RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Nov 2, 2014 16:59:04 GMT -6
There was a request for a few photos of this very early shovelhead style razor. This particular British Ever Ready was likely the first of this type out the door with its 1909 patent.
I have taken the same liberty that many Gillette folks have done and taken the word 'NEW' from the face of the razor and will suggest calling this the -
Ever Ready NEW
I was lucky enough to receive two handles with stroppers with this razor so if there is ever a head floating around without a handle...... Also, I have chosen to do very little cleaning on this razor. It has a lovely patina when viewed in person and is quite 'touchable' and soft on the eyes. It appears to be solid brass with no other plating, but it looks like there is a thin clear coating, particularly on the handle. The handle has a great fit and finish. The knurling is very defined and accurately cut and the pillar roll is finely pressed. The head on the other hand has a certain sort of rawness to it that suggests a fair bit of hand work to create and finish it. All in all, a fabulous early ER. There ya go Birdlives! : )
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Post by mjclark on Nov 2, 2014 17:35:31 GMT -6
Wow! That is gorgeous And the handle design is so similar to the early Autostrops. How does it shave? My much later ER 1924 is perhaps the best shaver in my entire collection.
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Post by fram773 on Nov 2, 2014 18:19:19 GMT -6
Just look at those blade stops... for me as well the 1924 is my best (and most aggressive) shaver. I wonder how this one compares.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Nov 2, 2014 18:45:58 GMT -6
That is a remarkable piece of SE history Wayne.
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Post by wchnu on Nov 2, 2014 19:14:26 GMT -6
That is one fine looking razor there. The craftsmanship is impressive.
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Post by drumzalot on Nov 2, 2014 20:26:52 GMT -6
I don't even know what to say, well, actually I do know what to say ... I wish it was mine!
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spidey9
Lather Catcher
All SE all the time!
Posts: 641
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Post by spidey9 on Nov 3, 2014 1:37:41 GMT -6
Wow. I've learned a great deal in a short time. While I was aware that the "1924" came out earlier than 1924, I had no idea it dated this far back. Calling it the "NEW" 1924 is consistent with the Gillette way of doing things, where the "New Improved" predates the "NEW." Thanks for posting this. --Bob
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Post by birdlives on Nov 3, 2014 2:05:48 GMT -6
Ahhh, Thank You from the very roots of my whiskers.....Man! Thats gotta be the Silver, nah I mean "Brass Chalice" for all Shovelhead lovers out there...and the original pat'd was for the same guy as the 1924, de Mesquita, who later became President of ASR.....So it really is the father of our beloved 1924...
Two thumbs up for some excellent Razor Porn there RM....This beauty is a Heart Breaker and Whisker Killer....};^)
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Nov 3, 2014 16:32:48 GMT -6
.....How does it shave?.... Just look at those blade stops... for me as well the 1924 is my best (and most aggressive) shaver. I wonder how this one compares. I had not used this razor when I posted. But the questions above seemed obvious once I read them. How does it shave?? I loaded a modern GEM and found the problem I typically find - the blade does not sit firmly and is easily pushed back - despite adjusting the closure springs. The side clips simply line up too conveniently (why is this so?? was it to discourage the use of this style razor with the competitors blades???) with the side holes in the modern blade and this detracts greatly from the gripping power of these two ER side tabs. As a result of the lack of grip with the side tabs, the blade moves easily when pushed gently with a fingernail. I wasn't happy with this fit and decided to check out an ER RADIO blade. The fit is absolutely perfect. The side tabs exert pressure on the blade and with the spring hold it very firmly in place. Well. There is the answer for me. I dug out some NOS ER RADIO blades and unwrapped one. The blade edge was excellent with no rust or obvious deterioration under a 40x loupe. It is a double bevelled edge and in nice shape, so I decided to polish it up on a natural finishing stone using a convenient Canadian blade sharpening device, the Cutmor. The edge polished quite nicely and popped hairs once again. I then stropped it using the ER Stropping Device with a cordovan shell strop. And away we go!!!! The blade was suitably sharp - however the edge is a little rough yet. I think that I would focus on more stropping for the next round. I was eager to get going and may have shorted that process a tad. But, the edge cut no problem and provided a comfortable shave. This is indeed an aggressive razor. The gap is similar to the 24 and provides a similar feel - although perhaps a little more aggressive. It feels like a bit of a slip in form might result in a weeper, although I didn't get any. The blade, although substantially thicker than a modern wafer, was very audible as with the 24s. Like someone mentioned in ShadowDads thread about 24s, it sounds like buttering toast. That was a perfect description! So, an aggressive shaver, best suited to a refurbished age appropriate blade and lots of fun. Thanks for asking how it shaved guys! From an ER 24 patent razor set instruction sheet - 'The Singing Razor'
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Post by mjclark on Nov 3, 2014 16:52:05 GMT -6
Outstanding bladework there! And what a superb honing device
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norfolkdick
Master Shaver
Captain of the Razor Blades
Posts: 1,601
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Post by norfolkdick on Nov 4, 2014 2:11:49 GMT -6
Greetings
That's a fascinating old razor and you do not see many of them.
