Kirby Beard DE razor

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Hiya,

Up for review is a Kirby DE razor. This has been a regular in my rotation for a few years now, and it never fails to amuse me. The Kirby shaves differently than other DEs I've used in the past, which probably has to do with it's unusual head design.

The razor looks much more aggressive than it really is. It's actually milder than many open comb types, which surprised me at first. I'd rate it about a 5-6 on the Gillette scale, which would suit quite a few faces.

The handle seems to be silver plated because it tarnishes easily. I believe the head is plated with chrome, and it's always bright and shiny compared to the handle. The knurling has an above average amount of bite, with no problems slipping during the shave. The handle's got a diamond cut pattern, which is one of the better designs. The razor feels good in my hand overall, even with it being a bit handle heavy.

Yeah, I normally prefer razors that are a bit more head weighted because the pressure needed is less than with a lighter head. I also know some people enjoy a heavier handle balance.....just a personal preference is all. With the Kirby, I just have to tweak my technique gently to compensate for the way this performs.

The fit and finish is excellent. You can tell this is a well made and durable piece with attention paid to quality control. Heh, the handle does tarnish easily as I mentioned, but no problem polishing it right up again.

The Kirby weighs in at 69 grams. That's about the same as a slim or super adjustable, and a little less than the fatboy. It's got a chunky, solid sorta feel to it during the shave, or at least the handle does. The scalloped head feels almost dainty because of how slim the profile is, and its the reason for a good bit of this razor's charm.

It feels so strange having that design on my face. I enjoy it a good bit actually, and it's unlike other DEs I've used. It's not difficult to quickly find the right angle, helped by the razor's sorta forgiving nature. Attention to detail is still important though, and you do have to focus properly during the shave.

Pricewise, I really can't tell you much about what these cost. The cased one in good shape I recently acquired ran me just over $40 shipped. I looked at previous completed ebay sales and that may be about right for these. I only saw one other ( about that same price range), but that was it. No idea how rare this model is or even when it was made. The first one I own was found at a flea market just outside Chicago.

As mentioned earlier, the Kirby has been in my rotation for a number of years. There's nothing in my arsenal quite like it for a nice change of pace razor. They seem built at least as well or better than most of the higher end US made Gillettes. Heh, speaking of where things are made, I believe this Kirby was made in France. That's what it says on the razor, although I understand the company was an English one. I'm guessing that Kirby had another factory in France, but who knows. I have no idea when this razor was made.

So if you find one of these things give it a try. Don't feel like it's gonna tear your face off, because that's certainly not the case with the Kirby. I gotta say it's a kick shaving with something that looks as imposing as it does. Yeah, it's a real sleeper.

Martin
 

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Re: Kirby DE razor

Hiya,

Couple more pics to show the blade exposure.
 

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And some more pics :D

pjxbm.jpg


zPsB4.jpg


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Max
 
Blades said:
Wow...thats a funky lookin razor head ya got there!..me likes... :cool:

B

Yeah, it's a pretty radical design all right. I was real skeptical about it fitting me, but that turned out not to be a problem. I'd mainly bought the Kirby because of it's looks anyway, and not on performance. Heh, I didn't even bother test driving the thing for about six months because it looked like it would bite a lot. The first time finally getting it wet was a pleasant surprise.

Martin
 
FrenchBlade said:
And some more pics :D

Max

What's up Max,

Great shots of that Kirby! You really know how to bring out the porn in a shaving item.....heh. You tickle the razor juuust the right way I guess.

I'd mention to any other readers that Max was nice enough to track down the one in his pictures for me. I'd asked him about looking out for one a while back, and then voila! He did the bidding and payed for the razor upfront. Max also took a few pics and then sent it along recently. Turned out to be in overall good shape and wasn't expensive. Should be a pleasant addition to the shaving arsenal when it arrives next week. Heck of a guy for helping me out.

Martin
 
I don't have much else to add to Martin's review, I enjoyed using this razor so much I didn't return his until I'd managed to track down my own. With the scalloped surfaces the cutting action is difficult to describe as doesn't seem aggressive in the traditional sense of blade exposure, gap or angle but it does it's job with the utmost efficiency with the right blade, odd but quite easy to use making a 2 pass shave with reasonably heavy growth a cinch.

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antdad said:
I don't have much else to add to Martin's review, I enjoyed using this razor so much I didn't return his until I'd managed to track down my own. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://epapers.bham.ac.uk/511/1/bb0340.jpg">http://epapers.bham.ac.uk/511/1/bb0340.jpg</a><!-- m -->

What's up Tony,

I'm glad the razor was a good fit. You never know about something unusual like this till it's used, but I was pretty optimistic. The Kirby's been loaned out before over the years, and everyone who tried it enjoyed the thing a good bit. Oh yeah, I was especially happy you found one that quickly for yourself, although you keeping mine till you did was no problem. I was gonna give you a year, tops, before asking if I might please have it back to 'borrow'.

