Thread: British vs American Aristocrat shave

For those of you who've had the opportunity to use both. Which do you find gives a better shaving experience.

Kind regards,

Originally Posted by Soopercat

For those of you who've had the opportunity to use both. Which do you find gives a better shaving experience.

Kind regards,

Hello, Soopercat:

Thanks for your post.

I don't quite understand your question: what is your definition of the British and the American "aristocrat" shave?

Perhaps a more focused question that includes your definition of these specific shaving methods might help.

Regards,

Obie

There are british made and US made versions of similar razors, the aristocrats, for the british I am guessing are the '58 and '66, #16 vs the US aristocrat, president/diplomat.

From my little experience, I find the british versions look better, but are really mild shavers compared to the US counterparts. The few people I have talked about this all agree with my comments that the UK made ones are milder shavers. Even the open comb #15, # 47 and #77/#88 are pretty mild shavers.

Bottom line, I feel the US made razors shave better than their UK counterparts, although the UK versions tend to look nicer.

Originally Posted by superbleu

There are british made and US made versions of similar razors, the aristocrats, for the british I am guessing are the '58 and '66, #16 vs the US aristocrat, president/diplomat.

From my little experience, I find the british versions look better, but are really mild shavers compared to the US counterparts. The few people I have talked about this all agree with my comments that the UK made ones are milder shavers. Even the open comb #15, # 47 and #77/#88 are pretty mild shavers.

Bottom line, I feel the US made razors shave better than their UK counterparts, although the UK versions tend to look nicer.

Hello, Superbleu:

I am familiar with the razors. I was just lost in the original question. Your explanation, however, sharpens the question's focus. Many thanks.

Regards,

Obie

I've had examples of the 15, 16, and 66 for the British made Aristocrats. I sold them to finance more straights. I still have a 1934 open comb USA, a 1947 and a 1950s model. IME the USA made are slightly more aggressive, maybe on par with a red tip super speed but the British versions were fine shavers too.

The British made are rhodium plated and have barber pole handles that are quite attractive. Some think they are better made but I don't know that I agree with that. The USA models are gold plated and the '34 was the only USA Aristocrat made with the barber pole checkering on the handle.

Generally speaking, the British Aristocrats were built to a higher standard and are more refined than their US counterparts. The pre 1950's Brits (#15, #16, #21, #22) had flat, thick base plates which made them a little more head-heavy than the later models with the thinner diamond indention base plates. For me, heavier in the head is better because the weight of the razor helps to promote the proper "no pressure" technique and will keep the blade close to the skin for better performance. As for shave quality, they are all pretty similar with the exception of the 1946-47 US Aristocrat, which I always felt was the most aggressive of any of the Aristocrats. To know which model is a 1946-47 and which is a 1948-50, the 1946-47 has the two smooth bands, and the later versions had one smooth and one knurled (see picture).

For me personally, I prefer the British Aristocrats for their better build quality, beautiful rhodium plating, and exceptional presentation cases.

Originally Posted by GoingPostal

To know which model is a 1946-47 and which is a 1948-50, the 1946-47 has the two smooth bands, and the later versions had one smooth and one knurled

I've got one of each of those pictured. Of course the '47 doesn't have the notch in the gizmo you slip the blade over. (forgotten my nomenclature) The British HD super speeds are also great DE shavers IME for whatever that is worth.

Would this one, made in the good old USA, be a 1946-47 then?
It is a great shaver, for a DE

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've got one of each of those pictured. Of course the '47 doesn't have the notch in the gizmo you slip the blade over. (forgotten my nomenclature) The British HD super speeds are also great DE shavers IME for whatever that is worth.

Correct. The notched center bars didn't show up until 1948.

HOWEVER, Gillette was famous for making some mixed parts razors because they they didn't throw anything away when they did design changes, and I have seen an Aristocrat with the handle of a 1948-50 matched to the no-notch head of a 1946-47.

Originally Posted by Otto

Would this one, made in the good old USA, be a 1946-47 then?
It is a great shaver, for a DE

Absolutely!