Recently I was fortunate enough to try the new “Bakelite Open Comb Slant” double edge safety razor that was introduced by Phoenix Accoutrements just a few weeks ago. While this razor is brand new to the market, the design and concept is not. Bakelite products has been around for years and has claimed its place in “durable material” history. Let’s take a moment to review some facts about Bakelite.
Bakelite History
In the early 20th century Leo Baekeland the inventor of Velox Photographic paper and his assistant Nathaniel Thurlow were experimenting with different soluble resins. Their goal, to find a synthetic material to fulfill the shortage of “shellac” a naturally occurring resin secreted by the East Asian lac bug used for insulating electrical wires. As the demand for electricity increased so did the demand for electrical wires. They made several attempts but had no mainstream success.
Finally, In 1907 Baekeland and Thurlow succeeded. They found that heating up a mixture of phenol, formaldehyde and other chemicals in a large heating pot (later called the Bakelizer), created an easy to manage resin that could be molded and set to any shape. After several variations they came up with a product that was strong, had high resistance to heat and electrical conductivity. Bakelite was born.
Baekeland applied for his first patent in 1906 and announced to the world in 1909 of his new creation, a synthetic resin that could be used to insulate wires as well as other commercial and residential uses. Soon after Bakelite found its way into hundreds of products.
Some of its uses:
- Insulation for electrical wires (high resistance to both heat and conductivity)
- Bases for light bulbs
- Distributor caps for automobiles
- Jewelry
- Telephones
- Razors
And more.
By the 1930’s products made of Bakelite were in most households. Now that we know how Bakelite entered our lives, let’s check out this razor!
Packaging
The razor comes packaged in a sturdy box that looks like it’s straight off the shelf of an antique store. It’s fully enclosed and has no window to give you a sneak peak of what lies ahead of you.
The classic styling along with basic color scheme just says “vintage”. It’s a perfect fit for a razor that’s been brought to life to fill a modern need with a vintage twist.
Inside you’ll find a set of instructions that are easy to read, with all the necessary information to operate the razor. It also fits the vintage bill with its black and white coloring, and simple illustrations that look like they’re straight from the 1930’s. Needless to say, no stone was left unturned with the presentation of this razor.
Razor
Available in white or black these classic colors fit the description of a vintage Bakelite razor.
At first glance the razor looked light and brittle, but once held I noticed it was very balanced and strong. I was surprised how solid it felt even though it was not heavy. I remember saying to myself “Yep, this razor is the real deal”.
Unscrewing the top posed no threat and it was very nice to see brass hardware used as the nuts and bolts of the operation. Loading the blade required some care (c’mon now it’s a razor) and I nervously followed the directions and socked the blade down tight. One thing to remember, this razor is a slant and the blade becomes tenser when tightening. It’s very important to follow the directions and tighten it all the way. It may feel awkward at first but I can assure you it’s correct.
With the blade loaded I noticed the edge was more exposed than other razors I have used in the past. The reasoning for this is purely functional, and is noticeable in the shave. We’ll go over that in the next section.
Performance
Over a time span of 3 weeks I used this razor almost every day. I tried several different blades but kept the soap and brush the same just so I can eliminate any other factors that may affect performance.
Shaving with this razor requires a different approach then you would with your standard Gillette Adjustable or other modern day safety razor. It’s very important to remember that the slant feature requires changes to your technique and your approach. It’s important to shave with the razor level and straight even though your motor skills will want to follow the direction of the slant. I had to remind myself several times to keep the razor in the correct position to fully take advantage of the slant feature.
When shaving with the grain it’s extremely important to use a light touch and no pressure. The weight of the razor is deceiving and human nature will want you to shave aggressively. It’s important not to be human in this particular situation.
Remember the extra blade exposure discussed earlier? You’ll notice it here. After a few shaves, I noticed that I was able to get a different angle toward the hairs on my beard, much like a straight razor. The exposure of the blade allows you to pin point the exact angle that suits you thus a more custom shave. Once I learned that, I truly found the “sweet spot” with this razor.
Shaving against the grain (ATG) requires the same light touch and care. I can’t emphasize how important it is not to use any added pressure and to make sure you do not compromise the slant when shaving with this razor, especially here. Let the blade do the work otherwise you may experience some irritation as you would with any razor.
Overall
The Bakelite slant is a solid razor that performs well and is offered at a fair price. It’s built to last for years of continuous use. Although easy to operate, this razor does have a slight learning curve especially for those who have not experienced slant razors. It’s very important to read the directions included in the packaging and to use a light touch when shaving.
