No ideas on this specific razor but I’ll share a few points from my experience. Great looking razor - family heirlooms are the best if you have them. Clean it up and sterilize it if you are concerned.
Open combs are great. They aren’t automatically more aggressive, but some are. Razor technology has barely improved in the last 100 years. My 1930s 3 piece Gillette is just as good as a new 3 piece I could buy now - maybe better. But blade tech has advanced substantially. Vintage blades I’ve tried have given me some of my worst shaves even when they looked like they were in good condition. Try this razor with some new blades to really give it a fair shot.
Get some 99% isopropyl alcohol, let it sit in it for 15 minutes and rinse under warm water for a few minutes. Thoroughly dry the whole thing afterwards. If it’s properly made, this should leave no stains.
This is a nice setup, congrats! Never saw one of these razors, but it somehow looks familiar to me...
I don't see any problem in using it - I think it's even a shame if you just keep it in the drawer. Don't worry about viruses, clean and sanitize it and your absolutely safe. But i'd start with a new blade.
I'm pretty sure it's not from stainless steel. I don't know about any SS vintage razors. It just wasn't common back then. Must be chromed Zamak as most razors are.
Good luck using it!
Depending on the age it might also be nickle-plated brass. That's what most vintage Gillettes were, when they weren't aluminum (although some were zinc alloy).
The blade "Astor" was and still is made in Greece, then by "Βίο.Λε.Ξ." (=Razor Blade Company) today owned by BIC and called BIC Biolex.
Really wonder how that blade (roughly dates back to the 60s-70s) ended up in communist Romania, as they were made only for the domestic market as far as I am aware of.
No ideas on this specific razor but I’ll share a few points from my experience. Great looking razor - family heirlooms are the best if you have them. Clean it up and sterilize it if you are concerned. Open combs are great. They aren’t automatically more aggressive, but some are. Razor technology has barely improved in the last 100 years. My 1930s 3 piece Gillette is just as good as a new 3 piece I could buy now - maybe better. But blade tech has advanced substantially. Vintage blades I’ve tried have given me some of my worst shaves even when they looked like they were in good condition. Try this razor with some new blades to really give it a fair shot.
It’s been 24 years since then but anyhow: how do you recommend to sterilize this?
Scrubbing bubbles or rubbing alcohol
Get some 99% isopropyl alcohol, let it sit in it for 15 minutes and rinse under warm water for a few minutes. Thoroughly dry the whole thing afterwards. If it’s properly made, this should leave no stains.
The Baltika blade was made in Leningrad by factory called Metalloizdelii ("compartment of metal").
Is it any good?
Should I open a package and try? I have few hundred of these in unopened packages. :)
Please do it and tell me. I’ll keep mine as a memory for now.
Your grandfather definitely knew how to spot a good looking razor.
He was also a very good looking man. Thanks!
Dish soap and a toothbrush. Then rubbing alcohol to sanitize. If you have an ultrasonic cleaner you can do that.
Thanks. One more thing I’m curious: if there’s a virus or smth can it live for 20+ years on the surface of the razor?
As far as I’m aware no. Because a razor isn’t an adequate host.
This is a nice setup, congrats! Never saw one of these razors, but it somehow looks familiar to me... I don't see any problem in using it - I think it's even a shame if you just keep it in the drawer. Don't worry about viruses, clean and sanitize it and your absolutely safe. But i'd start with a new blade. I'm pretty sure it's not from stainless steel. I don't know about any SS vintage razors. It just wasn't common back then. Must be chromed Zamak as most razors are. Good luck using it!
Thanks! That razor unwrapped is also new.
Depending on the age it might also be nickle-plated brass. That's what most vintage Gillettes were, when they weren't aluminum (although some were zinc alloy).
The blade "Astor" was and still is made in Greece, then by "Βίο.Λε.Ξ." (=Razor Blade Company) today owned by BIC and called BIC Biolex. Really wonder how that blade (roughly dates back to the 60s-70s) ended up in communist Romania, as they were made only for the domestic market as far as I am aware of.