Available is an "Whetter" Rolls Razor set in an original leather box. These are great shavers and collectibles alike. Although Gillette disposable safety razor blades had gained popularity and most of the market there were still men looking to shave with the wedge blades they had grown accustomed to. These blades needed to be honed and stropped like straight razors. This set includes a wedge safety razor blade, handle, strop, and hone.

Here’s where it gets tricky: The Whetter is much more rare. Some collectors think it was a special edition or a marketing variant. There’s limited documentation on the Whetter name, but from what’s circulated among collectors, “The Whetter” was likely marketed with extra emphasis on the honing/stropping action (“to whet” = to sharpen) — possibly to highlight improvements or to appeal to a market interested in sharpening precision.

• Possible distinguishing points:

  • Same mechanical system as the Imperial but maybe marketed under a different name

  • Potentially slight variations in the case design or finish

  • Likely produced in smaller numbers, making it rarer on the vintage market

  • Might have slightly different packaging or internal labeling

? Important note: Neither of these razors uses modern double-edge (DE) blades. Both use proprietary Rolls blades that you sharpen yourself. They’re often miscalled “double edge” because of the safety razor shape, but they’re really closer to a wedge-style single-edge blade.

Lightly restored but the blade has not been honed, thus it is not shave ready. 

Country of Manufacture: England
Type: Single Edge Razor
Finish: Chrome
Date: 1940's 
Condition: Cleaned, Sanitized
Grade: Good
Imperfections: Case worn, slight imperfections on strop
Included: Original box, metal case, handle, strop, stone, blade, original paperwork

History: Rolls Razors were one of the last safety razors to use a blade that needed regular upkeep. They accomplished making it easier for the average shaver with a clever metal case that performed the stropping and honing in addition to serving as a storage device.