The History Of Shaving Razors

The History of the Traditional Shaving Machine

Although the shaved appearance dates back to at least the 12th Egyptian dynasty, or about 2000 BC, the first recognizable razors date back to the 17th century in Europe.

These iron tools were shaped like a small axe, but were eventually modified to include a movable handle where the sharp blade remained protected.

By the 19th century, razors had evolved from a wedge-shaped blade to a more modern flush design, with blades made of silver steel, an alloy produced by incorporating carbon into the metal.

Handles were often made from tortoise shells, animal horns, wood and bone, while the higher quality pieces contained expensive materials such as ivory, pearls and silver, with artwork carved into the handles or blades.

19th century

Early razor manufacturers, such as Wade & Butcher, were based mainly in Sheffield, England, but other successful companies emerged near Solingen, Germany, such as Krupp, Böker and Dovo.

In America, some of the best known companies were the Robeson Cutting Co., the Case Company and the Garland Cutlery Company.

Along with the rise of the razor came the barbershop, whose employees were carefully trained in the art of keeping the blade sharp by sharpening it on leather.

To soften beards before shaving, they heated towels in a steam bath and wrapped them around the customers' faces. 

To minimize cuts and irritation they made foam in cups with badger or boar shaving brushes.

Generally, razors designed for the barbershop were not ornamented, while those for home use sometimes included elaborately carved blades or handles.

The appearance of the Gilette

King C. Gillette forever changed the art of shaving when he introduced the so-called safety machine in 1904, which allowed those unskilled in the use of razors to shave.

The Gillette safety machine used two small disposable steel blades , mounted on a metal head, which made them much simpler to use.

The blades were also inexpensive to replace when they no longer cut, which stopped the endless sharpening.

During World War I, Gillette designed the Khaki Set in a green sheath to be given to the troops through an exclusive deal with the US.

The marketing tactic worked and many soldiers returned from Europe with a new favorite traditional shaving machine.

Gillette's popularity was also boosted by its partnerships with sports stars, starting with a 1910 campaign featuring baseball legends like Honus Wagner.

In an effort to stay relevant, the falcon makers adapted the design for easier home use by incorporating disposable blades in models like Dovo's Shavette.

However, demand for clippers declined as the popularity of safety machines increased. 

Innovations of the 20th Century

New manufacturers such as Schick, Ever-Ready and the Gem Cutlery Company soon entered the field.

Other innovations followed, such as Schick's model that stored unused blades in the handle and automatically loaded a new blade into the head, but the most popular machine designs have remained virtually unchanged since the early 20th century.

In 1928, the first electric shaver with oscillating blades was patented by Schick, and other companies such as Remington and Philips' Norelco soon improved the device even further.

Despite the innovations, the traditional safety machine provides the deepest shave and although far fewer are produced, they remain popular with shaving enthusiasts.