Rolls Razor -- Cool Gift

[BobS]

My Son knows that I have gotten into wet shaving and this is what he gave me for Christmas. I would be interested in information that folks may have about age and how common/uncommon it is to find them. Sorry about the poor quality of the pictures.



It came with a complete set of instructions and a separate price list.



The metal case opens from both sides - inside the top is a strop on one side and a hone on the other.



The blade (propped against the left end of the case) is like a short section of a straight razor and the edge has a protective bar around it.



Here is the razor assembled. The picture is poor but the entire blade angles down and the edge rides about 1/32" above the protective bar.

[Big Red Dog]

I really can't help you with the age of your Rolls, sorry. I picked up two off of Ebay. I continue to use one in my rotation and have the blades for a spare. I really enjoy shaving with the Rolls. Great little item!

Try these two links.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Rolls_Razor and here is another thread that i think you will find helpful.

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/sho...ht=rolls+razor

[Saxmoore]

There is a newly formed social group for Rolls Razors, too. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/group.php?groupid=111

[FTG]

Here's a few links from Google:

http://www.google.com.au/search?sour...&q=rolls+razor

Here's the Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls_Razor

And a pretty cool (though a bit 'arty') video:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...ideoID=5098381


Another couple of videos from Google search:
http://video.google.com.au/videosear...d=0CCQQqwQwAw#

Prices / how common:

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/The-Rolls-...00000010241212

And of course there has been discussion here on B&B - so just put 'rolls razor' into the search button.

Nice present btw!!

All the best,
Michael.

[BobS]

Thanks for the information. It is hard to believe that these were being made in the 60's.

I am not sure if I am going to try to use the razor, but it is definitely an interesting piece to have in the collection.

[MrGuy]

I don't use any of my Rolls near enough. If you have blades that are in good condition, they are really nice to use. They combine the closeness and comfort of a straight, with the more familiar grip and technique of DE and SE razors. I think you owe it to yourself to give the Rolls a sporting try.

[Buck47]

A classic Christmas gift and the one you have looks to be in fine condition. After 50 or 60 years the blades can use a fresh honing to a shave ready condition, after that the Rolls Hone and Strop will maintain the blade for a long time. All the while giving the lucky owner shaves as close as a straight blade.

I use both the Rolls & Straight razors in my weekly rotation --- I've been fascinated with the quality workmanship and advanced design that went into them.

There is a few things to attend to after 50 or more years of none use -- but once put back into "Like New" condition the Rolls is one of the great all time razor designs.

Check out the B&B Rolls Razor Social Group -- http://badgerandblade.com/vb/group.php?groupid=111

I'm confident the members can answer any questions you may have.

Once again, congratulations on becoming a Rolls owner.

Regards: john

Thanks for the information. It is hard to believe that these were being made in the 60's.

I am not sure if I am going to try to use the razor, but it is definitely an interesting piece to have in the collection.

[baba]

Bob,

You have one fine son there my friend. He understood your passion and then made an effort to go and find you an appropriate and worthy gift. It's nice to see. Congrats on raising that kind of son...give yourself a pat on the back.

From your photos, (which are good by the way) you look to have a very well kept Rolls. From the 3 lines of Greek key design border on the case you can tell it is an Imperial model. The Viscount model is a later model and only had one Greek key graphic line right down the middle of the case.

Not sure on the year, but I did find this ad in Life magazine from June 15, 1953!

http://books.google.com/books?id=A0g...age&q=&f=false

Although the copy in the ad does note that the color of the satin in their case is maroon and your lining is blue, just judging by the look of the case and the picture of yours...we are surely close to that time period.

There are some other great shaving ads in that issue as well.

Hope the info was of help.

Regards,

Baba

[ironbrewer]

I've been looking at rolls razors. They look mighty cool.

Post up your experience when you try it.

[langod]

Wow. I just saw two of these at an antique shop -- both in boxes. Maybe I should've snagged them.

[gollum83]

They're not exactly hard to find, but you have one in really nice condition there. You'll want to send the blade out for honing if you don't hone straights yourself. They're really nice shavers once you get the blade sharpened.

[JPM]

For cool gift! I think I read a description in another post calling it a, straight razor on a stick".

Good luck with it.

[Pike]

Use it! at least once or twice...Very nice gift!!

[Pike]

Don't forget to look here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/group.php?groupid=111