I enjoy using this razor and will keep it in my regular rotation for years to come.
About the Author
Joe Borrelli is a long-time wet shaving enthusiast and collector. He hosts the Wet Shaving News Podcast and runs his own self-funded website http://shavestraightandsafe.com/ to help inform the community of new information involving the wet shaving world. Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nation’s largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife Linda, outdoor activities and collecting wet shaving apparel. Find out more about Joe here.
I have a PAA Bakelite OC Slant. It is my go to razor. I have had it for about a month, and only once have I went back to my Super Speed. The handle has a brass fitting at the top of the handle so there are no worries about threads stripping. I get a great shave from this razor and will definitely purchase more PAA items.
If it’s a PAA product I’m not interested!
Marco, care to elaborate? Have you had issues with PAA products or service? Seems odd making a post like that without some detail.
And as to Bakelite, I’ve seen razors from the 1940s and, other than the patina which has been noted (and looks spectacular, IMO), there didn’t seem to be any issues with degradation. And how long do you think a $20 razor should last to make it a reasonable deal? Not everything needs to be an heirloom to pass down from son-to-son. I’m sure a Bakelite razor will last one a lifetime if well cared for.
The only reason I haven’t procured one is, the weight. I tend to like a heavier razor. But as I’ve never had a slant, and have always like the Bakelite look, I’m tempted to try this one.
One quick off-topic question, Mark. Why were there no comments allowed on the Beau Brummell post? I believe there have been comments on some sponsored posts in the past. Is it up to the sponsor? If so, I don’t think this sets a good tone for a brand like Beau Brummell. If not, I wonder what the parameters are. Anyway, I ordered the sample, as I like the look and the review.
Marco, I wish you would have responded. I spent the past hour digging into why you would write off PAA.
The story behind HTGAM and PAA is one of dishonest marketing, phony reviews and forum postings. (That’s not to say their products aren’t very good, according to many.) But as a society, IMO, we’ve become FAR to accepting of deception and outright lies. It’s a real shame. I won’t bother you with all the details, but you can do a Google search, or get started here:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/429635-Has-anyone-been-watching-the-downfall-of-HTGAM-PPF
Anyway, I noticed Douglas Smythe (or whatever name he uses now) used to be a contributor here on the Sharpologist. Fortunately, I haven’t seen a post from him in a long time. I hope that was a conscious decision by Mark. I have to say, I’m a bit surprised Mark hasn’t addressed the issue here. But maybe he did, and I simply missed it. Needless to say, I will not be ordering a PAA Bakelite slant, either.
Hey Brian,
I actually think we live in a society where public shaming has become the social norm based on one side of events, a world were everything is black and white and accepted at face value, a world were folks rush to comment before fact checking.
That said, I am probably one of the most accessable artisans in the wet shaving community. If ever you have a question or concern I am readily available. Unfortunately the forums you used as a resource I am not a part of, so seldom will you hear my side.
I admit when we first started I made some really dumb/embarrasing mistakes but have appologized and owned them many a time. However, I have also been accused of many a thing I never did. Things that absolutely baffle me and that I will never appologize for.
Traditional Shaving is a passion of mine, from creating soaps and splashes, designing packages, to “rebooting” classic design razors that would otherwise have disapeared. I also devote all of my free time to educating and spreading the wet shaving word…Fran and I both work our butts off 24/7 here delivering excellent customer service and creating high quality wet shaving software/hardware going above and beyond. This is what we love and live to do.
Sorry for the confusion, but again, if you or anyone has any questions for me, i’m only an email away. Looking forward to hearing from you.
D
Bakelite does degrade over time, losing its sheen & becoming more porous and ultimately more brittle and fragile. In light of all the advances in polymer chemistry I am curious why they chose this material?
Thanks for the comment Larry !
I believe Bakelite was chosen as a razor making material during a time when steel and other metals were being used for war preparations. From what I gather the man behind this particular razor was creating a tribute to those past pieces with the intention to revitalize a part of classic shaving at an affordable price.
As for delicacy, I’ve perosnally handled and used several vintage Bakelite razors, and found that they form a “patina” (changed color) but still perform flawlessly.
BULL manure! Up till today we have in use a TOASTER [for bread] made just after WWII – yes, the black got dull over time, but brittle? fragile? Don’t think so!
And frequently in use.
[a pity I can’t show you the photo]
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