Windup Razors
Once upon a time, in a simpler age when electricity was expensive or balky, windup razors were popular in Europe and Russia.
In the Space Age, you could even buy the NASA-approved version!
But except for vintage models (a mere $100.00), purely mechanical razors seem to have vanished from the marketplace. Although in this era of environmentalism, it seems they should fulfill a certain demand.
The closest such product I can find cheats by using electricity--though it is hand-cranked!
Comments
Seriously, how in the name of Sam Hell are you supposed to move that around your face with one hand whilst cranking it with the other?!? 😠
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/09/13 at 09:06 AM
That's what friends are for, Expat. One can lend the extra hand you need.
Posted by KDP on 10/09/13 at 10:09 AM
-Expat47- They´re the same as wind up radios and flashlights used for camping. Winding for a few minutes gives you a certain amount of working time.
Posted by F.U.D. on 10/09/13 at 10:41 AM
Ok, so you crank up the little blades, get them a whirling round and round and the 1st whisker they hit, they stop, then you've got to wind it up again. Naw.... I'll use a blade, thanks.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/09/13 at 10:46 AM
These were great for people, like me, whose 5 o'clock shadow appeared at 2 o'clock. I think even an average man would have to use it two or three times a day if it was their only way of shaving because they were strictly light-duty.
I really, really miss haverhill's -- they always had incredibly neat and nearly-useful stuff at decent prices. Very eclectic without price-gouging was their distinct niche.
I really, really miss haverhill's -- they always had incredibly neat and nearly-useful stuff at decent prices. Very eclectic without price-gouging was their distinct niche.
Posted by Phideaux on 10/09/13 at 05:04 PM
My "earthquake emergency kit" has a handcrank flashlight. You spin the crank for about 10 seconds and get a good amount of light. The handcrank radios can give you 20+ minutes of use for 2-3 minutes of cranking.
A razor is probably closer to the flashlight. A good 30 seconds of cranking might be all you need for a good shave.
A razor is probably closer to the flashlight. A good 30 seconds of cranking might be all you need for a good shave.
Posted by girlgeniusNYC on 10/09/13 at 05:07 PM
Great for camping or if the power is out.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/09/13 at 07:39 PM
Our local (VA) power grid is strictly 19th century technology - elevated power lines strung along poles through the trees. Whenever the wind reaches 35 mph or more, tree limbs fall and cause power outages - several times a year - for a day or 12.
If I had one of these I could quit growing my beard.
If I had one of these I could quit growing my beard.
Posted by tadchem on 10/10/13 at 11:22 AM
I bought one of these from Haverhill's in 1971 and took it along when I joined the Peace Corps. After winding it up (kind of like winding a clock; it operated on some kind of spring) it would spin for about 2-3 minutes, although the shave was not really all that close. Where I was going, we couldn't count on electricity and you wouldn't want to nick your skin and make contact with the local water.
Posted by Fritz on 10/10/13 at 07:01 PM
Great article love the images - hop to see more
Posted by Jock Tiernan on 12/12/13 at 07:08 AM
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Category: Inventions | Technology | Environmentalism and Ecology | Facial Hair