I own one of these, excellent for shaving my legs (with practice and care - seriously, this man isn't kidding about how sharp these monsters are). Disposables just do not compare to these, they don't make razors like they used to. Your technique is correct, exactly how the original booklets recommend.
Very nice to know of other means of cutting whiskers on our faces. I've never know of Rolls Razors prior to this informative video. Thank you for sharing with us. Quick question please, what's the best source to buy a Rolls Razor from? any feedback will be very much appreciated and thanks again for sharing with us.
I have a 70 year old Rolls Razor which my uncle gave me decades ago. Unfortunately, I am without much patience and have often nicked myself with it. But it is capable of giving a good close shave. Thank you, mon Oncle!
Nice! I still have my great grandfather's Rolls Razor kit in perfect condition, still in the cardboard box. I've been thinking about using it... you've given me the courage!
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience with the razor. I have three Rolls Razors in great condition. I love the craftsmanship, ingenious design, and beauty that went into making them.
My dad bought one in England in the early 60s for my grandfather. I got it years ago and tried it 3 times. It was very sharp and scary. I cut myself each time. I put in the box and gave to my son to keep as a family heirloom.
Great video, I just received two of these and despite using a number various safety razors and shavettes, these are intimidating! I will have to gather the courage!
I was hoping for better results, actually I didn't get very far. I've had the razor for years as my father came back from India with it in 1945. After seeing your video on use and care of it I took all necessary steps to get it as sharp as I could. I do knives so I have a fair idea about stropping, etc. Maybe I need to find another razor but this one appears to be in excellent shape but I immediately stopped after a few strokes. I did enjoy your video and would love to be able to use it. How often do you use the Rolls or have you gone back to a safety? Thanks, Ed
There is a reason these fell out of favor. Go ahead a shave with one and find out on your on. Just have some bandages handy. There are to many good shavers on the market to be wasting your time with a relic like this.
graycloud057 come on man! What are you afraid of? A few cuts? Sure we have safer devices today, but this is an interesting bit of history. Men 150 years ago had no choice but a cut throat razor. They got by, because they weren’t so afraid of hurting their precious faces. Old styles of shaving take skill, they have to be learnt but people did it just fine. It was daily life for them, here we are pretending it is extreme sport. Driving is a skill you must learn. Something which can be dangerous. It requires control. But it is routine and easy. The only difference with this razor is the razor is much less likely to kill you.
Convenience isn't exactly our main concern, of we're talking anything even at the level of a safety razor. Cartridges are nice, but these "relics" are often much better for the quality of the shave
All I can think about is Sweeny Todd! I actually have one that I got when my father passed. I was going to sell it but now after I found out how it works I think I'm going to use it, either for me or give it to the hubby! I hate buying razors! Thanks for the demo!
Keep the blade almost flat to your face and shave with the grain on the first pass. The rinse, relather then shave against the grain. It takes some time to get used to it but once learnt it becomes second nature. Good Luck. Remember the hone is to be used dry and gently does it. You need to hear two clicks one the guard clicking and two the blade landing on the hone. Stropping is best done "briskly."
Come on! Here we all are watching like it’s some feat to use one of these. Ohhh!! Ahhh! Gasp!!!! The crowd on the edge of their seats as a man shaves his face. Let’s not forget that everyone once shaved their faces unprotected from the sharpened bits of steel we call razors. They cut themselves sure. Learnt the skill. It became their daily routine. There was nothing special about these men. The weren’t as precious as we are today I guess.
Very informative. I found a Rolls in the original velvet case/w all complete components, and was wondering how you shave with it?!? I thank you good sir! Spot on.
I have 20 + of these in the UK . the first time l used one (with big trepidation) l thought "well whats all the fuss about" followed by " Where`s all that blood coming from" . You are a better man than l Chirhomin. Better now,, ish.
Hi I now have a couple Rolls razors. I found the stones and strop leave a lot to be desired. The stones I have , one is too rough and the second is much better. One of the strops had a lot of grit from the stone embedded. I have been sharpening my Rols blades on my 10K stone and strop with a white rubbing compound then leather.
+Dennis Williams Yes, the quality is hit and miss. However, as you say, you can hone and strop the blade (although it's difficult because it's so small) outside of the case.
I have a Rolls razor. Took it out, cleaned it, sharpened it with it's built in stone and leather Strop, shaved and it pulled like crazy. Bought shaving oil, Brush and shaving bar. Sharpened it with the case 200 pulls and pushes. Tried shaving again following directions but it still pulled like crazy and my neck had razor burn. I had to finish with modern multi blade. Am I doing something wrong????
Hi there, have now seen two of your videos and I hit that subscribe button with ease. great work in my opinion. I am extremely lucky to have got two beautiful condition razors recently; a Gorgeous example of this one and a amazing condition gotta straight! busy looking into a strop stockist in the uk. any suggestions on shaving creams? also do you use badger brushes, if so which Grade?:-)
I found one of these for £15 in a charity shop in my hometown. It was a bit unclean (years of shaving cream residue), but the stone and the rest of the razor was in pretty good condition. I only went from modern razors to a traditional double-edged razor earlier this year, so I'm a bit nervous about giving it a first try. The closest I've got so far is shaving an inch or two of leg hair to test the blade (I'm in the UK, so there's no danger of me having to wear shorts, even in the summer :p ) Thumbs-up from me for this and the tuition video. Very helpful! :)
Great demo, I’ve just got a rolls with case and two small glass bottles like salt and pepper but one with no holes in the top and one with powder in it, what is the powder and what would have been in the empty one?
Just got one for $3 I'm so siked to clean it and get it all disinfected and try it out. Tje stone and the hone are in great shape its just really dirty. Thanks for posting
"And by 'guard', I mean 'metal bar that does nothing to prevent you from cutting yourself'" ROFLOL REALLY informative video- I am about 3 months into this and found it really helpful. You have a deliberate approach I should emulate. Excelsior!
All that bar is for is whole your honing on the stone, if it's working properly that bar should click back and forth allowing it to hit the stone first then lay blade down while it slaps back and forth
+Chris Shaves it's definitely worth it. Remember, if it feels "tuggy" to you, go back to the hone and strop. At least 30 passes on each side on both the stone and the strop. If it tugs, give it 30 more. You won't have to keep going back to that after you start using it more regularly. They tend to get dull after sitting.
Do your research and find a shaving soap with a lot of “glide.” Of course, it’s pretty subjective. I really like Art of Shaving cream and Black Ship Grooming the best for use with a straight razor, but you’ll have to see what works best with your hair and skin type.
These are an incredible razor if you get a good one that’s un abused that is I have two of them an abused one and a great one shaving at its best but you have to take your time if you don’t then ouch 😭😭
My first shave was easy and smooth I love my rolls not intimidated at all it was really comfortable. Only issue is there hight of it making it slightly hard to am
Just look online and try to find one with an intact stone. You can replace the strop with some veg tan leather and use white vinegar to remove any rust stains from old blades. There are a bunch on ebay in the states, but you should be able to find one in your area as well
+Destin Gardner You'll have to find another set or two. The problem is, a lot of them were put back together by their owners incorrectly, which results in a cracked stone. However, you can sometimes find a set with the strop and stone, but no handle. They sell for pretty cheap.
that things a little too harsh for my chiseled good looks ( well i think so anyway ) - rather watch the pros use something like this . like yourself :O)
Man , i'm trying not to get into this buy , buy, buy game - only to use sommit once ( soaps are a good example ) - just bought a simpsons " wee scott brush" - that's the last one i'm telling you :OP
