There is a great Schick Injector information website by Alan G. Appleby at safetyrazors.net. At some point the website was no longer available and I decided to temporarily host some of the information found there on this website. The original site is back, but I'll keep the information here – just in case – and because I like my layout better. The original site can also be found using the excellent “Internet Archive Wayback Machine”: https://web.archive.org/safetyrazors.net/
This is not my material and it does contain errors.

THE SCHICK INJECTOR RAZOR
HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND
IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

The Schick Injector Razor is a familiar piece of shaving hardware. Any day on eBay you can see dozens of them for sale, and relatively few bids out, 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 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 and end to 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. You can read about the history of Col. Schick and his major shaving inventions on our Col. Jacob Schick Page. 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 colour 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

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 Gillette's 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 de luxe versions of their razors like 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 looking razors and the general absence of serial numbers or manufacturing codes linked to time, frustrate efforts to date examples of the razor over time.

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. If you find errors or have some information to add, please e-mail me. A companion page presents more detailed information in a chronological manner that might help you date your razor more specifically. See the Schick Injector Razor Time Line page.

GUIDE to SCHICK INJECTOR and MAGAZINE REPEATING RAZORS

Type*/
Trade Name/
Manufacturer/
Years made/
Patent
Description/
Variations/
Packaging
Head/
Handle/
Guard/
Blades
Pictures
Click for larger image
Hit "Back" to return.
Type A
Magazine Repeating Razor
Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
1926 to 1927
Patents: US1584811 and US1652685
The first safety razor made by Col. Jacob Schick's new company, The Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
Packaging: Long narrow white cardboard box with included blade magazine and instructions.
Folding Head.
Alloy Tube handle with 8 Grooves and vented Cap.
Smooth Bar Guard.
Type A
Type A
Type B
The New Schick Razor
Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
1927 to 1932
Patents: US1584811 and US1652685
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 B2
Type B2
Type B1
Type B1
Type C
The Simplified Schick Automatic Razor
Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
1933 - 1941
Patents: US1452935 and US1797733
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 Comb Guard
Type C1 Comb Guard
Type D
Schick Injector Razor
Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
1935
Patents: US1806087 and US1969945
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 D
Type E
Schick Injector Razor
Deluxe Model
Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
1935-1945
Patent: US1806087
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.
E1 DeLuxe Model
E1 DeLuxe Model
E3 Popularity Kit
E3 Popularity Kit
E3 Imperial Model
E3 Imperial Model
Type F
The New Improved Schick Injector Razor
Magazine Repeating Razor Co.
1940-1941
Patents: US1806087 and US2058633
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 Alloy Razor
Type F Alloy Razor
Type G
Eversharp-Schick Injector Razor
Eversharp Inc.
1946-1955
Patents: US1806087 and US1969945
Eversharp Shick Injector Razors:
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, centre fixed, no flaps.
various finishes
Plastic molded
various colours
Bar Guard with parallel grooves.
Type G
G1 Eversharp ca. 1948
Type G Early rib handle
G8 Rib handle ca. 1953
Type H
Fashion Razor
Eversharp Inc.
1947 through 1953
Patents: US1969945 and US2058633
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 H
Type H1 Fashion Razor
Type I
Schick Injector Razor (and Hydro-magic)
Eversharp Inc.
1955 to 1958
Patent: US2911713
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 touching it.
Triangular,
flat spring
Short square ribbed handle

Bar Guard with
parallel grooves.
Type I
Type I1, later case.
Type J

Schick Injector Razor


Eversharp Inc.

1958 to 1964

Patent: US2911713
Like I model with long round handle.

J1: Long Ivory coloured handle, gold head

J2: Long black handle, silver head

J3: Golden 500: Long black or ivory
coloured handle, gold head,
Hydro-magic lever.

J4: Schick 500: Long black handle,
silver head, Hydro-magic lever.
Triangular,
integral spring

Long round ribbed handle.

Bar Guard with
parallel grooves.

Type J
Type J1, early case.
Type K

Lady Eversharp Beauty Razor


Eversharp Inc.

1962-1968

Patent: US2911713
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. All with HydroMagic lever
Triangular,
flat spring
Long round ribbed handle.

Bar Guard with
parallel grooves.
Type K
Type K2           Type K1
Type L

Schick Injector Razor


Eversharp Inc. and  Warner Lambert Company

1965 to 1980 

Patent: US2911713
L1: Smooth back on handle ribbed below

L2: Stick Schick gearshift lever handle

L3: Schick Grip tennis raquet handle

L4: Schick II twin blade with blue handle
Triangular,
flat spring
Various ribbed handles,
plus special types.

Bar Guard with
parallel grooves.
Type L
Type L1
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: US3203093
Like L models but with blade adjustment knob

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 M
Type M1 Schick Dial
Type N

Schick Injector Razor


Warner Lambert Company

1980 to 1998

Patent: US2911713
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 N
Type N1
Type O

Schick Injector Razor


Pfizer Warner Lambert Company

1999 to date

Patent: US2911713
Stainless Steel handle integrated in head.
Black bumpy rubber grip strips.

Package: Blister pack
(in Japan, discontinued September 2001) or
clear plastic bag (NA online order).

Not available in North America in stores.
Modern triangular head
integrated to handle.
Stainless steel and
black rubber handle.

Bar Guard with
parallel grooves.
Type O
Type O (Japan)

*Footnote: Types as assigned by author for classification purposes; not company design or model designations.
Copyright: Classification, descriptions and design © 2003 Alan G. Appleby.  Any use must include web site identification and URL reference and/ or link. No commercial use.
Thanks: to Rokusan and Komaham for information and clarification on several models listed above.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for personal and recreational use only, and is not guaranteed to be accurate. All trade names are copyright to their respective owners.

Notice: If there is any information on this page which you believe to be injurious or privileged to you., please e-mail me your concerns.