Vintage Razor Brands

Marspen < Marks & Spencer branded Laurel/Velvet razors
Personna/Treet/PAL < Star mentioned but also sold under Personna/PAL brand
Souplex < Generally bakelite guard/handle, some with metal top caps
Philips < Philite ... everyone should try this one
Wilkinson Sword < Sticky, anyone?
Schick < Krona model
Swing < Swedish brand with some nice cased kits
Astra < Russian brand
 
Some of the Souplex razors are very good, and were made by a company based in Morecambe, of all places. They can usually be bought for very little, unlike the German made Fasan slant razors which I also really like but have shot up in price over the last few years. Quite a few other German companies also made good DE razors and many were sold with little or no branding on. The last one of these I bought just has the word Germany on the base plate, is crazy aggressive and cost all of £2.
 
I particularly like the Souplex handles which are light when paired with a full metal head, giving more heft to the razor head and potentially requiring more (albeit subtle) control from the hand. The net effect (for me) is a more controlled shave and one achieved with a lighter touch. I'm heavy handed.

I suppose there's Knockout as well which look remarkably like Souplex razors, potentially made by them. The Knockout that I own is pretty fierce, like the older R41 or a Wardonia (when used with a modified DE blade).
 
Interesting how people mention Hoffritz, Coles and Pomco, yet not Merkur, who made the razors for these three and sold the exact same razors under their own name.
 
Interesting how people mention Hoffritz, Coles and Pomco, yet not Merkur, who made the razors for these three and sold the exact same razors under their own name.

Quality control always appears inferior on the Merkur branded razors. Beyond molding and plating quality the option of silver plated handles and fancy cases only exists with the Hoffritz, Coles & Pomco models.
 
Nonsense. The Coles Hofritz and Pomco razors were the exact same as the Merkur of those days. Until somewhere end 70s/start 80s Merkur DE all had silver handles and chrome heads.
 
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