Gillette Tech

Love mine.

I have a UK make fat-handled, a USA made (I think) gold plated ball-end and an aluminium ball-end. The fat-handled regularly gets to be on duty in the bathroom.

Ian
 
I have a couple of Techs that I never really use, not because I dislike them but because I thought that they were a bit bland and that I got a better shave from a more aggressive razor. This evening I thought I'd try something a bit different and broke out a Tech. With the benefit of a couple of years' DE experience I was rewarded with a thoroughly enjoyable and very close shave.

I was hugely impressed with the Tech, it was so easy and intuitive to use that it was an absolute joy and after three passes I had as close a shave as I get with anything else. This is definitely a razor that will be getting more use in future.

I easily do 90%+ of my DE shaving with a Tech. Many look down on it as it has little panache today for those who want the latest stainless "boutique" razors as well as many state it shaves too mildly. Like Mr. Hale, I disagree. I am reminded of one Youtube reviewer who in reviewing the Schick Krona said that many people think it's too mild as well whereas he stated that one needed to know how to shave. I concur. The Tech is indeed a wonderful razor for a beginner because it doesn't punish you drastically for an error. However, as aforementioned it is a formidable razor in the hands of someone who has their technique down pat and knows how to operate it as intended.

That said, I have measured blade gaps on damn near every Tech variety with the exception of the ultra rare "Hybrid" and they all were right at 0.025". Hence, anyone stating that a pre-war, English or Canadian model is more aggressive is wrong. BUT, IMO I do feel the post-war does indeed shave just a tiny tad smoother due to better blade rigidity and some may interpret as such to mean the pre-war shaves more aggressively. However, you really have to be paying attention during a thorough test to note it. YMMV.

Then there are different blade caps, but that's for another day. ;)
 
I easily do 90%+ of my DE shaving with a Tech.

That said, I have measured blade gaps on damn near every Tech variety with the exception of the ultra rare "Hybrid" and they all were right at 0.025". Hence, anyone stating that a pre-war, English or Canadian model is more aggressive is wrong. BUT, IMO I do feel the post-war does indeed shave just a tiny tad smoother due to better blade rigidity and some may interpret as such to mean the pre-war shaves more aggressively. However, you really have to be paying attention during a thorough test to note it. YMMV.

Then there are different blade caps, but that's for another day. ;)

Just out of curiosity which of your Tech's do you find using the most?

Of my few razors my sole Gillette Tech, a 1972 aluminium handled one seems to get the most usage.
 
To be frank, any Tech differences are subtle at best and it's hard to rule out confirmation bias and then we toss in daily variance in choice of soap/cream, blade, etc. After thinking about it I believe the choice of soap/cream & blade are far more important than Tech variation in the long run. Yes, the post-war is a frog hair more rigid, but I wouldn't sell my pre-war due to that fact.
 
Gillette Tech - better built, known performance.

I'm sure you can get a Tech for under £30. The earlier ones are heavy ... and nicer in my opinion. 1940s ... once into the 1950s, things started to lighten up. That said, don't discount anything from the '60s or '70s. The light ones are also excellent.
That's for sure. My first ever vintage razor was a 1968 aluminium Tech. Paired with something assertive like a Gillette 7 o'Clock Yellow or a Feather, it gives great shaves. The Travel Tech, though arguably gimmicky, is a great wee razor. My 1938-41 English Fat Handle Tech is a tremendous bit of kit. Slightly more efficient (aggressive) than its American counterpart, it pairs well (for me) with an Astra SP.
 
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