I was especially impressed by the Canadian blade honing holder, I love the simplicity of the design a sharpening device where the angle is infinitely variable by simply adding or subtracting books or any similar flat and level object. I find it amazing how somebody could have thought up such a simple but absolutely brilliant and ingenious device!
Regards Dick.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Nov 4, 2014 11:16:33 GMT -6
Greetings That's a fascinating old razor and you do not see many of them. I was especially impressed by the Canadian blade honing holder, I love the simplicity of the design a sharpening device where the angle is infinitely variable by simply adding or subtracting books or any similar flat and level object. I find it amazing how somebody could have thought up such a simple but absolutely brilliant and ingenious device! Regards Dick. Yes that sharpener is an excellent little device. It comes with a hone that has leather on one side as well. The leather has deteriorated and the hone is a composite synthetic and I feel a little low for finishing blades, so I just use it with whatever hones I choose. The original hone is exactly 1/2 inch thick so the device was designed to set the angle at that height. I typically go with that and as you say, just use whatever thickness of book or what have you to provide a platform. But, once you do a few strokes and check the edge, it is very simple to adjust the height to precisely catch the bevel by just adding some sheets of paper. The very cool feature, is that the blade end rotates by turning the knurled part with your thumb and forefinger. That way you do a stroke, lift and turn the blade over, do another stroke, turn etc. I tend to use circle strokes for the bulk of the edge conditioning, but then use a series of no pressure strokes with turning the blade after each. You only need to put the blade in once and then away you go. It is handy as heck this thing!
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Post by birdlives on Jul 6, 2016 4:50:32 GMT -6
Today was my B'day and this morning, my Holy Grail, a 1909 New Ever Ready arrived at my house..... I have been anticipating a shave with this razor for a few years now....I wasn't disappointed....In fact I was surprised how perfect deMesquita got everything with his first model...Straight out the gate....perfection personified! Now to try and wipe this smile off my face....ha,ha...
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Post by mjclark on Jul 6, 2016 5:52:32 GMT -6
Superb! Happy birthday 😀
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Post by birdlives on Jul 8, 2016 3:32:10 GMT -6
Greetings That's a fascinating old razor and you do not see many of them. I was especially impressed by the Canadian blade honing holder, I love the simplicity of the design a sharpening device where the angle is infinitely variable by simply adding or subtracting books or any similar flat and level object. I find it amazing how somebody could have thought up such a simple but absolutely brilliant and ingenious device! Regards Dick. Yes that sharpener is an excellent little device. It comes with a hone that has leather on one side as well. The leather has deteriorated and the hone is a composite synthetic and I feel a little low for finishing blades, so I just use it with whatever hones I choose. The original hone is exactly 1/2 inch thick so the device was designed to set the angle at that height. I typically go with that and as you say, just use whatever thickness of book or what have you to provide a platform. But, once you do a few strokes and check the edge, it is very simple to adjust the height to precisely catch the bevel by just adding some sheets of paper. The very cool feature, is that the blade end rotates by turning the knurled part with your thumb and forefinger. That way you do a stroke, lift and turn the blade over, do another stroke, turn etc. I tend to use circle strokes for the bulk of the edge conditioning, but then use a series of no pressure strokes with turning the blade after each. You only need to put the blade in once and then away you go. It is handy as heck this thing! BTW....RM.....if you sometime just want to take this 1909 Beauty out for a spin, and just want to use a GEM Stainless......I found, that if you load a modern GEM, and press your left thumb down on the edge (holding it in place with the blade stops.....Then with my right hand I take an Injector blade. Put it's edge just above the blade side holders. Then slide the injector blade, edge first under the side blade holders....Just enough to cover the side holes of the GEM....BINGO! Now close and shave....This 1909 is a wonderful shaver with a modern GEM Stainless....and that injector blade locks the GEM blade in nice and tight....This might be my favorite shaving razor in my whole stable.....Might settle down and let this New Ever Ready make an honest shaver out of me.....}8^))
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