How To Use, Hone & Strop a Vintage Rolls Razor 

There was a similar British-made razor called the Darwin, which was not quite so common. Rolls razors were very popular. In fact my father told me that when he stayed in hotels in the 1940s and 50s, he would hear the click-click-click of men stropping their Rolls blades every morning.

So hard to find one in good shape. Either the blades are ground down to nothing, the strop is rotten, or the stone cracked. Plan to buy a few for parts to put together a good working set.

Well I bought one those razor and didn't think it would shave right,so I stropped and used it then got a good shave without a nick;so i'm surprised.

This company created a product that, if well taken care of, could last a customer for their entire life. Thus, they eventually went out of business.

Coolest fucking invention ever!!!!!! Why did they go out of style? I love my straights, buts this is AMAZEBALLS! !!!!

I found one of these in my Dad's garage. It had a faux crocodile pouch and was in its original retail box. From what was said about the eras of the two different models, I think Dad must have had it during his time in the RAF during the war. Given my hatred of disposable plastic, I think I might give it a try.

Great video. My Rolls is my go to shave, have been using it for many years. To avoid cracking the stone, you can store the razor handle in either of the sides in the groove where the mechanism travels. Lift the sharpening handle, put the razor handle in the groove on the side and and put the sharpening handle all the way down. It will hold the the shaving handle in place.

I have bought a couple of these. Just a small tip. If the blade guard has stopped clicking and is flopping around, you can usually bend it closed slightly, and re-install on the blade and the click comes back!

I purchased 2 Rolls Razors online. One for using and one for parts. Once I got them I found the much cheaper "parts" razor was in much better shape than my more expensive razor. I received 3 blades with my 2 razors and sent them to Razor Emporium for honing and polishing. I received them back yesterday and I just shaved with my Rolls for the first time and this razor just wiped the floor with my Viking safety razor loaded with Feather blades! Thank you Razor Emporium!!!!! I totally recommend getting one of these and send the blade to Razor Emporium the same day for honing and polishing!

I own one and an interesting fact is the gentleman that owned Rolls Razor still had all the stock that was made. Replacement strops stones etc. And from what I understand, the Rolls Razor had a life time warranty, and he honored it even after the company closed. And continued to sell parts needed as well. I read about it in one of the forums. Which gave his name and how to contact him. Though it's been 15 years now since. In fact, I'm hoping to find him, if he's still alive, as I need a new strop for mine. And wouldn't mind some new blades. The nicer set they sold was gold plated. And came with a stand with a blade marked Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc. One blade for each day of the week. I've only seen one of those. Absolutely beautiful set with stand, case, all the accessories, etc. I'd of bought it but they were asking a price that far exceeded my shaving needs. But it sure was a nice set.

I can see the allure for the 1920s and 1930s, but it's so redundant in 2024 lol... just a collectible

NEVER store the razor blade handle on the mechanism handle you will crack the stone. There is a place on the inside gear railing where you store it.

I picked up an unused, boxed imperial no2 for £8, both the hone & strop were in as new condition. These are ten a penny on Ebay normally with a busted hone or strop. If your looking to get one guy's don't just jump on the cheapest, check the photos for damage.

I got one that is unopened... new old stock, so tempted to just keep it unused 😊

i have two rolls razors one of which is in its cardboard box which is in excellent condition, the razor on the inside has never been used it is still in all the correct protective packaging. the second razor i use from time to time and gives a very good shave and is easy to use

I inherited The Viscount from my grandfather. When I opened it, I had no idea how to use it. Thank you for the help! Now that I know how it works, this is the coolest razor I've ever seen, and I intend to use it.

Mat why you don't tell anything yet about Barbasol floating head razor: IMHO one of best USA classic razors?

What would you recommend to remove rust from the blade?

*Your vlogs are extremely entertaining.* I really love all the history that you pass on (You must do lots of research). Keep up the good work!! *I'm looking forward to your next vlog!!!*

Just ordered one

I have one on the way that appears to be not only unused but unopened.

Just a quick question, so when do you use the stone and is it the same process? Thanks

Bought one of these in very good condition to restore it, and found a disassembly guide that shows you how to unmount the operating handle, which acts as a guide and also allows you to hone the razor on external stones. I bought another in okay condition, took the op handle out, and tried it on a Llyn Idwal stone. After stropping in the case it gave me a VERY good shave! 👍

WOW! I thought DE was complicated No wonder Gillette made disposables

I won one of these on eBay tonight for $10.50 plus s&h and it has all the parts and a box. Now that I know how it works I'm looking forward to using it at least once! Thanks for the info!

I bought a slightly worn one today, the silver plated version of the brass/nickel one in the video, it came on a faux leather case with a brass clasp, functionally imaculate

Thanks so much, very well presented and informative video. Really useful.

hey mat ive picked up a rolls razor just a couple days ago razor case is in good condition leather strop was like a waxee dry . but soaked it in water used saddle soap came up pretty well used a bit of dubbin . sharpening stone has a crack just went over the stone with 2000 grit wet n dry sand paper to clean it up a bit. gearing i had to spray it with wd40 left it half hour to soak n work in cleand it back out again then used machine oil for gearing i felt using grease was to heavy . handle for razor is siezed dere not to have ago to relise it bit worried if i damage it date stamped on case 1927 price i paid for was £30.00. not bad .can you or could you recommend any restoration people in the uk .. many thanks mike ... next one open razor

I like your tube (or valve as I know it) T-shirt. 🙂

Excellent rolls rasor and presentation Sir! Congrats! Greetings from Athens 🇬🇷

Old video, but Matt’s cool factor skyrockets by wearing tube amp t-shirt!

THanks for this post. I have one of these and I love it but I made the common mistake of storing it wrong and breaking the stone. May I bother you for recommendations on repairing the stone? My current idea is to glue both pieces to the unit so they stay level. Thanks for any suggestions.

Excellent video. I have one with a chipped hone I need to find a replacement for. Thanks for the history.

Where can I buy one

Glad you didnt make the mistake so many other "experts" on you tube have made by calling it a "wedge on a stick"....

In fact the Rolls razor was not the only one to strop in it's case. There was a similar Razor called Darwin, which was really some kind of evolution, based on the Rolls. 😉

I have recently bought one of these guys. I was going to apply some honing oil to the stone and some mink oil to the strop, is this a good idea?

Very cool. I thought these were somehow sharpeners for DE blades.. can this be used somehow to make a DE Blade last longer, or is there something else designed for that?

Thank You very much Matt for all Your great videos. You always have extraordinary and fascinating stories about shaving. Thank You it is always a pleasure . chris

Wonderful video as usual, RE!

Very good and informative video, plus more importantly is you need to oil the leather strop and honing oil on the stone, to prevent dry rot and cracking .

Very cool! I've passed these by at antique shops more times than I can count mostly because I just didn't know what it was or how it worked. I will definitely be adding one of these to the collection next time I see one! If the hone it comes with is in decent shape is it likely I will be able to put enough of an edge on it to get it back into shaving condition or will it require more work?

Awesome and informative video, friend.

Уникальная бритва!!!

Can't wait to see you shave with it !!

Nice video

Got one of these (Imperial model) today at 1940s weekend here in England - for a measly £2, in excellent condition. Never seen anything like this before. I use Wilkinson safety razors already, so this device is!pretty close to what I'm using now. Need to boil it though to desinfect before I can use it, as after all it's a razor previously used by someone else. Should be fun. Shall see whether it would work, but I'm up to adventure as I love antique stuff. Tons of character.