Thread: Cleaned 'em up, trying to guess...

yeah the tto is 48-50, no date code + notched bar, also notched/lined blade tray. To me the 3 piece looks like an old type too.

I dont think you'll be able to narrow either down to an exact year.

Your SS should be a great shaver, I've never used an old type, iirc they require blade shims to new the new/current DE blades, blades back then were thicker..

Originally Posted by MadAussie

I've never used an old type, iirc they require blade shims to new the new/current DE blades, blades back then were thicker..

I've shaved with old types many times with modern blades, no shim, and got stellar results. I cannot remember the exact difference but I measured an old type blade along with a modern blade and the difference was negligible.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I've shaved with old types many times with modern blades, no shim, and got stellar results. I cannot remember the exact difference but I measured an old type blade along with a modern blade and the difference was negligible.

Yeah, I used the old type first; it has a small crack in the handle that I hear is common with them (you can see it in the bottom photo, just below the screw head and into the knurling a bit), but it holds the blade good and tight...on this one at least. I think I read somewhere that you could put a paper clip or something on top of the new style blades to take up the slack, but this one shaved just fine without it. At least according to what little I know about them.

I've only seen pictures of the old type, rounded end blades. Maybe the shim would make it a little less aggressive?

From what little I've read, the open comb ones are a bit more aggressive anyway than the newer safety bar ones.

I believe the 3-piece old type is a 1920s Gillette Debutante. I just pick up one looks identical to this one.

FS: Gillette Debutante - Badger & Blade

Mine has the same crack on the handle.

hopper