Thread: New Gillette saftety razor

I purchased a vintage Gillette safety razor at my local antique store for ten bucks. Since I know next to nothing about DE blades I purchased some "studio for men" blades made in Korea, which I'm guessing are horrible. When I first shaved with these blades I could already tell that it was better than my Gillette fusion cartridge razor. My inquiry is, is this old Gillette a decent DE razor? Or should I look into an open comb? I have heavy beard growth, and on top of that I have what I like to call "multi-directional" growth along the mild-line of my lower neck. I know that razor/blade combination is fairly unique to each person but I just wanted to get some input on the situation. Here is the DE razor i picked up, I quite like the copper brass combination.

Cheers,
Dylan


http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps23cfddb4.jpg


http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3ad1075c.jpg

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...ps50e26044.jpg

Also, any info of this razor from someone who knows the model would be greatly appreciated, also any personal preferences on the length of the barrel for people who have large hands such I do would be some great insight. The razor has worked very well for me. I've had no nicks, but I have had some very serious irritation on my neck where my "multi-directional" growth is going across the grain, I am guessing this is due to the blade though.

Looks like a 1940's Gillette fat handled Tech. Search on ebay and you'll find images. They are excellent shavers.

Thanks for the info, it does shave quite nicely. I am very pleased with it.

Nice score, I can imagine how it would look all shined up.

got the same one...fabulous shaver...get some polish and that baby will shine bright like a diamond lol

Yup, Late 30's/Early 40s Fat Handle Tech. Shaved with mine just yesterday. Great shaver.

Thanks for replies, I appreciate the input. I hit it with the polish earlier today and was happy with the shine I got from just one pass. Need to hit some areas with some 2000 grit paper though.

Dylan:
That's the Gillette Fat Handle Tech from the late '30s or the early '40s, as the other gentlemen have noted. Just about all the Gillettes were well made razors, a fine example of true American workmanship. As a shaver, I like to compare the Fat Handle Tech to today's all stainless steel Feather. Both are sweet and mild shavers. Clean up yours and enjoy the shave.

Dylan, I too picked up an old Gillette DE from an antique store recently. I got it for 10 bucks! After a little polish job it was as good as new. They are great razors IMHO, and far better made than 90% of what's coming out these days. Its something that should last more than a lifetime, who knows, you could be teaching your son to shave with it one day. I was also unsure about the one I bought when I first got it, but a little research told me exactly when it was made and what model it was, down to the quarter of the year it was made. Check out mantic59 website, I believe it's called sharpologist, where he has a page dedicated to dating older Gillette's from the markings on the underside of the head. The one I have was made in the first quarter of 1953. RENALDO.US - Gillette Razor and Blade Dating and Feature Information Hope this helps.