History Question: Popularity of Safety Razors During the 1920s

J

JaneDoe

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6
Hello, all. So I've been trying to find a bit more information on the popularity of safety razors in the UK during the early 1920s. Thus far, I've learned that safety razors were very popular in the US, chiefly due to Gillette's army kits during WWI. But I've had a harder time finding information on their use and popularity at the same time period in the UK. Anyone know any good web resources on the subject or care to share their knowledge? What kinds of shaving kits (if any) did the British army issue their soldiers in WWI? Were men in the UK in the 1920s using safety razors or were they still using straight razors? And was it divided by economic sphere? Would, for instance, a working man be more likely to use a safety razor? Would the upper crust turn their noses up at it?
 
If you watch "They Shall Not Grow Old" (the documentary by Peter Jackson) there are a number of references to the straight razors they were using both in the commentary and films of them shaving. The soldiers say that the razors were poor quality, however collectors who have these razors have found the opposite which probably implies the soldiers didn't have the means or knowledge to sharpen them.
 
seveneighth said:
If you watch "They Shall Not Grow Old" (the documentary by Peter Jackson) there are a number of references to the straight razors they were using both in the commentary and films of them shaving. The soldiers say that the razors were poor quality, however collectors who have these razors have found the opposite which probably implies the soldiers didn't have the means or knowledge to sharpen them.
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Thanks for replying! I've heard quite a bit about the documentary you mentioned and will watch it soon.
 
Rohleder said:
"Rolls razor" were incredibly popular over here, basically a small segment of straight razor on a metal stick. They are so prevalent and were manufactured for so long that it's almost impossible to enter a charity shop or boot sale without stumbling upon at least one.

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At least two in my family. My grandfather would hone his on the back of the bath where the enamel had worn down.
 
As an historian by education I have a few wonderful analogies that I shall use as examples. For instance, the percussion cap was invented circa 1822, but people nor armies did not frantically throw away their flintlocks overnight to change over any moreso than did people with horses when automobiles were invented. As a matter of fact, the British Army first toyed with percussion rifle issuance in 1840, but did not do so wholesale until the mid 1850's with the Enfield Pattern 1851 Minié Rifle. I think today we view any historical technological change as we do people today upgrading a cell phone or a computer when in reality it was almost always a gradual shift over time.
 
Bogeyman said:
As an historian by education I have a few wonderful analogies that I shall use as examples. For instance, the percussion cap was invented circa 1822, but people nor armies did not frantically throw away their flintlocks overnight to change over any moreso than did people with horses when automobiles were invented. As a matter of fact, the British Army first toyed with percussion rifle issuance in 1840, but did not do so wholesale until the mid 1850's with the Enfield Pattern 1851 Minié Rifle. I think today we view any historical technological change as we do people today upgrading a cell phone or a computer when in reality it was almost always a gradual shift over time.
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Well said. Thanks for the reply!
 
the change in military gear cannot be used to reference the adaptation of ANYTHING in the civilian world. Most of the civilian world had switch to percussion very quickly.

look at the number of different brands of single and double edge razor patents from Europe in the 1900 to 1920 range. they switched fast.
 
happyshaver said:
the change in military gear cannot be used to reference the adaptation of ANYTHING in the civilian world. Most of the civilian world had switch to percussion very quickly.

look at the number of different brands of single and double edge razor patents from Europe in the 1900 to 1920 range. they switched fast.
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Thanks very much for your reply!
 
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