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So I just sent my straight razor to Lynn Abrams for honing/repair. And in a panic, without a means to shave I went to a newly opened vintage store close to my place. I bought this safety razor for the interim, but I know nothing about them.
Can anybody tell me what this is and exactly what blades to get for it? And where to get the blades, because I need blades ASAP.
Looks like an old Tech or possibly an old original ceria 1920"s . Can't see the numbers on it. As for blades, I'd advise a sample pack of your favorite blades.
If you want to remove the patina and use it. I would start off cleaning it with toothpaste and old brush.
Any double edge razor blade will fit and work. Some shave better than others but each person id different in what blade works best for them. I am sure Wally World or any drug store may have them.
Bob
It's a Gillette Tech head with a ball-end Old Type handle I believe. In other words the handle and the head are from two different razors.
I also think it is "Frankenrazor". The original Gillette old style and new style would have an open comb head, this has a safety bar like later Tech's. Clean it up and should work just fine
Quote:
Originally Posted by eaglesgift
wally world sells wilkinson sword blades which might work for you (they tugged a bit for me) but it's worth a try while you wait for a sample pack.
I have two of these, one gold toned and one silver. They are both great little shavers, and not to aggressive. They are a little on the light side so watch how much pressure you use to avoid razor burn. It should clean and polish up well as that they are very well built. If your in a hurry to use Wilkinson Sword, blades are ok but if you find the shave less the great don't blame the razor, and try again after you get better blades. Great find,good luck
Even being a frankenrzor, it may shave fine. Go to CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart to look for blades.
Well I did some research. And I think it might be an all original 1920's manufacture. All the pieces fit, and the top had lost most of its goldtone. On the handle I can make out a 1920 patent statement. I looked up the word Regus on this site and found a later make and model posted with the underlined title below.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ype-razor.html
I will take more photos and show you guys the new findings soon. But the checkering and everything seems to match. Again I think handle and head are original, not mixed. But I only paid 5 dollars for the thing. They had another that I didn't buy that said Ever Ready, that had some kind of grill to it.
Here's a Gillette new style on the left and a 1940's Tech on the right
Attachment 185294
There's no way that the head was made in the 1920s. It's 100% a Tech, so some time from 1938 onwards as far as I'm aware. The threads are the same, which is why the handle fits. For $5 it's a steal anyway and will work fine. From rodb's picture it would seem that the handle could have come from a New or an Old Type. Compare the handle on the thread to which you posted a link and yours - they're not the same.
EDIT: I believe that the handles for the New, New Improved and New Deluxe had a patent date of Jan 13, 1920 stamped on the handle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eaglesgift
Well I have some more photos of the razor broken down. I hope this can help get some conclusive input. Now I did go to the local Rite Aid and pharmacy got some of their generic brand blades. They were made in Israel and actually were the only safety blades that they carried.
I got a pretty good shave though. So good in fact that I wonder how disposables ever caught on. The shave still was not as good or as close as my straight razor though. I could feel, but not really see, stubble. With the straight razor there is nothing but smoothness.
I suppose it could be novice technique. But I applied no real pressure as suggested with these devices, and did the best I could.
All things considered I did enjoy the shave and I am now a fan of the safety razor. I probably could stand to learn more about it. Anyway here is what I have below. Now on the handle it dos say PAT. JAN 13, 1920 U.S.A. And underneath it says OTHER PATENTS PENDING. There is also a hairline crack in the handle. But it is very hard and holds everything securely without any toggle or movement at all.
Is it really a steal at 5$? Because im thinking I would like one in much better condition. Possibly new old stock. This was a desperation purchase.
Attachment 185402Attachment 185403Attachment 185398Attachment 185399Attachment 185404
I believe that you have a hybrid razor with a handle that is a mismatch to the head. That is no big deal as far as the shave goes or the 5 buck cost.
That is a Gillette Tech head which are known to be mild not too aggressive shavers. Even with a 3 pass shave you will not get as close or as long a lasting shave as with a straight. Perfectly normal from my use of the same head. It could be that the no name Israeli made blades are Personna blades and if so pretty decent blades.
The handle is not meant to come apart into 3 pieces. The parts were assembled using a press fit, I believe, and over time have loosened up to the point that they come apart. That and the crack are fairly normal for that type handle because of the assembly method and thinness of the material used in the tube section of the handle.
Bob
Keep checking that vintage shop and any area antique/consignment shops. You can routinely find excellent quality three piece razors for not much more than you spent. I even found a Gillette red tip and another superspeed for $5 bucks each once. They might just need a light cleaning. Look for some Gem and/Schick single edge razors too. I have found most of them to be phenomenal shavers.
P.S. They are all over Ebay, frequently in lots. Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tedh75
Im going to take a look at e bay now. Like I said I don't know what names to look for, but I would like a vintage, but brand new, never used one.
Thanks for all the help.
Well it didn't take long. I found this. NEW OLD STOCK 1975 English Gillette V1. Guy has 10 of em for about 13 dollars apiece
Vintage 1975 England V1 Gillette Double Edge Short Handletech Razor | eBay
Ill probably get one of these. Any thoughts.
Actually I just bought it.
I looked around and other vendors were asking $50 for the same one. Granted a 70's era blade isnt antique,..... but I was born in '75 so I think the purchase appropriate. I mean it is new and unused. So all things considered, I think I got a good deal.
I was born in '75 also. Good luck with your purchase. I hope you enjoy it!
I have two of those (well one from the USA and one from England) - looks like a good deal at that price. You could still clean up the $5 one you bought if you wanted, and use epoxy to mend the hairline crack and stick the ends of the handle in.
Hey, cool! The world has changed a lot, huh. I bet the 1990's were as good to you as they were to me. The 90s was my heyday. But now as I the months count down to my closer to my 40th bday I still am unaccustomed to the new generation, and all the weird things the media is behind.Quote:
Originally Posted by tedh75
Back in our day people still had sense. Now now I don't know what the heck is happening to our country. But it is good to see that some from our generation have discovered cultural refinements like this site caters to.
I see you are from the Finger Lakes region of NY state. I was on another forum and somebody from there told me about the Riesling wine the area was famous for. Eventually I will get around to ordering some.
Anyway, I just paid for the blade from eBay, and I am sure I will be satisfied. Can't wait to get it.
while the techs are probably more common i regularly find slim adjustables and fat boys for $10 and less in antique stores and flea markets. It's the thrill of the hunt,and the thrill of resale that i enjoy the most.
I agree that it's a Franken Razor .. while there were some Techs sold with the ball-end handle, the knurling on those extended to the end of the handle, while the older News & Old Types had the smooth band at the end like yours. A pretty complete collection of Tech's at Mr. Razor mr-razor Tech razors
One of the disadvantages of living in Thailand is that I will never find any treasures like this in local markets. Still, the weather's nice and the food isn't bad so I guess I mustn't grumble.Quote:
Originally Posted by tintin
I find the techs to be very noisy shavers, which I quite like.
