I have a 70 year old Rolls Razor which my uncle gave me decades ago. Unfortunately, I am without much patience and have often nicked myself with it. But it is capable of giving a good close shave. Thank you, mon Oncle!
Nice! I still have my great grandfather's Rolls Razor kit in perfect condition, still in the cardboard box. I've been thinking about using it... you've given me the courage!
I own one of these, excellent for shaving my legs (with practice and care - seriously, this man isn't kidding about how sharp these monsters are). Disposables just do not compare to these, they don't make razors like they used to. Your technique is correct, exactly how the original booklets recommend.
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience with the razor. I have three Rolls Razors in great condition. I love the craftsmanship, ingenious design, and beauty that went into making them.
Great video, I just received two of these and despite using a number various safety razors and shavettes, these are intimidating! I will have to gather the courage!
Very nice to know of other means of cutting whiskers on our faces. I've never know of Rolls Razors prior to this informative video. Thank you for sharing with us. Quick question please, what's the best source to buy a Rolls Razor from? any feedback will be very much appreciated and thanks again for sharing with us.
Great demo, I’ve just got a rolls with case and two small glass bottles like salt and pepper but one with no holes in the top and one with powder in it, what is the powder and what would have been in the empty one?
My dad bought one in England in the early 60s for my grandfather. I got it years ago and tried it 3 times. It was very sharp and scary. I cut myself each time. I put in the box and gave to my son to keep as a family heirloom.
All I can think about is Sweeny Todd! I actually have one that I got when my father passed. I was going to sell it but now after I found out how it works I think I'm going to use it, either for me or give it to the hubby! I hate buying razors! Thanks for the demo!
"And by 'guard', I mean 'metal bar that does nothing to prevent you from cutting yourself'" ROFLOL REALLY informative video- I am about 3 months into this and found it really helpful. You have a deliberate approach I should emulate. Excelsior!
I was hoping for better results, actually I didn't get very far. I've had the razor for years as my father came back from India with it in 1945. After seeing your video on use and care of it I took all necessary steps to get it as sharp as I could. I do knives so I have a fair idea about stropping, etc. Maybe I need to find another razor but this one appears to be in excellent shape but I immediately stopped after a few strokes. I did enjoy your video and would love to be able to use it. How often do you use the Rolls or have you gone back to a safety? Thanks, Ed
Hi I now have a couple Rolls razors. I found the stones and strop leave a lot to be desired. The stones I have , one is too rough and the second is much better. One of the strops had a lot of grit from the stone embedded. I have been sharpening my Rols blades on my 10K stone and strop with a white rubbing compound then leather.
+Dennis Williams Yes, the quality is hit and miss. However, as you say, you can hone and strop the blade (although it's difficult because it's so small) outside of the case.
I found one of these for £15 in a charity shop in my hometown. It was a bit unclean (years of shaving cream residue), but the stone and the rest of the razor was in pretty good condition. I only went from modern razors to a traditional double-edged razor earlier this year, so I'm a bit nervous about giving it a first try. The closest I've got so far is shaving an inch or two of leg hair to test the blade (I'm in the UK, so there's no danger of me having to wear shorts, even in the summer :p ) Thumbs-up from me for this and the tuition video. Very helpful! :)
Very informative. I found a Rolls in the original velvet case/w all complete components, and was wondering how you shave with it?!? I thank you good sir! Spot on.
Just got one for $3 I'm so siked to clean it and get it all disinfected and try it out. Tje stone and the hone are in great shape its just really dirty. Thanks for posting
+Chris Shaves it's definitely worth it. Remember, if it feels "tuggy" to you, go back to the hone and strop. At least 30 passes on each side on both the stone and the strop. If it tugs, give it 30 more. You won't have to keep going back to that after you start using it more regularly. They tend to get dull after sitting.
