My Grandmother and later my Mom worked for Wardonia I’m guessing ww2 era onwards until it’s closure. I used to go along with Mom in the 1970’s when she worked there. It was like a time capsule still had sand bags and air raid helmets in place. As a kid it was a fascinating place to explore.
Great review, very interesting. I discovered safety razors about 10 years ago. I use a Wilkinson Sword Classic, it gives a great shave. Throw away all your expensive multi bladed razors and start using a safety razor.. :-)
Interesting bit of kit. As to the mismatched razor, it's common for shaver's to match a head to a handle they like, regardless of brand. Handles contribute to the weight of the razor which changes how the razor shaves (becoming a more "aggressive" shave or a "mild" shave). So swapping handles to get a comfortable shaving weight is pretty common, even today. As for the Gillette Thins, the date of them varies. The packaging, since introduction in 1938, drastically changed ONCE and from then on it only became slight changes in print clarity and font that could easily just be printing nuances as opposed to planned changes. Without opening one of the blades and seeing the alphanumerical code listed on it (letter to the left of the slot, number to the right), I'd hazard a guess that they are probably mid-50s. The package of Gillette Blues you have dates to 1939 exactly. Earlier versions were made in the USA, Canada, and Germany. The pack you have is the year before the retailers price was dropped off the back of the box (the tuck) in favor of a perforated punch-out that allowed the user to more easily slide the blades out. Prior to this, the back listed the brand and patents only. Lastly, for the Wardonia, it's not the original case. Wardonia travel kits were ENTIRELY Bakelite and shaped much like a M1917 canteen cup. The brush was handled in Bakelite and housed in a Bakelite case, as was the shave stick. Both were stamped with "Made In England" on the top. They fit into either end of a vaguely pill-shaped interior housing with the Wardonia razor itself able to be slotted in, assembled, in the middle. There were two slots for blades on either side of the razor. It was then enclosed with a top and bottom cap (Bakelite) to form an unholy monstrosity that would take up half a haversack. So best stick to just the case and save room for some scoff or socks.
@@RiflemanMoore I always use a traditional safety razor, I often mix and match different heads and handles. My favourite at the moment is a 40’s Gillette ‘Ball end tech’ handle with a modern Merkhur open comb head.
The small era correct kit one has in their personal equipment separates the men from the boys in collecting /reenactment. Love the Bakelite , it is a sickness.. .
@Rifleman Moore I picked up an ex surplus British Army safety razor from the link below, it is compact and well made. I would assume at some stage they were issued as part of the soldiers kit? www.sofmilitary.co.uk/wd-british-safety-razor.html
In a "collectables" shop I found lot of stroping devices,where the blade was clamped on a very fine grit stone for sharpening.
Fantastic video as allways. Well done
Thank you!
My Grandmother and later my Mom worked for Wardonia I’m guessing ww2 era onwards until it’s closure. I used to go along with Mom in the 1970’s when she worked there. It was like a time capsule still had sand bags and air raid helmets in place. As a kid it was a fascinating place to explore.
Fascinating! Did you ever glean why the elements of air raid precautions were still present? Too much work to remove them?
Great review, very interesting. I discovered safety razors about 10 years ago. I use a Wilkinson Sword Classic, it gives a great shave. Throw away all your expensive multi bladed razors and start using a safety razor.. :-)
That is were old Battleships went... razor blades.
Terrific, small kit is always peculiarly interesting. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed!
Awesome collection man and info!!! Great video!!!
Interesting bit of kit. As to the mismatched razor, it's common for shaver's to match a head to a handle they like, regardless of brand. Handles contribute to the weight of the razor which changes how the razor shaves (becoming a more "aggressive" shave or a "mild" shave). So swapping handles to get a comfortable shaving weight is pretty common, even today.
As for the Gillette Thins, the date of them varies. The packaging, since introduction in 1938, drastically changed ONCE and from then on it only became slight changes in print clarity and font that could easily just be printing nuances as opposed to planned changes. Without opening one of the blades and seeing the alphanumerical code listed on it (letter to the left of the slot, number to the right), I'd hazard a guess that they are probably mid-50s.
The package of Gillette Blues you have dates to 1939 exactly. Earlier versions were made in the USA, Canada, and Germany. The pack you have is the year before the retailers price was dropped off the back of the box (the tuck) in favor of a perforated punch-out that allowed the user to more easily slide the blades out. Prior to this, the back listed the brand and patents only.
Lastly, for the Wardonia, it's not the original case. Wardonia travel kits were ENTIRELY Bakelite and shaped much like a M1917 canteen cup. The brush was handled in Bakelite and housed in a Bakelite case, as was the shave stick. Both were stamped with "Made In England" on the top. They fit into either end of a vaguely pill-shaped interior housing with the Wardonia razor itself able to be slotted in, assembled, in the middle. There were two slots for blades on either side of the razor. It was then enclosed with a top and bottom cap (Bakelite) to form an unholy monstrosity that would take up half a haversack. So best stick to just the case and save room for some scoff or socks.
Very interesting. Have you ever considered doing a video on the Suez Crisis?
An interesting review, thank you.
I'm glad you found it interesting!
@@RiflemanMoore I always use a traditional safety razor, I often mix and match different heads and handles. My favourite at the moment is a 40’s Gillette ‘Ball end tech’ handle with a modern Merkhur open comb head.
Nice!
Thanks!
Раньше вещи делали основательно...и внуки могли пользоваться!!!Сейчас все одноразовое....
Razors, probably the only thing carried in your kit that wasn't issued. Find a nice decent set that's usable and enjoy a good shave at a show.
The small era correct kit one has in their personal equipment separates the men from the boys in collecting /reenactment.
Love the Bakelite , it is a sickness.. .
They must have made good presents. I wonder if you can still get anything as good.
The new solid stainless steel ones are so expensive. I've got one from 50's,in use regularly.
It's not a vintage I have percy nobleman safety razor I love it I found some ww2 razor blades I'm gonna get them I cant wait to try one cool vid
Wardonia brasa model Made year plese😊?
@Rifleman Moore I picked up an ex surplus British Army safety razor from the link below, it is compact and well made. I would assume at some stage they were issued as part of the soldiers kit? www.sofmilitary.co.uk/wd-british-safety-razor.html