Schick Injector Razors

Canadian Alan G. Appleby created the widely adopted Schick Injector Razor History, Development & Identification Guide. The following is based on his work.

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The Schick Injector Razor is a familiar piece of shaving hardware. Any day on eBay one can see dozens for sale with relatively few bids on them, at least for the common ones. After all, they all look just the same, don't they? "Butterscotch art deco handle and gold head".

But look again, there's more to this razor than meets the eye. Subtle changes and refinements occurred on a regular basis. And these clues, plus packaging, allow us to date the razor with some degree of accuracy. At longer intervals, major styling changes occurred involving both the head and handle. But through it all, from 1935 right into the 2000's, the basic mechanism remained the same. A 1935 blade injector works just fine in a 2003 Injector Razor, and vice versa. And the blades from the 1926 Magazine Repeating razor, Col. Schick's first, will still work in today's razor.

This is one of the longest production runs for any model of safety razor but is likely at an end. It seems now that the current owners of the Schick name, Pfizer Warner-Lambert, are not selling the Injector Razor in stores in North America, although they still sell them in Japan and over the internet. Will we soon see an end to the production of this venerable little shaving machine?

A BRIEF HISTORY

Over the years the Schick Injector Razor has been made by at least four different parent companies. The original Schick Repeating Razors were made for the Magazine Repeating Razor Company by the American Chain and Cable Company in 1926. When Col. Schick decided to follow the dry shave road in 1928, he sold his interest in the Magazine Repeating Razor Company to American Chain and Cable, who continued to make and develop the razor until 1945. Although the razor we now know as the Schick Injector Razor was not produced until 1935, well after Col. Schick sold the company, one of the key patents was taken out by him in 1931, that being for the separate injector magazine with plug in key.

In 1946, the Eversharp Co. bought out the rights to the razor, although the Magazine Repeating Razor Company continued to manufacture the razor until about 1950. Eversharp seemed to want to rename the Schick Injector Razor, perhaps because of confusion with the by then successful Schick Dry Shaver. Over the next few years, the name in advertising and on packaging changed to reflect their ownership. The name became Eversharp Schick Injector Razor, with the 'Schick Injector' part getting smaller and printed in a different font and color that emphasized the phrase "Eversharp Razor". In fact, the ladies Fashion razor and its cheaper cousin, the Deb, were both marketed with only the Eversharp name on the razor, although the packaging still referred to Eversharp-Schick. Here's the sequence:

• 1946: Eversharp Schick Injector Razor
• 1947: Eversharp Schick Injector Razor >(Eversharp larger than Schick)
• 1947: Eversharp Fashion Razor for women
• 1948: Eversharp-Schick Injector Razor (trying the hyphenated name game)
• 1951: Schick Injector Razor ("Eversharp" was a small banner across the "SC" of Schick)
• 1953: Eversharp Hydromagic Razor (had a tiny "Schick Injector" underneath)
• 1962: Lady Eversharp Beauty Razor (some said "by Schick")
• 1965: Schick Safety Razor Co., Division of Eversharp

It would appear that the name Schick was such a part of the product, that a change would not have been a wise marketing decision. Eversharp continued to dabble in putting their name on products like the Lady Eversharp Beauty Razor and The Lady Eversharp Band Razor right up to the time they sold their interest in the company, but they never fully re-created the Schick Injector Razor as the "Eversharp Razor".

In 1969, Eversharp sold the Schick Safety Razor Company to Warner Lambert Company, a pharmaceutical conglomerate that still holds the rights, and they added Wilkinson Sword razors to their stable in the mid-1990's. Warner Lambert was in turn engulfed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, who among other things is now selling Wilkinson designed razors under the Schick name in North America. Unfortunately they terminated sales of the razor in stores in North America in about 1998, although they are still available on the internet. Through it all, the venerable Schick Injector has endured for almost 70 years.

COLLECTOR VALUE

The Schick Injector Razor is no more highly sought after than the common Gillettes of the same era. It was a mass produced article, and the numbers found for sale on auction sites like Ebay attest to its popularity as a shaving tool, and its endurance as an object. The bare razor is not worth very much (or anything at all) unless it displays one or more of the following characteristics: unusual handle materials, precious metals, short production runs, intact packaging and paper, and special offers or promotions. The most valuable models normally seen for sale are sterling silver versions of the Magazine Repeating Razor produced in the late 1920's. After the 1930's, Schick rarely produced deluxe versions of their razors as Gillette and others did. Some notable exceptions: the gold plated and gold filled handles released by Eversharp in 1946 and 1947, the up-scale "Golden 500" model released in the early 1960's, and the International Silver version with the "Paul Revere" tableware handle that appeared in the early 1970's.

