snuff
Shave Master
Posts: 115
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Post by snuff on Jun 7, 2015 5:14:01 GMT -6
Found another one in good condition, it's made in France by Mardor (between 1880 and 1920). Takes wedges and a modern blade, first shave tomorrow. Got great news yesterday, a bunch of my SE's have finished there stay in the Razor Spa and will join me next week, all in their new dress (another bunch will take there place for some good care).
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Post by PJGH on Jun 7, 2015 6:41:47 GMT -6
Sound! I have one of these, but under the Le Grelot brand. L'Essor also sold this frame but with a different handle, the same one as the Le Grelot.
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Post by wchnu on Jun 7, 2015 13:22:05 GMT -6
Great looking razor.
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fergie
Shave Master
Posts: 122
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Post by fergie on Jun 7, 2015 20:07:21 GMT -6
These are lovely razors....I got one of these posted through my door just last week and like Pauls, mine comes under a different brand name...The one I have has a solid hexagon handle...I have not shaved with it yet, but it looks and feels quite aggressive.
<img style="max-width: 100%;" alt="" src=''>
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jun 9, 2015 23:42:19 GMT -6
These are all the same manufacturer with different brand names?
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fergie
Shave Master
Posts: 122
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Post by fergie on Jun 10, 2015 7:32:58 GMT -6
Yeah, it would appear that's the case according to "A Safety Razor Compendium", by Robert K. Waits....He does go onto to say, however, that the "Manufacturer is Un-Known"....There are no makers name on these razors....Like the one above, some have the Model Name that it was getting sold under......Mine hasn't any markings at all....
Some of the French Vintage SEs are the hardest to identify because very few of them have a Manufacturers Name on them...No one seems to know the reason for that....Anther thing that complicates matters is that a lot of French SEs were American Safety Razor Company Designs that were made by different Ghost Manufacturers in Europe....Weird I know....
But I think these ones are indeed French designs....
Billy
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jun 11, 2015 0:46:11 GMT -6
Where are the french razor experts?? This is a pretty vague area for knowledge. They did crank out some lovely items though. Different blade sizes too than this side of the pond. It would be great to have more info available. This might be the first thread I have seen even looking at comparing/contrasting the French SEs.
Maybe I need to learn a little french and look around on french forums and see if there is more. But with my language learning skills, that isn't likely! : )
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Post by PJGH on Jun 11, 2015 1:35:05 GMT -6
From the small collection that I've got, the wedges that fit my Le Grelot, L'Essor, Heljestrand, Henckels and Rapide also fit my earlier ASRs. Le Coq used a deeper wedge. ASR sized wedges do fit, but they're held just so ... which would be a little slack if the back clip was not absolutely bob on. These French wedge holders really were very well made and while poor examples do exist, most tend to be in really good condition.
This razor style can be found under all manner of names. Wait lists them all as "manufacturer unknown".
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fergie
Shave Master
Posts: 122
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Post by fergie on Jun 11, 2015 2:24:54 GMT -6
If you are on the hunt in the Wild for French SEs here's what I do......If you google "translate English to French" a box will come up and it will translate it for you...The best way to get them is to go into French EBay....Not the English Version....Don't ask me why, but the English version limits your search as a lot of the stuff does not come up......
I always use either GERMAN EBAY or FRENCH EBAY and search in that countries own Language.....Once you get used to using the google translation box its fine.....As Paul said a lot of these French SEs are" Manufactures Un - Known" and that's by the experts....Its a grey area....But that doesn't take anything away from how elegant some of these French SEs are....
Billy
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snuff
Shave Master
Posts: 115
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Post by snuff on Jun 11, 2015 12:56:38 GMT -6
Good advice about the search from fergie, I do the same, helps that we learn french and german in school.
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spidey9
Lather Catcher
All SE all the time!
Posts: 641
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Post by spidey9 on Jun 11, 2015 19:01:28 GMT -6
If you use the Google Chrome browser, any time you are looking at a page with foreign text all you have to do is right-click, and one of the menu choices in the popup window will be "Translate to English" (or whatever native language your browser is set for). This was extremely helpful when I was navigating the Plisson website. I learned some German in high school, but that was a really long time ago. --Bob
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fergie
Shave Master
Posts: 122
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Post by fergie on Jun 13, 2015 3:37:50 GMT -6
French Louis SE Lather Catcher... ''> These come up from time to time on French EBay....These are elegant and classy razors..
For more Intel....See this Link....... theoriginalsafetytoo.com/threads/recent/1856
Anyone that peruses a Louis in the Wild wont be disappointed ....These shave and feel very akin to a GEM/Ever Ready Lather Catcher....
Billy
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fergie
Shave Master
Posts: 122
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Post by fergie on Jun 13, 2015 18:56:06 GMT -6
The French Prima... <img style="max-width: 100%;" alt="" src=''> Another shot... <img style="max-width: 100%;" alt="" src=''> I acquired the Prima SE, manufactured by Francaise D Armes Et Cycles De St Etiennie a few weeks ago for £24.00 posted....Like the later GEM Micromatics, the Prima was advertised as a Double Edge Razor because it takes a reversible Single Edge Blade.
I didn't get the blade with the razor, but I have another picture of one showing the correct blade exposure...I am planning to modify an Injector Blade for the Prima by drilling two holes to locate it in the original blade locater on the base plate...I don't for see any problems....I will knock out a number of them at the same time for the purpose of convenience.....
The Prima is a high end quality built razor with an unusual design.....The front Cap or Lid is hinged and flips open...The Knob that you can see in the centre is spring loaded......The user pushes the bottom of the handle like a ball point pen and this pushes out and twists the Knob to locate the Cap in place....Took me more than a moment to work it out.....I thought that I had bought a melon and was cursing the seller for a moment....
This is a Heavy Weight Razor and is in Mint Condition ....The Prima is about the same size length as GEM Bar Junior with a short wooden handle......A Real Midget... .These do pop up now and again and sell for low prices....They will take a modified GEM Blade as well, but I am an Injector Blade Fanatic......The Prima will be honoured with an NOS Schick Platinum Injector Blade....With this Ferocious looking Open Comb design this is going to be one Aggressive Blood Thirsty Beasty no bones about it...
Looking forward to setting her up and taking her for a test drive......
Billy
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RocketMan
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Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jun 13, 2015 21:37:51 GMT -6
Ok. Show and tell! Here is my Louis I posted a in 2012. Louis SE kit
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Post by drumzalot on Jun 15, 2015 12:40:22 GMT -6
All I can say is beautiful razors gentlemen!
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