Cleaning out my Grandfather's place and found this:

So, I've been helping to clean out my Granddad's place and found this in one of his bathroom cupboards:

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Looks to me to be a late '40s Rocket based on the 'Patent pending' and 'Made in England' stamps on the base along with the solid knob.
My mum says she remembers him using it whenever his electric razor broke down.
There was a pack of Wilks with it that look a lot more recent.

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The TTO mechanism still works and, overall, it looks pretty good. The TTO is a little bit stiff and there is some corrosion on the post, however.

I could have a go at restoring it myself, but, do any Aussies out there know of anyone who restores/cleans/re-plates safety razors in or around Melbourne, or indeed, in Oz?

You are now the lucky owner of something that many here can only wish they had and that is a Heritage Razor!:y

Before you start looking at having it replated, try using some simple metal polish with a soft rag and a soft tooth brush then wash well with soap and water to see what you have.

Then I'd place it with the 'bomber bay doors' open and let it drain and dry. Then put a good squirt of WD40 down the shaft and again let it drain. I'd repeat the WD40 a time or two.

You should have a very nice looking and smooth operating Heirloom.

Good Score Mate! :tu

Yeah, that should scrub up nice and those blades will probably be ok too. They are a good solid razor.

Rockets are great shavers. One of the more sought after of the Gillette TTO family. To have one that belonged to your grandfather is wonderful. When I was really into acquiring old Gillette TTOs the usual routine was to give it a going over with Scrubbing Bubbles, then rinse it well and insert it in a container of mineral oil overnight.

This would lubricate the mechanism for smooth operation. For really grunged up soap scum situations I've read of guys boiling them, but never done it myself. If you had access to an ultrasonic cleaner that would probably clean the guts and help the mineral oil do its magic. :gl:

Nice,, Really Nice,,,,,,,,,,Ty

Thanks for the advice, guys!

I gave the Rocket and its case a good few goings over with dish detergent and a toothbrush, let it drain, did a very gentle spot cleaning job with Autosol Shine and then soaked it in mineral oil overnight. After that, I've been squirting oil down the post hole and shifting the mechanism back and forth, letting it drain in between.

Now, I've got a nice clean razor with a smooth gliding TTO mechanism. Very happy with the results:

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:tu great job!!! Now you've brought that family heirloom back into working order

Nice find, glad you got it working, next time just soak in hot soapy water over night or for a couple days, changing the water often, a squirt of Dawn dish soap in the water, works wonders.

What happens is, the soap cakes up in the handle and dries, can soap is notorious. So, you have to get the soap to dissolve. Time and hot water are the trick.

I have opened them up and the entire handle is filled, rock solid with soap.

The trick, patients and not to force the mechanism and strip something.

As said the British, Rocket is said to be the best shaver of The Super Speeds, order up some blades. Nice that you have the case, most did not survive.

Nice job finding that vintage Gillette and getting it working again. :) Had I been older when my grandfather passed, I would not have allowed my dad to clear out his collection of razor strops and straight razors. I suppose pops had no idea I would eventually go old school with shaving.