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From the collection of Bellarine Historical Society Museum
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Functional object - Rolls razor

  • Untitled image

  • The case was a rigid rectangular chrome plated frame enclosed by two detachable lids; one lid carried a stone and the other a leather. The lids could not be interchanged. With a lid removed, oscillating a handle drove a shaft along the frame. In both directions pinions on the shaft engaged with racks on the case to rotate the shaft to either push the blade forward against the stone or drag it against the strop. It was easy to use, fast and safe. Sharpening was noisy as each change of direction rotated the blade to slap against stone or leather. The blade was about the size of a conventional disposable blade but was solid, hollow ground and not disposable, and it incorporated a safety guard.

    Rolls razor

  • The case was a rigid rectangular chrome plated frame enclosed by two detachable lids; one lid carried a stone and the other a leather. The lids could not be interchanged. With a lid removed, oscillating a handle drove a shaft along the frame. In both directions pinions on the shaft engaged with racks on the case to rotate the shaft to either push the blade forward against the stone or drag it against the strop. It was easy to use, fast and safe. Sharpening was noisy as each change of direction rotated the blade to slap against stone or leather. The blade was about the size of a conventional disposable blade but was solid, hollow ground and not disposable, and it incorporated a safety guard.

Historical information

The eponymous product was a sophisticated safety-razor which promoted with the slogan "The razor that is stropped and honed in its case". The Rolls trademark, "The Whetter", was registered in the US in 1950; the claimed first use was 1922. The US patent for the method of attaching the blade to the handle was filed in 1925 and issued in 1930. The name "Rolls Razor (1927) Ltd." was used in advertising. The razor was still manufactured and sold until 1958, when the company was purchased by entrepreneur/corporate raider John Bloom, who decided to focus on washing machines rather than the razor.

Significance

The company's principal market was a 21st birthday present for a young man. Sales declined with the rise of electric shaving. Though not made by the Rolls-Royce company, the name was chosen to evoke the "Rolls" image of luxury and quality.

Physical description

Rectangular chrome plated case with rounded edges and a latched lid on each side, with the lids bearing a repeating three row Greek key design. Each lid is released via a round patterned knob on each short side. Opening one side of the case reveals a razor blade contained within a roller rack with attached operating handle - all nickel plated - designed to slide along a track. Employing a back and forward sliding action sharpens the razor against a red leather strop sheet attached to the inside of the opposite lid. The strop is impressed at one end 'Strop. Made in England'. Utilising the opposite lid brings the razor against a black honing stone. The blade is removable. A separate nickel plated razor handle is included in the case and can be stored either in the side channel, or (for travelling) attached to the strop handle.

Inscriptions & markings

A small circular maker's impressed mark appears on each side, with one side reading 'Rolls Razor / The Whetter' accompanied by an image of a kneeling man sharpening a razor, while the other side reads: 'Rolls Razor (1927) Ltd / Made in England / Patented in England and Abroad / English Patents numbers: 108531, 184514, 184515, 184754, 224578, 242717, 242716 and pending.' Additionally, one side of the case is engraved 'B016301'.

References

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