MODEL IDENTIFICATION AND DATING

Dating Schick Injector Razors is not as easy as dating some other popular razors like Gillettes. After the addition of the bakelite handle in 1936, the outward appearance of the razor changed very little until the mid 1950's. A period of updating and restyling followed until the basic format of the late 1960's, which endured with little change for another third of a century until late in the 1990's. These long periods of similar styles and the general absence of serial numbers or manufacturing codes frustrate efforts to date the razors.

However, there are several ways to place a Schick Injector Razor into at least a period of time, if not an exact year. There are manufacturing codes on most Schick razor products made since about 1960. On razors these codes relate to the manufacturing plant and machinery. But on blade cartridges made since about 1953, they relate to both plants and dates. Plastic razor cases produced since 1950 have dates built into their manufacturing codes. Instruction sheets may have printing dates. Razors in blister packaging also have manufacturing codes with date information, as well as copyright information that generally gives at least a few years span. So while we can't get it down to a particular year or quarter in most cases, we can generally get within a few years at least.

The Table below is a guide based on my own research and collection, and the "Types" are not company designations but ones I have made to classify different products that often went by the same trade name. I hope it helps you to understand and enjoy Schick Injector Razors better.

Guide to Schick Injector and Magazine Repeating Razors

Type	Description	Details	Photos
Type A Magazine Repeating Razor Magazine Repeating Razor Co. 1926 to 1927 Patent: 1584811 and 1652685	The first safety razor made by Col. Jacob Schick's new company, The Magazine Repeating Razor Co.	Folding Head. Alloy Tube handle with 8 Grooves and vented Cap. Smooth Bar Guard.	Type A
Type B The New Schick Razor Magazine Repeating Razor Co. 1927 to 1932 Patents: 1584811 and 1652685	3 basic models: B1: Silver plate handle, no cap. B2: Gold plate, no cap. B3: Sterling silver, several patterns, with cap. Packaging: B1: narrow white box and leather sheath. B2: rectangular clam shell case. B3: rectangular clam shell case (longer than B2).	Folding Head Square handle, finely grooved, gold or silver plate. No cap. Some sterling silver with cap. Smooth Bar or Closed Comb guard	Type B1 Type B2 Type B3
Type C The Simplified Schick Automatic Razor Magazine Repeating Razor Co. 1933 - 1941 Patents: 1452935 and 1797733	Simplified loading mechanism did away with the difficult spring plug. Came in 3 models: C1: full open comb guard, C2: closed comb guard, and C3: bar guard (the rarest version) Package: narrow white box with blue trim.	Folding Head. Square, gold plated, filigree design, usually with cap. Open Comb, Closed comb, or Smooth Bar Guard	Type C1 Type C3
Type D Schick Injector Razor Magazine Repeating Razor Co. 1935 Patents: 1806087 and 1969945	The first Schick Injector Razor. Used an external blade injector. Head opened to clean the blade. Case: was a maroon bakelite box with a "wax seal" type logo on top.	Traditional Head. Flat square spring, moveable with handle. Scissors type split metal gold plated handle. Bar Guard with irregular striations.	Type D
Type E Schick Injector Razor Deluxe Model Magazine Repeating Razor Co. 1935-1945 Patent: 1806087	First Schick with amber bakelite handle. Head form that was used up to 1954. Variations based on handle & head finish. E1: Flat Head spring with tabs E2: Round spring with flaps Spring moved left to open the blade clamp for washing. Package: a black bakelite box (like D), or gold and red cardboard box. E2 to E5: spring fixed in place at sides. E3: bar guard gets parallel grooving. E4: Side flaps removed from spring. E5: Rarely seen with black handle. Packaging: Domed leather over metal clam shell in: brown (common) with 20 year guarantee, blue (scarce) likely WW2 Navy issue or red (rarest) always WW2 armed forces. Various cardboard boxes (blue is common). Bakelite case in black or brown (Canada).	Traditional Head. Round spring, side flaps, (early: flat with tabs). Right side spring restraint or restraints on both sides. Carmel Bakelite Handle. Bar Guard with irregular striations.	Type E1 DeLuxe Model Type E2 (Fixed Spring) Type E2 (Non-fixed Spring) Type E3 Popularity Kit Type E3 Imperial Model Type E5
Type F The New Improved Schick Injector Razor Magazine Repeating Razor Co. 1940-1941 Patents: 1806087 and 2058633	Cast alloy handle also forms guard. Spring and cap integral, of brass. Package: unique black folding plastic art deco case with blade vault.	Copper and Alloy Head, Integral spring. Cast alloy handle. Bar Guard with irregular striations.	Type F
