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Post by mjclark on Oct 10, 2014 14:33:16 GMT -6
I am extremely pleased to have acquired this Ever Ready Heavy Flat Top Set. The white plastic blade holder and ribbed box make it look like something from Doctor Who and I love the handle design. Can anybody date this set? My problem is that until now I haven't enjoyed any ASR razors after the Clogpruf. I'm told the Streamline is outstanding but have no experience of it (unless you want me to have a cheeky go with yours Paul ). I loathe and detest the Contour,Pushbutton and Featherweight/Natural Angle, and of course the HFT has the same head, so we'll see... ...the thing is that it's such a nice set that I want it to work for me. Until using the Ronson and reading CB's reports of the British Personna, I'd wondered if there was a rule of razors that the cooler it looked the worse it shaved (viz. PAL Adjustable). Like the rule that in wars the side with the smartest uniforms always loses. To contradict this rule the Ronson razor looks stunning and shaves accordingly so I wonder what the HFT can do.
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Post by PJGH on Oct 10, 2014 14:47:22 GMT -6
You need some perspective, pal ... each razor has its place. I actually love the Contour ... for the right shave. Pushbuttons, too, Featherweights, also. Now, the earlier Featherweights had the same cap as these, but the heavier handle does help the shave, I think. I hope you enjoy it. Yeah, if you want to try the Streamline I can send it down. It's a heavy 1912 - the best I can describe it. I think the 1912 gives a better shave, but then I think the Mark II Ford Escort was a far more fun and efficient ride than any Rolls Royce of the day. Still, nice to have a cruise in a Roller
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Post by mjclark on Oct 10, 2014 14:54:18 GMT -6
For real Paul! I would love to try your Streamline! And yes the weighty and opulent Valet VB2 does not shave as well as the downmarket VC2. I'm also aware that a lot of razors are worth revisiting. The 1924 and Empire were love-at-first-shave but the 1912, 1914 and Valets have revealed their innate excellence only gradually to me. This E-Bar comes from the same decade as the Injectomatic, so it may yet contain greatness
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Post by drumzalot on Oct 10, 2014 22:00:47 GMT -6
Marcus, I can't give you a specific date for when the Heavy Flat Top was released. I know that it was released before the Feather Weight (Slim-V 1953). I have tried to find ads for the HFT but I have only seen one (so far). My best guess is that it was either released in 1948 or 1949. I don't want to give you the wrong information this is just my best guess. Hopefully, one of the forum members can give you the exact date.
I am in the same camp as Paul. I find the Push-Button and Feather Weight to be solid shavers. The Contour model doesn't really work for me though. The HFT is built like a tank with solid weight. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of the HFT it leaves too much stubble, it's not aggressive but it shaves a tad rough for me.
BTW, I am giving you information for the American HFT not the British Ever-Ready HFT. I would rather give you some info then none.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Oct 11, 2014 6:35:31 GMT -6
Nice looking set! I drug out my G-Bar/HFT a couple days ago, it's been several months since I used it, and loaded it up with a Treet blade that had one shave on it. Lathered up with Arko and actually got a decent shave but my neck looks and feels like I rubbed it with sandpaper, something that I very, very seldom ever have a problem with since I only go with two WTG passes. I'm not sure what went wrong but I've taken a couple days off to let it heal up.
To me the Streamline is a 1912 on steroids that has had extensive custom body work done on it. It's my number 1 razor.
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Post by mjclark on Oct 11, 2014 6:37:30 GMT -6
Thanks Joe! I'm getting really excited to try the HFT tonight. Three Featherweights have passed through my hands so far, and I'll consider revisiting it after hearing such praise.
My big problem from the Clogpruf onwards is neck irritation - I don't encounter any problems with GEMs and Ever Readys up to the OCMM. As I said, I'd really like the E-Bar to work for me, so let's find out...
...and the Streamline sounds awesome. My heavy bulldog handle from the Darwin set will fit my British ER 1912 head so I wonder how that would work out?
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Post by mjclark on Oct 11, 2014 16:34:09 GMT -6
Ok so I shaved with the ER HFT tonight and was very pleased indeed with the shave. Much milder than my normal shavers but this did allow for much more vigorous ATG passes. As with the Feather Weight there's a little bit of neck irritation but this passes so quickly that it's easily forgiveable. The most difficult thing about this razor was figuring out a good grip with the weird handle. The intuitive move of putting my little finger under the flat end didn't work but gripping with thumb and index finger did. A big factor for me is what the regrowth looks and feels like (horrible with DEs, superb with 1912s and Rolls) so tomorrow morning will be decisive...
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Post by mjclark on Oct 12, 2014 5:31:20 GMT -6
14 hours on the regrowth is slow and smart so this HFT is definitely a winner. As others have found, I have been hard pressed to locate any ads for this model. The shippers on these sets simply said "The New Ever Ready Razor" and some of the literature describes the head design as the Slim-V. Looking at my set, there's a slim V marking on the box too:
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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 Oct 12, 2014 23:11:42 GMT -6
Great that it worked for you!
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Post by mjclark on Oct 12, 2014 23:55:26 GMT -6
Thanks Brian! I'm very surprised at how much I'm enjoying this razor. I guess openmindedness and perserverance are a good combination
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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 Oct 13, 2014 1:03:00 GMT -6
Yes indeed!
The first few times I tried the G Bar I really didn't like it because of the handle. It shaved OK but as everyone has already written, mild. I can use one today, but it still isn't my favorite razor. I think I have one, and if I do it never gets used anymore. I keep it more as part of a reference library of razors.
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Post by mpf9ret on Nov 10, 2015 1:57:23 GMT -6
Have recently acquired an Ever Ready Featherweight [ E Bar, HFT ] which is the British equivalent of the GEM G Bar. Shaved with it this morning with fresh blade. The shave was pretty good, and feel sure that it is a more aggressive razor than the Gem. I am tomorrow going to use a Gem with a fresh blade ,to compare the two. Has anyone on the Forum found this to be the case. I think this works in a similar manner with the ER 1912 s.
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