Mechanical razors

1936 Rolls Razor Viceroy
1942 Wilkinson Sword
1952 Thorens Riviera
1955 Roller
1958 Brevete

1936

Rolls Razor Viceroy

UK Cricklewood

Non-electric razor with cutter driven by friction motor and external hand-crank. Dark maroon phenol plastic body very similar to later electric version. Four patents (earliest 1936) cover mechanism and cutting head. Sliding cutting head similar in principle to Schick/Remington with sliding cover. Stiff leather case with cleaning brush supplied. Quite tricky to use as two simultaneous actions are needed - cranking the lever and guiding the shaving head. Earliest patent number 1936. Registered design number 828,796 (1937).

1942

Wilkinson Sword

UK

Innovative non-electric razor, probably intended for travelling. Large 120 degree foil head with flexible cutter mounted on hand-operating oscillating handle. Rocking action against face shaves beard - not as ineffective as it sounds. Classic 'Bakelite' product: substantial black phenol plastic handle, two-part teardrop travel case in ivory and black phenol plastic (or all-black) with company logo on top. Snap-action sprung lid with streamlied side detail. Patent number 558,407 applied for 1942. Instructions accompanied by flickerbook animation of how to use it!

1952

Thorens Riviera

Switzerland

Effective, non-electric razor. Amorphous two-part body in cream urea plastic, designed to fit into the hand. Powerful wind-up spring via large built-in key on back, gives generous shaving time. Rotary cutter and foil head. Push toggle switch, red logo (some versions also in black). Red PVC zip-up pouch. Registered design number 876,564, patent application number 30106/52 (1952) patent number 748,126 (1956).

c1955

Roller

Japan

Tiny and innovative mechanical razor with static blade inside free-rotating cylindrical shaving foil. Shaves by moving across face. Only covers a very small area at a time and hence not very effective. Black phenol plastic body with same size celluloid cover.

c1958

Brevete

Monaco France

Effective, non-electric razor. Amorphous two-part body in transparent acrylic plastic, designed to fit into the hand. All working parts visible. Very similar to the Thorens Riviera, though slightly smaller and probably later due to use of plastics. Powerful wind-up spring via large built-in key on back, gives generous shaving time. Rotary cutter and circular foil head. Knurled white plastic switch. Black PVC zip-up pouch.

1936 Rolls Razor Viceroy UK Cricklewood Non-electric razor with cutter driven by friction motor and external hand-crank. Dark maroon phenol plastic body very similar to later electric version. Four patents (earliest 1936) cover mechanism and cutting head. Sliding cutting head similar in principle to Schick/Remington with sliding cover. Stiff leather case with cleaning brush supplied. Quite tricky to use as two simultaneous actions are needed - cranking the lever and guiding the shaving head. Earliest patent number 1936. Registered design number 828,796 (1937).
1942 Wilkinson Sword UK Innovative non-electric razor, probably intended for travelling. Large 120 degree foil head with flexible cutter mounted on hand-operating oscillating handle. Rocking action against face shaves beard - not as ineffective as it sounds. Classic 'Bakelite' product: substantial black phenol plastic handle, two-part teardrop travel case in ivory and black phenol plastic (or all-black) with company logo on top. Snap-action sprung lid with streamlied side detail. Patent number 558,407 applied for 1942. Instructions accompanied by flickerbook animation of how to use it!
1952 Thorens Riviera Switzerland Effective, non-electric razor. Amorphous two-part body in cream urea plastic, designed to fit into the hand. Powerful wind-up spring via large built-in key on back, gives generous shaving time. Rotary cutter and foil head. Push toggle switch, red logo (some versions also in black). Red PVC zip-up pouch. Registered design number 876,564, patent application number 30106/52 (1952) patent number 748,126 (1956).
c1955 Roller Japan Tiny and innovative mechanical razor with static blade inside free-rotating cylindrical shaving foil. Shaves by moving across face. Only covers a very small area at a time and hence not very effective. Black phenol plastic body with same size celluloid cover.
c1958 Brevete Monaco France Effective, non-electric razor. Amorphous two-part body in transparent acrylic plastic, designed to fit into the hand. All working parts visible. Very similar to the Thorens Riviera, though slightly smaller and probably later due to use of plastics. Powerful wind-up spring via large built-in key on back, gives generous shaving time. Rotary cutter and circular foil head. Knurled white plastic switch. Black PVC zip-up pouch.