[Hallicrafters] Needed: Marlin Razor Blade

[Pagel, Mike]

Gentlemen:

Here is a source for old razor blades - and other foxhole radio
components.  Unfortunately, I did not see the Marlin blades, although
the site offers Gillette and Waltham blades from the 40's.

http://home.earthlink.net/~wb5rex/xtalman/detectors.html

73, de Mike, K9UW
Amherst, WI



-----Original Message-----
From: hallicrafters-admin at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:hallicrafters-admin at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kevin J Ward
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 12:52 AM
To: dfischer at usol.com
Cc: hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Needed: Marlin Razor Blade


Duane -

I read a book on the subject of WWII prison camps and some of the stuff
the prisoners made; can't recall the title just now.  I remember
distinctly the description of a "razor blade radio" and it needed a
Gillette Blue Blade, which had to be rusty!  A new blade would not work,
and no other brand of blade would suffice.  I think this was because the
Gillette blade was the only Chromium alloy blade in existence, at that
time.  Certain coins would also work, if suitably corroded, as well as
other substitutes, although the rusty razor blade made the most
sensitive
detector.  

Remodeling contractors often find these blades when they tear out the
walls of an old bathroom because the old medicine cabinets had a slot in
the back wall for used razor blades.  They fell into the open wall
cavity
below the cabinet.  I guess the theory was they would never be seen
again, much like the thinking of industry when they bury manufacturing
waste on the company property, rather than dispose of it responsibly. 
Ask a friendly contractor to save you some of these blades, if you can
do
it with a straight face.  

Kevin  N2IE

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