RocketMan
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Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jan 25, 2012 23:12:10 GMT -6
I am presenting the Wester Safety Razor - circa 1911-1916? I haven't a lot of information on this razor, but I picked it up from our very own Hoosier Trooper and thought it should be my first razor post here at the improved site! It is a fabulous shaver and holds a modern SE very well. It was built for wedges, but as a wafer shaver it rocks! It seems that Wester Bros was a company founded in New York in approx 1902 by Charles and Max Wester, the sons of August Wester, who was an owner at the time of the renowned German cutlery company, Wester & Butz (founded in 1832). The two sons essentially came at an opportune time in the razor/cutlery business, opened their doors in New York, and had an excellent supply of wares from dad. So very likely, this particular razor was sold in the early 1910s right in the heart of the Big Apple. The Rapide was a German razor which the Wester Bros essentially copied once the US 1894 patent for the Rapide expired in 1911. This model of Wester Bros razor was most certainly put into competion with the Rapide, and the other 'copies' by Henckels, Wostenholm and other makers looking to take advantage of the expired patent.
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Post by spinyeel on Jan 26, 2012 15:24:57 GMT -6
Very nice indeed.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Jan 26, 2012 15:39:10 GMT -6
The old guy that came from is still alive, 102 I think now.
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jan 27, 2012 0:23:57 GMT -6
The old guy that came from is still alive, 102 I think now. Well, he can't have his razor back!!!!
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Post by wchnu on Jan 27, 2012 0:50:08 GMT -6
The old guy that came from is still alive, 102 I think now. Well, he can't have his razor back!!!! Probably has a big ole long thick beard. Fuzzy
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Post by Trout Whisperer on Jan 27, 2012 17:10:18 GMT -6
Is that brass-looking clip spring loaded, or how does it work?
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RocketMan
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Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Jan 27, 2012 20:13:42 GMT -6
Well, he can't have his razor back!!!! Probably has a big ole long thick beard. Fuzzy I'll tell ya, I'm a softy with old folks. If it had of been his car and he needed it again after a miracle cure from cancer, or his walker cuz he could finally afford shoes again - I would be the first to return his stuff. But, My Gawd Man - it is the sweetest little razor don't ya think? He can always learn to knit a goatee or something!! Is that brass-looking clip spring loaded, or how does it work? If you notice a section of the shaft under the head is threaded and a female threaded disk/wheel is in place. As the disk threads up or down, the curvature of the retaining clip moves the clip either up and forwards, or down and away from the blade base. Really, and if I can use this phrase here, an elegant design don't ya think? So, you turn the disk to tighten or loosen the clip. It is probably the nature of this design element that allows to accommodate modern SE blades so well - they tighten in like a charm!
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Post by Trout Whisperer on Jan 30, 2012 21:01:16 GMT -6
Oh, I get it. That's a brilliant design.
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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 Jan 31, 2012 20:51:52 GMT -6
Really sweet!
Elegant design too.
So how does it shave?
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Feb 4, 2012 22:38:09 GMT -6
Really sweet! Elegant design too. So how does it shave? Well - it is in the top list of shavers for me. It is really a sweet tool to use. The knurling on this is so well done that it is just a treat to grip. The head presents the blade really well - shaving around the nostrils, which can be a bugger with some of the others, is a snap with this one. She drives just fine!!! I would never give this one up!!
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Post by bprendie on Apr 7, 2013 6:33:58 GMT -6
Sorry to bump this thread to the top after a year, but in my search for a wedge blade stropping handle, I ran across a complete travel set of a wester bros razor, blades and handle. I'm going to give it a try this morning, and I'll be sure to post lots of pics and my results as well.
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Post by Alan on Apr 7, 2013 7:05:35 GMT -6
I'm glad you did bump it. I missed this thread when it first posted. I've never seen a razor like this before and really, really, really like it. I think I'll start to go on the hunt for one. Please let us know how yours shaves!
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Post by birdlives on Apr 7, 2013 9:36:03 GMT -6
Wow!! I'm so glad this got bumped aswell....Man, this is a super design....the way you can tighten up that spring or lossen it if you ever decide to go the stropped wedge blade route....Its just too cool for school...and so modern looking!....This is something...
So Tom...what was the guy you got it from like....did he know alot about razors?
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Post by bprendie on Apr 7, 2013 9:38:08 GMT -6
So right after I posted this, I discovered that, sadly, the blade catch was broken off on the Wester Bros. I'll still post up the pics this evening when I get back, but there will be no "field test" unfortunately.
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Post by bprendie on Apr 7, 2013 9:59:15 GMT -6
Here is a pic of the travel set I got on the 'bay. Unpacked, here's what fits in that little box: As can be seen here, the blade stop on the left is missing, and the blade moves around a bit. This picture is the Wester Bros side-by side with my 2 Henckels. A Rapide, and a Wotan. THe Rapide is in Gold, and the Wotan, Silver. Unlike the Henckels razors, that the Wester seems to be a copy of, this particular Wester has a removable head and handle. One thing that was immediately apparent on this particular razor, was just how much of a "copy" it felt like. Compared to the Rapide or Wotan, the handle feels much lighter, and feels - I hate to use the word - "cheap." The specimen that the OP posted on the thread looked to be of a much higher quality than this one. If anyone is up for a restoration, and is willing to give this razor some love and get it back into rotation, PM me, and I'll be happy to send it your way. I bought it for the stropping handle, and that's what I ended up with. As always, Good Shaving! ~Bob
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