The complete set for just 10 cents! I wonder if anyone ever filled out the form and asked for their money back? How about filling out the form getting your money back plus keeping the razor? Just a bad thought.
The razor blade
The Giant Junior blade is a bit unique but not very different from a modern SE blade. All edges of the blade have diagonal cut outs.
Razor blade compatibility
The good news about the Giant Junior is that it's compatible with a modern Gem blade. The only drawback is that a modern Gem blade isn't the best choice. A Feather SE razor blade is the better choice for the Giant Junior.
The Junior's blade is taller and slightly wider then a modern Gem blade. The Junior's blade is slightly taller then a Feather SE blade but both are the same width. For the reasons noted, it's best to use a Feather SE blade. For even better compatibility it's best to mod the Feather blade. The mod isn't difficult only slightly tedious.
The Shave Review
Going WTG went surprisingly smooth. I expect razors of similar design to catch on hair and skip around the face, this only happened very little and wasn't very noticeable. The razor became slightly aggressive going XTG and ATG. I have to stress that the Giant shares one thing in common with the Ever-Ready 1924, the Giant requires your angle to be spot on.
Placing the Giant's head flat on your skin can make the blade cut through your flesh! You will also be bitten if you lose concentration. The best angle for the Giant Junior is exactly the same as a 1912. The Giant also requires a light touch. Do not add force during the shave or you will pay the price. In my first shave, I was hampered by the fact that the blade's sharp corners stuck out of the razor's head.
You could feel the edges of the blade trying to cut into your skin (but they didn't). As shown by the picture above, I decided to clip off the angles of the corners of the cutting edge. I should have initially tested the razor this way but this will improve the next shave! Due to my overly cautious shave I yielded a DFS. I can tell that the Giant is capable of a BBS though.
Is it a great shaver? No. The Giant Junior is not a bad shaver either! It's a razor that requires a good angle, strict concentration, plus a properly modded blade, with all of these variables working correctly the Giant gives a good shave.
The Bad, The Good & The Summary
Let's get the bad out of the way. You can just install a modern Gem blade without modifying it. I suspect that the Gem blade will yield a rough shave. The Gem blade is also a bit too small. I strongly believe that a stainless steel Feather blade works best in the Giant Junior. Feather blades are pricey, the Feather requires all edges to be clipped. Clipping off the back edges are easy, the front edges are a bit tedious. You must be very cautious to not warp the Feather blade during the modification process.
A good degree of concentration is required to use the Giant Junior (think of the Ever-Ready 1924). The handle is a tad on the small side. I had to occasionally crimp my hand to hold the razor tightly during the shave. The good news is that Giant Junior will give you a good close shave. First, you must make sure that all of the variables noted above are working together. Also, this is NOT a beginners razor!
I would not recommend this razor for people new to the wet shaving world. If you can shave with an Ever-Ready 1924 then you can drive the Giant Junior. With the Feather blade properly modded (pictured above) it's ready for another good (not great) shave. The Giant Junior is a razor that I can see reaching for once in a while.