Judge, 1919-10-11 · page 29 of 36
Judge — October 11, 1919 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **entirely a commercial advertisement**, not political satire. It's a Genco Razor advertisement from Judge magazine (October 11, 1919). The content explains why barbers prefer Genco straight razors: they maintain a sharp edge through stropping (realigning the blade on a leather strop) without pulling or scraping the skin. The advertisement uses educational copy to distinguish Genco blades' design—concave grind, broad back, proper bevel angle—as superior for professional barbering. The left panel shows razor and strop diagrams; the center depicts a barber actively shaving a customer; the large image dominates, showcasing the razor itself. The copy emphasizes durability, edge retention, and professional quality. There is no political commentary, satire, or social reference. This is straightforward product marketing targeting both barbers and consumers in an era when straight razors were standard grooming tools.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Detober 11, 1919 Have you ever stropped See ey / Why does every eceetnane > Se Barber use this type seas . of Razor? Because while you might shave your own self with a razor that pulls and scrapes, you won’t stand for a barber shaving you with a dull razor. A barber has to have a razor so sharp that it will shave you without pulling. He must use a blade whose keen edge can be restored again and again with a few easy strokes on the strop. Anybody Can Strop a GENCO Razor Every Genco blade is ground concave; its back is broad; and its edge is supported by the required bevel. These features compel a Genco t ade to meet the strop at the right angle to restore the best of shaving edges with a few easy strokes. And that edge on a professional blade—how quickly and smoothly it does its work! It’s the edge that every barber finds he must have. Barbers use Genco Razors, because every one is made of specially wrought steel, that takes quickly a true shaving edge. Why not go to your dealer and see the razor? If you cannot conveniently secure Genco Razors in your locality, we will sce that you are supplied. Remember our guarantee, “Genco Razors must make good or we will.” Geneva Cutlery Corporation 48 Gates Avenue Geneva, N.Y. Largest'Exclusive Manufacturers of High-Grade Razors in the World Reg. U. S. Pat Off.