Hi there, have now seen two of your videos and I hit that subscribe button with ease. great work in my opinion. I am extremely lucky to have got two beautiful condition razors recently; a Gorgeous example of this one and a amazing condition gotta straight! busy looking into a strop stockist in the uk. any suggestions on shaving creams? also do you use badger brushes, if so which Grade?:-)
Keep the blade almost flat to your face and shave with the grain on the first pass. The rinse, relather then shave against the grain. It takes some time to get used to it but once learnt it becomes second nature. Good Luck. Remember the hone is to be used dry and gently does it. You need to hear two clicks one the guard clicking and two the blade landing on the hone. Stropping is best done "briskly."
I have 20 + of these in the UK . the first time l used one (with big trepidation) l thought "well whats all the fuss about" followed by " Where`s all that blood coming from" . You are a better man than l Chirhomin. Better now,, ish.
Do your research and find a shaving soap with a lot of “glide.” Of course, it’s pretty subjective. I really like Art of Shaving cream and Black Ship Grooming the best for use with a straight razor, but you’ll have to see what works best with your hair and skin type.
I have a Rolls razor. Took it out, cleaned it, sharpened it with it's built in stone and leather Strop, shaved and it pulled like crazy. Bought shaving oil, Brush and shaving bar. Sharpened it with the case 200 pulls and pushes. Tried shaving again following directions but it still pulled like crazy and my neck had razor burn. I had to finish with modern multi blade. Am I doing something wrong????
Just look online and try to find one with an intact stone. You can replace the strop with some veg tan leather and use white vinegar to remove any rust stains from old blades. There are a bunch on ebay in the states, but you should be able to find one in your area as well
+Destin Gardner You'll have to find another set or two. The problem is, a lot of them were put back together by their owners incorrectly, which results in a cracked stone. However, you can sometimes find a set with the strop and stone, but no handle. They sell for pretty cheap.
These are an incredible razor if you get a good one that’s un abused that is I have two of them an abused one and a great one shaving at its best but you have to take your time if you don’t then ouch 😭😭
My first shave was easy and smooth I love my rolls not intimidated at all it was really comfortable. Only issue is there hight of it making it slightly hard to am
There is a reason these fell out of favor. Go ahead a shave with one and find out on your on. Just have some bandages handy. There are to many good shavers on the market to be wasting your time with a relic like this.
graycloud057 come on man! What are you afraid of? A few cuts? Sure we have safer devices today, but this is an interesting bit of history. Men 150 years ago had no choice but a cut throat razor. They got by, because they weren’t so afraid of hurting their precious faces. Old styles of shaving take skill, they have to be learnt but people did it just fine. It was daily life for them, here we are pretending it is extreme sport. Driving is a skill you must learn. Something which can be dangerous. It requires control. But it is routine and easy. The only difference with this razor is the razor is much less likely to kill you.
Convenience isn't exactly our main concern, of we're talking anything even at the level of a safety razor. Cartridges are nice, but these "relics" are often much better for the quality of the shave
Come on! Here we all are watching like it’s some feat to use one of these. Ohhh!! Ahhh! Gasp!!!! The crowd on the edge of their seats as a man shaves his face. Let’s not forget that everyone once shaved their faces unprotected from the sharpened bits of steel we call razors. They cut themselves sure. Learnt the skill. It became their daily routine. There was nothing special about these men. The weren’t as precious as we are today I guess.
All that bar is for is whole your honing on the stone, if it's working properly that bar should click back and forth allowing it to hit the stone first then lay blade down while it slaps back and forth
that things a little too harsh for my chiseled good looks ( well i think so anyway ) - rather watch the pros use something like this . like yourself :O)
Man , i'm trying not to get into this buy , buy, buy game - only to use sommit once ( soaps are a good example ) - just bought a simpsons " wee scott brush" - that's the last one i'm telling you :OP
I have a 70 year old Rolls Razor which my uncle gave me decades ago.
Unfortunately, I am without much patience and have often nicked myself with it.
But it is capable of giving a good close shave.
Thank you, mon Oncle!
We’ve got one used to belong to my wife’s dad. That had to be one of the scariest videos I’ve seen ! Heart was in my stomach for you. Thanks
Man, you shaved like the Boss!
My Grandfather gave me one of those in the 70's and all I could do is look at it. Way too terrified to use it!
Nice! I still have my great grandfather's Rolls Razor kit in perfect condition, still in the cardboard box. I've been thinking about using it... you've given me the courage!
