Thread: Razor Shopping

Dubbin64:
Antique stores are hit or miss: you can either end up with a good DE razor or a piece of junk. If I may suggest, to be sure, why not buy a new Edwin Jagger or Merkur double edge razor and get a good start with your DE shaving? Eventually, once you know your way around the DE world, you can explore antique stores and flea markets and land some beauties. Either way, good luck.

Another vote for the classic Gillettes here, great razors and you can find them for pretty reasonable prices. With a little care and maintenance they will last a lifetime (or more!) Happy shaving!

Originally Posted by Obie

Dubbin64:
Antique stores are hit or miss: you can either end up with a good DE razor or a piece of junk. If I may suggest, to be sure, why not buy a new Edwin Jagger or Merkur double edge razor and get a good start with your DE shaving? Eventually, once you know your way around the DE world, you can explore antique stores and flea markets and land some beauties. Either way, good luck.

Dear OP,

This man, Obie, knows his chit. He steered me toward the EJ barley chrome, and I love it. Derby Extra blades give me and wonderful shave. Last few shaves, I've been trying the croma diamant blades. Very comfortabe, but not as close a shave as the Derby's. The great thing is, I still have a bunch of other blades to try! Man, I love this hobby.

Alright after A LOT of research on my part and about 5 antique stores (me and my girl made a day of it) I found my first DE.

It's a mild "old faithful", a Gillette Tech, its a Gold finish ball-end slim knurled handle, Im not sure which year exactly but it is in the original packaging, with some of the original blades. Don't know much more about it but I know a lot of folks regard it as a great starter and a very mild but great shave, and Im only 18 so this will be great on my thin whiskers.
I looked at a bunch of other razors that were either un-usable or were far over priced. This one is very usable, and vintage, and was very inexpensive, I think the perfect buy on my first go round!

Here are some pictures

Originally Posted by dubbin64

Alright after A LOT of research on my part and about 5 antique stores (me and my girl made a day of it) I found my first DE.

It's a mild "old faithful", a Gillette Tech, its a Gold finish ball-end slim knurled handle, Im not sure which year exactly but it is in the original packaging, with some of the original blades. Don't know much more about it but I know a lot of folks regard it as a great starter and a very mild but great shave, and Im only 18 so this will be great on my thin whiskers.
I looked at a bunch of other razors that were either un-usable or were far over priced. This one is very usable, and vintage, and was very inexpensive, I think the perfect buy on my first go round!

Here are some pictures

Edit:
Alright I did even more research and found my particular razor just postwar between 1946-1949. Anyone with any more info on how to narrow the date down further would be greatly appreciated!

Here's a couple of links. See if there is serial number on the bottom. BTW:You probably know this, but the blades don't age well and could be harmful; better to use new blades
Enjoy--it looks great. Also you might like to check YouTube for mantic59's how to videos. He's got good ones about using DE's.

Gillette Date Codes for Safety Razors and Blades

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

Originally Posted by dubbin64

my particular razor just postwar between 1946-1949. Anyone with any more info on how to narrow the date down further would be greatly appreciated!

The 1940s Gold Tech was also my first DE razor -- and one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, Gillette did not use any date coding or serial numbers at that time in their history.

If you spend any time on this forum you will often see the advice to try an assortment of blades with any given razor. The reason is because a member will find that while one brand of blade gives him a very comfortable shave with one particular razor, a different razor in his rotation will require a different brand of blade to achieve maximum level of comfort. This is because there are structural differences from one brand/model of razor to another and proprietary differences in the manufacture of the various brands of DE blades.

It's all a matter of discovering which combination of blade + razor gives you the "best" shave -- in your judgment. And of course, that evaluation is subjective to each individual member. That's why you won't find any "use this blade with that razor" recommendation anywhere (that I know of, anyway).

About the blades that came with your razor. Keep them as a collectible -- since they came in the original box. Because they are so old, corrosion will have destroyed the sharp edge. And blade manufacturing technology of that period could not compete with today's blades. Get some new blades and enjoy your shave!

Thanks so much for the info guys! From I have used my patience and waited to shave with this razor until my sampler of blades comes in the mail.
No Wal-mart or 60 year old carbon steel blades on my precious face just yet.

I know this blade are junk as far as use goes, but they are very cool, especially since their original to the razor, and I have kept them in the package in a safe spot.

Also I was pretty spot on with the guess of 46-49 but i need do some more inspection and research before I can say for sure the exact year. Until then its time for a straight shave! Will report back with how my first DE shave goes.

The cheap Wilkinson-Sword blades from Walmart are tolerable in a pinch. I've found that my local Sally Beauty Supply has Personna (blue) blades for only a couple cents more so I use those from time to time as well.

Originally Posted by Obie

Dubbin64:
Antique stores are hit or miss: you can either end up with a good DE razor or a piece of junk. If I may suggest, to be sure, why not buy a new Edwin Jagger or Merkur double edge razor and get a good start with your DE shaving? Eventually, once you know your way around the DE world, you can explore antique stores and flea markets and land some beauties. Either way, good luck.

Listen to Obie on this guys...he's right on the money. I just bought my first DE ,an Edwin Jagger. I use it for those days when I don't have time for a straight shave but need one or in between honing my straights. A new DE is just as good as a vintage without all the headache of hunting and searching etc.