Band razors

Up to now, we've seen double-edge, single-edge, and injector razors. But there's another type, one the razor companies would probably you rather forget...

 ...band razors. 

Considered by many to be the red-headed stepchild (no offense to the red-headed stepchildren out there) of the razor world, band razors use a spool of thin steel encased in a removable cartridge with one edge sharpened and exposed. Each length of sharpened edge can be advanced, once its reached its useful life, by turning a lever on the back side of the razor's head.

A counter, much like that on a film camera, keeps track of the number of edges used. Used edges are stored on a take-up spool, so the user never touches the blade.

Gillette introduced the Techmatic in 1965, and supplied Gemini and Apollo astronauts with them for use during space missions, with varying degrees of success.

 Schick also made a band razor; it's cartridge also fits the Gillette, but not vice-versa. 

There are several other, older versions of the band razor, but would probably rarely be seen. The Gillette and Schick can still be found on online auction sites at fair prices.

Band razors have a very low level of popularity among wet-shavers, supposedly due to the razor's inability to maintain a flat edge. I recently received a NOS Techmatic, along with three NOS cartridges, and put this theory to test. My results? A new edge gave me a shave on par with a single-edge injector razor. In fact, it handled my trouble spots *nearly* as well as a double-edge razor. Will I make it my daily driver? No, but it will come in handy for times I'm pressed for time and need a quick, smooth shave.

Finding the "Best"

I initially began collecting these old razors to have something to pass on to one of my grandsons. It soon turned into a search for my personal "best"...best razor, best blade, best brush, best soap. I think I can honestly say I've found them.

Soap. Call me an anachronistic old fool, but I like Williams. They've been around since 1840, so they've got to be doing something right. It's not the same formula now as it was then, but I like it. Liked it so much I bought a case.  

Now, what do I use to lather up this fine puck of heavenly goodness? Lots of folks swear by the almighty badger, but I found my brush of choice to be a humble, vintage boar. Specifically, a Strong Set pure boar.

I stumbled upon the brush and equally vintage Old Spice (second model) mug in an antique shop in South Carolina. Paid a little more than I really wanted to, but turns out they were worth the money. I kept one of my badgers, an Ever-ready, that runs a close second. I'll use it for a back-up.

Blades are a highly personal part of shaving; there are great blades, good blades, bad blades, and horrible blades. After more than two years, +/- 90 razors, and 50 or so different blades, my go-to is the Teflon-coated Voskhod from Russia.

These work in every razor I own, better in some than others, and always give me a close, irritation-free shave.

Finally...the razor of choice...at first, it was the humble post-war ball-end Tech. Simple in design, mild, bomb-proof.

This was one of my first razors, and it always did me right. My only real issue was having to take it apart to insert/remove the blade, and to clean it. The solution? The 1941 Ranger Tech.

A truly wonderful razor. Mild like the Tech, but with the convenience of twist-to-open ease of blade changing and cleaning. The only other razor that comes close is my last purchase...

...a 1937 Sheraton. I wasn't too sure about the open comb, but I've been using it almost exclusively for the past few weeks, and found it to be the equal of the Ranger (with the added cool factor of the teeth). These two will accompany me on my adventures when I retire next year.

Finding your personal "best" will take some doing. Time and patience (and a little money), and working on technique, are essential. Knowledge of what you're looking for is just as important. Closely examine what you've found, then dig a little deeper, and you'll find some good deals. You'll also find that "best" combination that will last the rest of your life.