The Rolls Razor is a safety razor that was manufactured by Rolls Razor Limited, a British company known for its manufacture of a sophisticated safety-razor and later, an "affordable" twin-tub washing machine. The razor was manufactured and sold until 1958, when the company was purchased by entrepreneur/corporate raider John Bloom, who decided to focus on washing machines rather than the razor. The razor was made in several models with variations based solely on casing material, finish, and shape. The earliest models have a pebble-finish metal case, while the nickel-plated Imperial No. 2 is the most common, along with the silver-plated Imperial which was packaged with a hard leatherette storage box. During World War II, the case was made all aluminum. Older razors, pre-1930, do not have a Greek key pattern on the case, and a gold-plated case was made before 1930, but is very rare.
The Rolls Razor is a wedge safety razor blade that is fitted with a safety bar and is held by a handle. It includes a wedge safety razor blade, handle, strop, and hone. The holder has stone and strop sides, and blade and handle. The razor is a work of art, especially including the blue extra case and the original paperwork. The blade may tarnish slightly and the gears may squeak, but these are easily dealt with some oil and some gentle polishing. The razor is not recommended for clean up if perfection is required, as the size and shape of the blade can make it difficult to maneuver in areas with less "flex".
Positive aspects of the Rolls Razor include its aesthetic appeal and the fact that it will never clog or get "stuck" on a large patch of hair, nor will it accumulate soap residue. Negative aspects include the difficulty in maneuvering the blade in areas with less "flex" and the fact that the hones on the razor can crack easily if not put together correctly.
In summary, the Rolls Razor is a safety razor that was manufactured in several models with variations based solely on casing material, finish, and shape. It includes a wedge safety razor blade, handle, strop, and hone. Positive aspects of the razor include its aesthetic appeal and the fact that it will never clog or get "stuck" on a large patch of hair, while negative aspects include the difficulty in maneuvering the blade in areas with less "flex" and the fact that the hones on the razor can crack easily if not put together correctly.