I own one of these, excellent for shaving my legs (with practice and care - seriously, this man isn't kidding about how sharp these monsters are). Disposables just do not compare to these, they don't make razors like they used to.
Your technique is correct, exactly how the original booklets recommend.
Literally don't have enough facial hair to use a proper razor but I wanted one so bad and I bought it for the same purpose lol
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience with the razor.
I have three Rolls Razors in great condition. I love the craftsmanship, ingenious design, and beauty that went into making them.
Continue showing the shaving there great to see i just got me one but really would like to learn more thanks. Please let me know how more more.
Great video, I just received two of these and despite using a number various safety razors and shavettes, these are intimidating! I will have to gather the courage!
Very nice to know of other means of cutting whiskers on our faces. I've never know of Rolls Razors prior to this informative video. Thank you for sharing with us. Quick question please, what's the best source to buy a Rolls Razor from? any feedback will be very much appreciated and thanks again for sharing with us.
@Toxin-Free Farmstead, what a great breakdown of how to use a Rolls Razor.
Great demo, I’ve just got a rolls with case and two small glass bottles like salt and pepper but one with no holes in the top and one with powder in it, what is the powder and what would have been in the empty one?
My dad bought one in England in the early 60s for my grandfather. I got it years ago and tried it 3 times. It was very sharp and scary. I cut myself each time. I put in the box and gave to my son to keep as a family heirloom.
I managed to snag. One of these today it def needs some tlc cleaning rust removal sterilising but otherwise seems to be a complete kit
Very cool razor! It also scares me far beyond any of the straights and shavettes I use! You sir have the bravery of King David. 😊
Great video...The Bar is just there to sit the razor down without damaging the blade & to protect the blade whilst stropping it when it flips over...
All I can think about is Sweeny Todd! I actually have one that I got when my father passed. I was going to sell it but now after I found out how it works I think I'm going to use it, either for me or give it to the hubby! I hate buying razors! Thanks for the demo!
The Rolls blade is also not far off 100yrs as well. Great video, thank you.
"And by 'guard', I mean 'metal bar that does nothing to prevent you from cutting yourself'"
ROFLOL
REALLY informative video- I am about 3 months into this and found it really helpful. You have a deliberate approach I should emulate. Excelsior!
J Philip Faranda thank you, sir!
I was hoping for better results, actually I didn't get very far. I've had the razor for years as my father came back from India with it in 1945. After seeing your video on use and care of it I took all necessary steps to get it as sharp as I could. I do knives so I have a fair idea about stropping, etc. Maybe I need to find another razor but this one appears to be in excellent shape but I immediately stopped after a few strokes. I did enjoy your video and would love to be able to use it. How often do you use the Rolls or have you gone back to a safety? Thanks, Ed
Edward Dim I still use the Rolls, DE's, and straights on occasion, but I've switched, primarily, to my Mongoose SE. :)
Hi
I now have a couple Rolls razors.
I found the stones and strop leave a lot to be desired. The stones I have , one is too rough and the second is much better.
One of the strops had a lot of grit from the stone embedded.
I have been sharpening my Rols blades on my 10K stone and strop with a white rubbing compound then leather.
+Dennis Williams Yes, the quality is hit and miss. However, as you say, you can hone and strop the blade (although it's difficult because it's so small) outside of the case.
Thanks for this, I saw one of these today at a car boot sale (what they call a swap meet or flea market in the US) and wondered what it was.
+Londonfogey if it's in good condition, I suggest trying it!
I love your videos, ChiRoMin. I'm now one of your subscribers, and I look forward to many more videos from you.
+TheWetShaveEnthusiast Awesome! Thank you!!!! I'm uploading as we speak! :)
I found one of these for £15 in a charity shop in my hometown. It was a bit unclean (years of shaving cream residue), but the stone and the rest of the razor was in pretty good condition.
I only went from modern razors to a traditional double-edged razor earlier this year, so I'm a bit nervous about giving it a first try. The closest I've got so far is shaving an inch or two of leg hair to test the blade (I'm in the UK, so there's no danger of me having to wear shorts, even in the summer :p )
Thumbs-up from me for this and the tuition video. Very helpful! :)
That is one intimidating piece of shaving equipment! hahah Good work
Thank you, sir!
