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Let's have a geek out with the ASR double edge razors, looking at the weights and measures of the various examples that we have ...
Observations ...
The baseplates are of a consistent weight across British and American examples and all the models that I have. Zamak heads apart from the one (early?) Personna with a brass head which is considerably heavier than the rest of the gang.
Interesting to see that the later British examples with the cheap aluminium baseplates have slightly heavier heads than their American counterparts. I've listed the gold-washed American Star a little later and grouped it with the later PALs because I think it is from that era.
Handles have two thicknesses for the heavily knurled examples. Both British and American have the thicker type (see American Star (Gold), British Personna & British Star (Etched) examples). The thinner handles are on the later British PALs with aluminium baseplates.
I have two with handles that I have not seen on other ASR double edge razors. That said, I've not seen them on any other razor across well over a thousand that I've had through my hands. Custom handles is a modern day obsession. I am inclined to believe they are intentional.
What I think is the most modern is on the right hand side and end of the list. It is a British Embassy Set presented in a Gillette-style flip-up case with an etched head and heavy steel(?) handle. It is a classy razor!
What examples do you have? If you are able to weigh them, perfect!
| Model | Manufacture | Cap (g) | Baseplate (g) | Handle (g) | Notes |
| Treet | American | 9 | 9 | 37 Hex - Steel? | |
| Star | American | 9 | 9 | 37 Hex - Steel? | |
| Personna (Gold Wash/ed Off) | British | 15 Brass | 9 | 11 Bakelite | PAL Contract-style Case |
| Personna (Stamped) | British | 11 | 9 | 52 Heavyweight Steel? | |
| Personna | British | 11 | 9 | 13 Thicker Aluminium | |
| Star (Gold Wash) | American | 9 | 9 | 13 Thicker Aluminium (Gold Wash) | Bakelite Slide Case |
| PAL (Etched) | British | 13 | 2 Aluminium | 10 Thinner Aluminium | |
| PAL (Etched) Traveller | British | 13 | 2 Aluminium | 5 Thinner Aluminium (Short) | |
| Star (Etched) | British | 13 | 9 | 40 Steel? < same thickness as Thicker Personna/Star | Blue/Clear Case |
Observations ...
The baseplates are of a consistent weight across British and American examples and all the models that I have. Zamak heads apart from the one (early?) Personna with a brass head which is considerably heavier than the rest of the gang.
Interesting to see that the later British examples with the cheap aluminium baseplates have slightly heavier heads than their American counterparts. I've listed the gold-washed American Star a little later and grouped it with the later PALs because I think it is from that era.
Handles have two thicknesses for the heavily knurled examples. Both British and American have the thicker type (see American Star (Gold), British Personna & British Star (Etched) examples). The thinner handles are on the later British PALs with aluminium baseplates.
I have two with handles that I have not seen on other ASR double edge razors. That said, I've not seen them on any other razor across well over a thousand that I've had through my hands. Custom handles is a modern day obsession. I am inclined to believe they are intentional.
What I think is the most modern is on the right hand side and end of the list. It is a British Embassy Set presented in a Gillette-style flip-up case with an etched head and heavy steel(?) handle. It is a classy razor!
What examples do you have? If you are able to weigh them, perfect!
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