Not all savages are unshaven
Traditionally, prehistoric Stone Age people are depicted with their hair down to their eyes. Populations of ancient humans such as Neanderthals were very different from each other, but archaeologists known many cave paintings of beardless men. It is believed that sharpened shells or sharp pieces of stone were used to get rid of unwanted hair. The oldest razor-like object discovered by archaeologists was created 20 thousand years ago, long before the Neolithic revolution and the development of metals. Probably at that time hair was not cut very much, it was plucked using a sharp edge.
Much more is known about shaving practices in the Bronze Age. For example, this process was common practice in ancient Egypt and dates back to B.C. Shaving tools have been found in graves dating back to the 4th millennium BC. At the time, razors looked like thin, round bronze plates; Some were simply hand-held, while others had a solid cast iron or wooden handle.
Razors similar in design were common throughout the world in the Bronze Age. For example, a few years ago near Novosibirsk in Russia to create The razor is 4 thousand years old. It was sharpened on all sides and was probably used not only for cutting hair but also as a universal tool. Even though this razor wasn’t very sharp, it was definitely dangerous. This meant it was impossible to have smooth skin or get rid of cuts.
Age of the Razor
The Romans began to shave only during the Punic Wars, but since then it has become firmly established in the culture and a clean face has become an important attribute of a citizen. A type of Roman razor was the novacila, which in appearance was more like brass knuckles – the handle was located behind the straight blade and was often decorated with ornaments or figures. Razor blades were also used any shapes and types, iron, bronze and even copper.
But the sharpness of old razors probably cannot be compared to the steel blades of modern times. They were difficult and cumbersome to use, and almost no one shaved themselves. Citizens utilized the services of toners (barbers), and ancient writers describe visiting a toner shop as a slow and often painful process. Shaving took regular breaks to re-sharpen the blade and soften the hair with a warm, wet towel. The Romans jokingly called the visit to the tonsor “a feast without wine” – according to modern reconstructions, the process took at least a quarter of an hour, during which time it was possible to discuss the news with other visitors.
It is known that the Romans had to rub their skin with pumice stones to get rid of stubble; It’s a need that modern men (and women) are avoiding. They also regularly cut themselves (or rather, were cut) and covered their skin with oil and vinegar patches. Only a good master with high-quality tools could achieve a clean shave and not turn the face into a permanent scar, but for members of the elite a neat appearance was mandatory. I still have memories of how bad it was to have an incompetent toner.
This is how shaving was done in the Middle Ages and early modern times; until finally a razor with a crucible steel blade was invented in England in the first half of the 18th century. It was distinguished by its strength and flexibility, thanks to which the blade remained perfectly sharpened for a long time. At this point the razor assumed its essentially modern form and remained a standard shaving tool until the early 20th century.
Machine tools and machines
The first serious blow to the razor came from Gillette machines with replaceable stamped blades made of thin steel. Since the blade was hidden inside the machine, cutting became difficult when used correctly and shaving no longer required precision. Gillette’s finest hour came during the First World War, because it was pointless to wear a gas mask on an unshaven face, and life in the trenches was difficult without labor-intensive hygiene procedures. That’s why the US Army placed a large order for razors for soldiers.
But it was not a government order, but a commercial calculation and an aggressive marketing campaign that made the razor the mainstream shaving tool. American businessmen realized that selling blades that can be consumed during a person’s life is much more profitable than making a razor “for centuries.” Therefore, advertising in every possible way exaggerated the danger of the open-blade razor and promoted shaving in every possible way – it is believed that the fashion among women to shave armpits and legs is also a product of Gillette marketing. At the same time, classic barbers are a thing of the past, as it is easy to use the shaver yourself. The profession was revived only decades later, when barbers began to be consulted for proper beard trimming.
The classic electric shaver has almost completely killed off patent American Jacob Schick in 1930. She did not remove her hair using a sharp knife; instead the hair fell into the holes of the metal plate and was cut by the head rocking back and forth. Most modern electric shavers have broadly the same design. Chic’s invention was comfortable in the hand (unlike previous devices), did not require water or foam for shaving, and the scraping blade did not irritate the skin. The company tried to claim that its electric shaver provided a cleaner shave than a regular shaver, but this was an advertising lie.
In the 20th century, razors and electric shavers essentially divided the market, and the choice between them was a matter of taste and preference.
Revival of the classics
Both Jacob Schick and King Camp Gillette would never believe in the resurrection of a defeated archaic rival in the distant future. Demand for classic razors increased significantly in the first decade of the 21st century – one of the German companies in 2006 augmented Production from 8 thousand units per year to 3 thousand units per month. It is also easy to find classic razors in Russia, both in markets (the average price is about a few thousand rubles) and in barbershops. Some videos with instructions on how to use them have been viewed more than a million times on YouTube without any advertising campaign.
There are two reasons for this renaissance. First of all, the struggle for ecology and conscious consumption is gaining momentum in the Western world. A reusable razor, an innovative reusable coffee cup, or a plastic bag are a sensible companion for the cloth shopper. The rejection of consumables also seems to many to be a rebellion against capitalism.
Second, and more importantly, the razor is stylish. Beautiful wooden handle and high-quality steel give the impression of seriousness thingsIt’s fun to hold it in your hand and put it on the shelf. 007: The 2012 James Bond film Skyfall, in which the hero uses a razor, also contributed to its popularity. Finally, with the right amount of skill, the open blade will shave noticeably smoother than the best razors.
Thus, an ancient instrument returned to modern people, having come a very long way from the sharp shell of a savage to the attribute of a fashionable city dweller.