Type G Eversharp-Schick Injector Razor Eversharp Inc. 1946-1955 Patents: 1806087 and 1969945	G1: Molded plastic handle (seam). Case: 1946-49: Brown/cream box. 1950-53: Red plastic clear lid. G2: 14kt gold handle (solid metal). Case: Brown clam shell gold trim. G3: Gold plated handle (metal shell). Case: Brown clam shell gold trim. G4: Schick 66 - blue handle, chrome head. Package: Fitted cardboard box. G5: Turquoise handle often textured head. Package: Brown and cream cardboard box. G6: Clear amber plastic handle. Package: Brown and cream cardboard box. G8: Square, partially ribbed handle Case: maroon plastic with clear or maroon lid.	Traditional Head. Round spring, Center fixed, No flaps. Various finishes, Plastic molded, Various colors Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type G1 Type G2 Type G3 Type G4 Type G5 Type G6 Type G8
Type H Fashion Razor Eversharp Inc. 1947 through 1953 Patents: 1969945 and 2058633	H1: Ladies Fashion Razor White plastic handle and gold metal cap. H2: The Deb Fashion Razor Turquoise or red plastic handle pulls off and becomes storage cap. Packaging: Cubic paper boxes, gold printing.	Compact and flat travel style with cap. Integral spring Molded plastic plug Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type H1
Type I Schick Injector Razor (and Hydro-magic) Eversharp Inc. 1955 to 1958 Patent: 2911713	The first major change in 20 years. I1: Short square ribbed ivory handle and gold head, or rarely black handle and silver (chrome) head. I2: Hydro-Magic: Short square ribbed black handle, Hydro-Magic lever and gold head, or rarely, silver (chrome) head. The Hydro-Magic lever allowed loosening of the cap and guard to rinse the blade without removing or touching it.	Triangular, flat spring. Short square ribbed handle. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type I1 Type I1 (Black Handle) Type I2
Type J Schick Injector Razor Eversharp Inc. 1958 to 1964 Patent: 2911713	Like the I model with a long, round handle. J1: Long Ivory coloured handle, gold head. J2: Long black handle, silver head. J3: Golden 500: Long black or ivory colored handle, gold head, Hydro-magic lever. J4: Schick 500: Long black or white handle, silver head, Hydro-magic lever.	Triangular, integral spring. Long round ribbed handle. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type J1 Type J3
Type K Lady Eversharp Beauty Razor Eversharp Inc. 1962-1968 Patent: 2911713	All with Hydro-Magic lever. K1: Handle tipped with metal ferrule, Head in silver or gold. K2: Handle tapered with glitter imbedded Head in silver or gold. K3: As K2, handle cut short for compact case, with medallion on cut end.	Triangular, flat spring. Long round ribbed handle. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type K1 Type K2 Type K3
Type L Schick Injector Razor Eversharp Inc. and Warner Lambert Company 1965 to 1980 Patent: 2911713	L1: Smooth back on handle ribbed below.  L2: Stick Schick gearshift lever handle. L3: Schick Grip tennis racquet handle. L4: Schick II twin blade with blue handle. L5: Paul Revere International Silver Company version with the "Paul Revere" tableware handle. L6: Easy Rider Yellow handle; 1969 Easy Rider movie promotional. L7: Championship White handle with red and blue stripes; Olympics promotional.	Triangular, flat spring. Various ribbed handles, plus special types. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type L1 Type L2 Type L3 Type L5 Type L6 Type L7
Type M Schick Dial Injector Razor Eversharp Inc. and "Adjustable by Schick", and Schick Injector Adjustable Razor by Warner Lambert Company 1965 to 1972 Patent: 3203093	Like the L models but with a blade adjustment knob. MP: Prototype Schick Dial Adjustable Injector Razor All metal dial M1: "Schick Dial" Injector Razor Handle insert with name. No dot on knob. Packaging: Black plastic clamshell case with clear lid (65-66). White plastic clamshell, clear lid, red liner (66-68). M2: "Adjustable by Schick" Injector Razor Handle insert, Dot on knob with cross. Packaging: Various plastic cases. M3: Schick Injector "Adjustable Razor" No spine insert, black dot on knob. Packaging: yellow blister pack.	Triangular, integral spring, blade adjustment knob. Square black fine ribbed handle, usually with metal name insert. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type MP Type M1 Type M2
Type N Schick Injector Razor Warner Lambert Company 1980 to 1998 Patent: 2911713	N1: Handle with chrome accent strip. N2: Plain black handle. N3: Rubber wide rib handle. Packaging: various blister packs in yellow (to 1985) green (to 1995) and gold.	T shaped head, flat narrow spring. Black plastic, various square profile handles. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.	Type N1
Type O Schick Injector Razor Pfizer Warner Lambert Company 1999 to date Patent: 2911713	Not available in North America in stores. Stainless Steel handle integrated in head. Black bumpy rubber grip strips. Package: Blister pack (in Japan, discontinued September 2001) or clear plastic bag.	Modern triangular head integrated to handle. Stainless steel and black rubber handle. Bar Guard with parallel grooves.

Footnote: Types as assigned by author for classification purposes; not company design or model designations.