You mentioned the Kirby Beard company was an English one. Have you any clue why the two razors I've seen say Made in France? Now what is up with that? I've tried to find any info about that and got nowhere. I'll bet there's a good story there somewhere. Being an English (French?) company as it is, I think it would be nice having a local guy (you) to explain the history, and maybe find out when their razors were made. I think someone suggested I try that, but I don't really speak UK all that well. Yeah, there's lot's of phrases you guys use that sound made up to me.

Yeah, you might even be able to do a Kirby Beard documentary for the BBC.........kinda like a Limey Ken Burns. That would be excellent!

I look forward to the pics of your new Kirby when it arrives,

Cuthbert J. Twillie
 
Nah...it'll be about as interesting as Gary Young's..

Company made stuff, some of it good, wasn't run very well, went bust. Fine.

As for the "made in France" bit, I haven't found any evidence to suggest they had a workshop or factory but the dates of manufacture and advertising may suggest any french facility may have been used for the war effort or lack of.

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moodymick said:
Still, that is a nice looking razor, at least it had a little variation over the usual Old & Tech clones you usually find around.

This razor is way beyond being an Old type clone with a twist, without being a hype monger it probably has the most considered head design of any 2 or 3 piece razor I've ever used.
 
antdad said:
Nah...it'll be about as interesting as Gary Young's..

Company made stuff, some of it good, wasn't run very well, went bust. Fine.

As for the "made in France" bit, I haven't found any evidence to suggest they had a workshop or factory but the dates of manufacture and advertising may suggest any french facility may have been used for the war effort or lack of.

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As the last family MD of Simpson I would love you to add some depth to your comments regarding how we ran the Simpson business? 80 years in business and you say it wasn't run very well?
You seem to have a very high regard of yourself and your knowledge of running MY business! I think you need to consider how anal your comments are before making personal comments towards my family. Perhaps 'Sir Antdad' is more appropriate for you than my son

Jim
 
I think that the business Antdad refers to in this thread is Kirby Beard Razor Co, which I don't think was owned by Simpson.

He's just saying that he thinks if he were to make a documentary about it it would be as interesting as Gary's which may be tactless but is not a comment about your business.

I'm not defending his attitude towards your lad, but best to make your points valid if you wish to make them.
 
Jeltz said:
I think that the business Antdad refers to in this thread is Kirby Beard Razor Co, which I don't think was owned by Simpson.

He's just saying that he thinks if he were to make a documentary about it it would be as interesting as Gary's which may be tactless but is not a comment about your business.

I'm not defending his attitude towards your lad, but best to make your points valid if you wish to make them.

I think the association he is alluding to is very obvious
 
JYoung said:
antdad said:
Nah...it'll be about as interesting as Gary Young's..

Company made stuff, some of it good, wasn't run very well, went bust. Fine.

As for the "made in France" bit, I haven't found any evidence to suggest they had a workshop or factory but the dates of manufacture and advertising may suggest any french facility may have been used for the war effort or lack of.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.jetons-monnaie.net/a/ajeton435.html">http://www.jetons-monnaie.net/a/ajeton435.html</a><!-- m -->

As the last family MD of Simpson I would love you to add some depth to your comments regarding how we ran the Simpson business? 80 years in business and you say it wasn't run very well?
You seem to have a very high regard of yourself and your knowledge of running MY business! I think you need to consider how anal your comments are before making personal comments towards my family. Perhaps 'Sir Antdad' is more appropriate for you than my son

Jim

I´m sorry to write this, but it seems like you´re on a mission here. If you´re Garys father I can understand and appriciate your efforts and where you come from, but Antdad never actually said anything about your former business, only how interesting he thought a documentary about Gary would be. He prob doesn´t like your son and I´m pretty sure the feeling is mutal, what I don´t understand is why a grown man must be defended by his dad, at an internet forum.
 
Mikael said:
JYoung said:
antdad said:
Nah...it'll be about as interesting as Gary Young's..

Company made stuff, some of it good, wasn't run very well, went bust. Fine.

As for the "made in France" bit, I haven't found any evidence to suggest they had a workshop or factory but the dates of manufacture and advertising may suggest any french facility may have been used for the war effort or lack of.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.jetons-monnaie.net/a/ajeton435.html">http://www.jetons-monnaie.net/a/ajeton435.html</a><!-- m -->

As the last family MD of Simpson I would love you to add some depth to your comments regarding how we ran the Simpson business? 80 years in business and you say it wasn't run very well?
You seem to have a very high regard of yourself and your knowledge of running MY business! I think you need to consider how anal your comments are before making personal comments towards my family. Perhaps 'Sir Antdad' is more appropriate for you than my son

Jim

I´m sorry to write this, but it seems like you´re on a mission here. If you´re Garys father I can understand and appriciate your efforts and where you come from, but Antdad never actually said anything about your former business, only how interesting he thought a documentary about Gary would be. He prob doesn´t like your son and I´m pretty sure the feeling is mutal, what I don´t understand is why a grown man must be defended by his dad, at an internet forum.

I am defending a business that I ran for many years. I am on no mission here.
 
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