Very informative. I found a Rolls in the original velvet case/w all complete components, and was wondering how you shave with it?!? I thank you good sir! Spot on.
Excellent! They're beautiful, and great shavers! Hope you like yours!
Just got one for $3 I'm so siked to clean it and get it all disinfected and try it out. Tje stone and the hone are in great shape its just really dirty. Thanks for posting
Awesome ! I have not used my rolls yet but I think I'm going to bust it out for my next shave :D
+Chris Shaves it's definitely worth it. Remember, if it feels "tuggy" to you, go back to the hone and strop. At least 30 passes on each side on both the stone and the strop. If it tugs, give it 30 more. You won't have to keep going back to that after you start using it more regularly. They tend to get dull after sitting.
I just came across my Grandfather's Rolls Shaver its missing the handle any idea where to get one. Thanks for the vedio
Ebay
Hi there, have now seen two of your videos and I hit that subscribe button with ease. great work in my opinion. I am extremely lucky to have got two beautiful condition razors recently; a Gorgeous example of this one and a amazing condition gotta straight! busy looking into a strop stockist in the uk. any suggestions on shaving creams? also do you use badger brushes, if so which Grade?:-)
crazyThe One I've used tons of badger, boar, and synthetic brushes. I have several videos on brushes posted. :)
I recommend two band badgers.
Keep the blade almost flat to your face and shave with the grain on the first pass. The rinse, relather then shave against the grain.
It takes some time to get used to it but once learnt it becomes second nature. Good Luck.
Remember the hone is to be used dry and gently does it. You need to hear two clicks one the guard clicking and two the blade landing on the hone. Stropping is best done "briskly."
Great demo, I just bought one, feel good about using it now!
Excellent! Education is key in building confidence with these razors!!!!
I have just been gifted one by my late grandfather. just need to find a hone. More than 60 years old and still sharp.
The "safety bar" isn't there to protect your skin. It's there to protect the blade from damage in case of mishandling.
I was just about to say that...
Ernie Beckley I totally get that! At the time, I had only used DE safety razors, so this was a new experiment for me st the time. :)
Your a brave man
Lol!
I thought the bar was there to help stretch the skin
I have 20 + of these in the UK . the first time l used one (with big trepidation) l thought "well whats all the fuss about" followed by " Where`s all that blood coming from" . You are a better man than l Chirhomin. Better now,, ish.
Hahaha! Thank you!
if i had to pick one razor for life it would be a rolls
I salute you sir,my dad has one of those and I would rather shave with a K-BAR.
Lol! It’s all in the preparation! That blade, like a straight razor, has to be SHARP!!!! Hone and strop, hone and strop!
chirhomin do you recommend a straight razor shaving soap? If so,what type I wojld be knew to this.
Do your research and find a shaving soap with a lot of “glide.” Of course, it’s pretty subjective. I really like Art of Shaving cream and Black Ship Grooming the best for use with a straight razor, but you’ll have to see what works best with your hair and skin type.
I have a Rolls razor. Took it out, cleaned it, sharpened it with it's built in stone and leather Strop, shaved and it pulled like crazy. Bought shaving oil, Brush and shaving bar. Sharpened it with the case 200 pulls and pushes. Tried shaving again following directions but it still pulled like crazy and my neck had razor burn. I had to finish with modern multi blade. Am I doing something wrong????
It doesn't come with a sharpening stone.
It comes with a honing stone.
It needs to be "sharp" before you start honing it
I have the instruction book if you would like a copy.
what what angle do you hold it at? I just feel the bar
+Paul Wilborn you have to hold it nearly flat against your face, just like a straight razor.
Wow that was a scary watching just one slip 😮 but I have a old style razor that’s about safety a open blade
How do you think this would work on a very coarse, hard hair?
It's just a straight razor with a different handle. Nothing to fear.
My father had and used one of these for years. Does anyone know where to get one in good condition and working order. I’m in the U.K.
