Post by drumzalot on Jul 23, 2013 12:12:00 GMT -6
I heard a Radio razor cutting away my whiskers. I would like to show you my obscure "Radio" razor. This is a British made single edge razor that appears to be a 1912 variant.
The razor is a near copy of a Gem 1912, I say near because there are a few differences. The most notable difference is the handle. As you can see the Radio has a rounded handle with a knurling pattern that reminds me of another obscure razor the Leslie Junior. There are also two rings located near the bottom of the handle. On the back of the razor's head it is stamped "Radio Made In England."
Inside the Razor it is stamped "Radio British Made." The final difference is that Radio has a less bright but darker finish compared to a Gem 1912. The razor's head is the same design as a Gem 1912. The words "PATD 1912" are stamped on the bottom of the head that connects to the handle. I have been unsuccessful in finding any information about this razor it seems to be rare.
At first I thought that it might have been made by Ever-Ready during the time when they were promoting Radio Blades. However, I have not found any information that describes any promotional razor called Radio for Radio blades. I believe that this razor was manufactured by an English company independent from Gem/Ever-Ready though I could be wrong?
The only information remotely related to the razor I found was running across an empty wrapper for a "Radio British Made" razor blade that was also marked as "Finest Sheffield Steel." These two items seem to be related but the blade wrapper had no information of who the manufacturer was. In the end I came up without any information unless anyone out there knows any history about this particular razor.
So how does it shave? For this review I will compare it to my Gem 1912 (with the ornate handle) there are three noticeable differences with the Radio razor. One odd thing that stands out is that I could literally smell this razor. Yes, I said I could smell this razor. Each time that I shaved the upper lip area I could not help but to smell the steel off the razor. This is something I had never noticed in any other razor I own.
The Radio was a tad lighter in weight and more mild compared to it's 1912 cousin. The light mild touch of the Radio made me feel that it probably would not be aggressive enough to shave well but I was wrong. It proved to be just as efficient and thorough as my Gem 1912. Due to it's more light and mild performance it was a more pleasant experience then my Gem 1912.
I will definitely keep the Radio on regular rotation it is a solid performer.
The razor is a near copy of a Gem 1912, I say near because there are a few differences. The most notable difference is the handle. As you can see the Radio has a rounded handle with a knurling pattern that reminds me of another obscure razor the Leslie Junior. There are also two rings located near the bottom of the handle. On the back of the razor's head it is stamped "Radio Made In England."
Inside the Razor it is stamped "Radio British Made." The final difference is that Radio has a less bright but darker finish compared to a Gem 1912. The razor's head is the same design as a Gem 1912. The words "PATD 1912" are stamped on the bottom of the head that connects to the handle. I have been unsuccessful in finding any information about this razor it seems to be rare.
At first I thought that it might have been made by Ever-Ready during the time when they were promoting Radio Blades. However, I have not found any information that describes any promotional razor called Radio for Radio blades. I believe that this razor was manufactured by an English company independent from Gem/Ever-Ready though I could be wrong?
The only information remotely related to the razor I found was running across an empty wrapper for a "Radio British Made" razor blade that was also marked as "Finest Sheffield Steel." These two items seem to be related but the blade wrapper had no information of who the manufacturer was. In the end I came up without any information unless anyone out there knows any history about this particular razor.
So how does it shave? For this review I will compare it to my Gem 1912 (with the ornate handle) there are three noticeable differences with the Radio razor. One odd thing that stands out is that I could literally smell this razor. Yes, I said I could smell this razor. Each time that I shaved the upper lip area I could not help but to smell the steel off the razor. This is something I had never noticed in any other razor I own.
The Radio was a tad lighter in weight and more mild compared to it's 1912 cousin. The light mild touch of the Radio made me feel that it probably would not be aggressive enough to shave well but I was wrong. It proved to be just as efficient and thorough as my Gem 1912. Due to it's more light and mild performance it was a more pleasant experience then my Gem 1912.
I will definitely keep the Radio on regular rotation it is a solid performer.