The Darwin “Popular” razor is a very special razor in the Darwin range. It was the brand’s only double-edged chrome-plated razor. It is also one of the rarest, for no apparent reason. Discover this unique razor with our photos and archive images.
Aspects of the Darwin "Popula" razor
The Darwin “Popular” razor was made of chrome-plated brass. As with other Darwin razors, there are too few sources to establish exact production dates with certainty. This razor was considered adjustable because it had lines on the neck of the handle that could be used as a guide when tightening the blade. It is a simple system, based solely on the tension of a thick blade. A modern, thinner blade would not allow this feature to be used. It is therefore not a mechanical adjustment, in the sense that there is no mechanism added to a normal razor. Gillette recommended unscrewing the razor by an eighth of a turn for a closer shave, and the Darwin Popular system is similar.
Other razors of the era used this marking system, notably the direct competitor Eclipse “Red Ring” and, of course, the Darwin “Adjustable” razor.
It can be recognised by its straight knurked handle, its guard plate attached to the handle (two-piece model) and the lines engraved on the neck of the handle with an arrow to hold the line of your choice.
Cases for the Darwin "Popula" razor
We are only aware of one case for this razor, the one featured in the 1934 catalogue. It is a brown “mahogany” Bakelite box, typical of the 1930s. We present it below.
Robert K. Waits, in his book Safety Razor Compendium, describes it as follows (excerpt opposite): Darwins Ltd, Sheffield, England. Gillette-type razor, double-edge, ribbed bar guard, adjustable blade exposure, two-piece, chromium-plated, knurled handle. Takes three-hole blade.
Why is the Darwin Polurar razor so rare ?
Like the Miracol model, the Darwin Popular razor seems to be even rarer than the Deluxe and Standard models today, as only a few examples appear to have survived. We are not sure why, as this razor had several interesting selling points:
- Less expensive model than its counterparts (due to its materials)
- Adjustable model without being complicated, which was unusual, simple to explain.
- Elegant presentation
- It is listed in the catalogue on a full page.
One might have thought that this razor sold in large numbers, but apparently that was not the case. In fact, very few of these razors have survived the test of time, for a razor sold as “Popular”. We believe this is because it looks much more “ordinary” than all other brands of DE razors. At first glance, it does not stand out from competing models. We therefore believe that many of these razors have been thrown away over the years, while the Deluxe and Standard models, with their unique look and feel, were more likely to be carefully stored away in a drawer where they lay dormant for decades before being rediscovered.
Other possible theories:
- Was this model produced just before the war and therefore only sold in very small quantities? Unlikely, as it appears in the 1934 catalogue, which means it was on the market for five years, which is a long time for that era.
- Design issue?
- Poor customer reviews for a razor that aimed to be “popular”?
- Internal decision to withdraw it?
- Would another manufacturer have cried plagiarism? Unlikely, as many razors looked similar and sold without any problems.
- …
Do you own a Darwin razor but are unsure of its name? Feel free to browse our article on “How to identify your Darwin razor”.
Do you have more information about the Darwin Popular razor? Please feel free to contact us so that we can add it to our online museum!