Just look online and try to find one with an intact stone. You can replace the strop with some veg tan leather and use white vinegar to remove any rust stains from old blades. There are a bunch on ebay in the states, but you should be able to find one in your area as well
Hey nice to match the voice to the face
how many times do I hone and strop it 30 times on each one cris
Michael Mclelland I usually give 20-30 strops. You might need more or less depending on the status of your blade.
I hope the bathroom door was locked while using that razor! " oops, excuse me". "What are you doing on the floor?"
Nice shave, thanks for posting!
My dad had one always got a cut you need to go slow. Well done. He finished of with Brut splash on after shave 😵💫
Hi what do you do when it does not move when you try to sharpen
Ernest Watts sounds like the mechanism might be jammed. I would try cleaning out the little gear on the side. It could be rusted or broken.
I got one on eBay for $14 great condition. Mostly for collecting probably will never use it.
I have one about new for sale.
Ok thanks my friend I just got me one by watching your vedio
I like mine and feel more comfortable to use than straight razor
I just got 2 rolls razor where can I find a stone
+Destin Gardner You'll have to find another set or two. The problem is, a lot of them were put back together by their owners incorrectly, which results in a cracked stone. However, you can sometimes find a set with the strop and stone, but no handle. They sell for pretty cheap.
These are an incredible razor if you get a good one that’s un abused that is I have two of them an abused one and a great one shaving at its best but you have to take your time if you don’t then ouch 😭😭
My first shave was easy and smooth I love my rolls not intimidated at all it was really comfortable. Only issue is there hight of it making it slightly hard to am
I love your explanation of how to shave using this item trust the Brits to come up with this made me laugh
There is something meditative about watching a man shave.
No way. Think this is the tensest thing I've ever watched!
@@davidvarley-doran5012 Maybe that is a better way of putting it !
I meant chirhomin
There is a reason these fell out of favor. Go ahead a shave with one and find out on your on. Just have some bandages handy. There are to many good shavers on the market to be wasting your time with a relic like this.
graycloud057 come on man! What are you afraid of? A few cuts? Sure we have safer devices today, but this is an interesting bit of history.
Men 150 years ago had no choice but a cut throat razor. They got by, because they weren’t so afraid of hurting their precious faces. Old styles of shaving take skill, they have to be learnt but people did it just fine. It was daily life for them, here we are pretending it is extreme sport.
Driving is a skill you must learn. Something which can be dangerous. It requires control. But it is routine and easy.
The only difference with this razor is the razor is much less likely to kill you.
Convenience isn't exactly our main concern, of we're talking anything even at the level of a safety razor.
Cartridges are nice, but these "relics" are often much better for the quality of the shave
And these were sold in the day where they were possibly sold worldwide where ever the British people went
like a straight razor..
Come on! Here we all are watching like it’s some feat to use one of these.
Ohhh!! Ahhh! Gasp!!!! The crowd on the edge of their seats as a man shaves his face.
Let’s not forget that everyone once shaved their faces unprotected from the sharpened bits of steel we call razors. They cut themselves sure. Learnt the skill. It became their daily routine. There was nothing special about these men. The weren’t as precious as we are today I guess.
All that bar is for is whole your honing on the stone, if it's working properly that bar should click back and forth allowing it to hit the stone first then lay blade down while it slaps back and forth
that things a little too harsh for my chiseled good looks ( well i think so anyway ) - rather watch the pros use something like this . like yourself :O)
+technicaly brilliant The sad thing about me is that I'll give anything a go onces. That's led to a lot of bad shaves. LOL!
Man , i'm trying not to get into this buy , buy, buy game - only to use sommit once ( soaps are a good example ) - just bought a simpsons " wee scott brush" - that's the last one i'm telling you :OP
Oh, sure, that's what you say NOW. >:)
i know - your no fool.. youve been there already :O) - hope your doing well dude. If your this way , drop me a line and ill show you smoggy london .
Sounds good! I love London! I'm workingona few uploads that will either post tonight (US time) or tomorrow. :)
Thanks but no thanks. I'm sure it's a great razor. I'll stick with my 5 blade Gillette.