Straight razor Vostok with Sputnik-themed artwork, circa late 1950s - 1960s.
The razor measures 6" when folded. The blade is in nickel-plated stainless steel, the handle is a two-part construction, made of hard dark-red, almost black plastic. The handle is decorated on both sides, one side featuring the Vostok brand and price of 4 roubles, the other side showing the globe with the orbiting Sputnik Vostok, the first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in October of 1957 to successfully orbit the Earth. The artwork is pressed into the plastic and dyed lighter red, an interesting choice of color for this sharp and occasionally lethal gr
The razor measures 6" when folded. The blade is in nickel-plated stainless steel, the handle is a two-part construction, made of hard dark-red, almost black plastic. The handle is decorated on both sides, one side featuring the Vostok brand and price of 4 roubles, the other side showing the globe with the orbiting Sputnik Vostok, the first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in October of 1957 to successfully orbit the Earth. The artwork is pressed into the plastic and dyed lighter red, an interesting choice of color for this sharp and occasionally lethal grooming tool.
The razor comes with its original beige packaging box, in cardboard wrapped in oilcloth, marked with the stylized image of the Sputnik, followed by the Russian wording for "razor "Vostok", the RSFSR manufacturing standard number and the price. All in red again.
In excellent condition. The blade shows mild traces of the stropping belt, not reaching through the nickel plating. The plastic of the handle is intact and shows minuscule scuffs and scratches of use wear. The lid of the box is tight and holds in place well. The outer surface of the box is mildly soiled but shows no tears or any significant deformations.
Straight razors remained very popular among the male population of the USSR long after the safety razors became available, mostly due to atrocious quality of Soviet-made razor blades manufactured for safety razors. Needless to say, the Iron Curtain kept the good Western-made blades absolutely unavailable for an ordinary Soviet male.
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