Review Your Razors DE Or SE Thread.
- Thread starter Vittoria
- Start Date
- Thread Starter
- #34
You could be on the money.
A lot of times designers of products and I'm sure it includes razors
take their inspiration from earlier models
With the Aristocrat what is the setting number on the fatboy with the same blade to
get a similar shave?
Cheers
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According to a quick Google it looks like the US Aristocrats until 1951 had a blade gap of 0.23" (after which it increased). The standard Fatboy on setting 5 is 0.25" (setting 4 is 0.19" and setting 6 is 0.3").
I used https://gilletteadjustable.com/misc-2/adjustable-razor-blade-gaps/ as my source. No affiliation but an interesting site.
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Interestingly that source shows the blade gap on the standard Fatboy does not increment by an equal distance for each setting.
- Thread Starter
- #37
Umm They may be basing it on that one only
never really thought about getting a set of feeler gauges and checking that sort of thing.
Cheers
- Messages
- 39
Razor Review #2
Nostalgia - Vintage Gillette British Rocket HD 500
The British Rocket HD is a mid-aggression TTO.
Often referred as the Double Ring / #59 or 500.
Sometimes the Rocket is confused with the Gillette Parat.
Very similar visually, the weights are more noticeable.
I picked this razor up a few years ago, I’m not a collector so only pickup something if I will use it and it’s a reasonable price. I paid $25 Aus.
This Rocket cleaned up easily and I gave it a light polish. The shave from my Rocket is very smooth. We don’t see many of these razors, I think the more hyped FlareTip / Slim / FatBoy keep these under the radar.
If you enjoy Vintage TTO shaves, and you see an opportunity to buy at a good price, I suggest you pick one up.
The Gillette build quality really does ensure these razors will be around long after us. For the next generations to enjoy.
Nostalgia - Vintage Gillette British Rocket HD 500
- Gillette British Rocket HD
- Date of Manufacture No date code – c1950”s
- Country of Manufacture England - UK
- Weight 71 gm
- Mechanism TTO
- Metal Brass/Copper – Nickel plated
- Legend BRIT PAT 694093 - Gillette Made in England
- Aggression Medium
- Size 84mm x 43mm
The British Rocket HD is a mid-aggression TTO.
Often referred as the Double Ring / #59 or 500.
Sometimes the Rocket is confused with the Gillette Parat.
Very similar visually, the weights are more noticeable.
- Gillette Parat 61g
- Gillette Rocket 63g
- Gillette Rocket HD 71 g
I picked this razor up a few years ago, I’m not a collector so only pickup something if I will use it and it’s a reasonable price. I paid $25 Aus.
This Rocket cleaned up easily and I gave it a light polish. The shave from my Rocket is very smooth. We don’t see many of these razors, I think the more hyped FlareTip / Slim / FatBoy keep these under the radar.
If you enjoy Vintage TTO shaves, and you see an opportunity to buy at a good price, I suggest you pick one up.
The Gillette build quality really does ensure these razors will be around long after us. For the next generations to enjoy.
- Thread Starter
- #39
Fantastic review Garry357
I was not aware of the subtle weight variations
Of the similar Gillette razors
All those specs and details is what us razor nuts
loveI love the picture as well, mate
Cheers
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- Thread Starter
- #41
I agree with that mate. Some of the handles they stick on razor heads these days getting a bit weird. There must be some people with very big hands.
What’s that saying?
Big hands big feet…..
Cheers
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- Messages
- 39
Razor Review #3
Nostalgia - Vintage Gillette 195 Adjustable – (FatBoy)
Gillette 195 Adjustable TTO.
These were manufactured between 1958 – 1962. My personal razor is the 1961 model.
The original retail price was $1.95, and this is likely where the 195 name comes from.
More commonly known as the FatBoy and one of the most recognized and sort after razors.
I would assume most Heritage Vintage razor enthusiasts own or are in search of a Gillette 195 Adjustable FatBoy.
Unfortunately, as the popularity grows so do the prices, I have owned this razor a few months however I was on the look for a long while waiting for a decent price.
I paid less than $10.00 Aus so I did get a good buy.
The razor did have a little handle drop, which is not uncommon for these and other models. It’s easy to fix handle drop and re-crimp the securing ring, taking care not to mark the handle knurling.
The FatBoy is also very easy to dismantle, making this a good candidate for replating and cleaning.
The razor has nine settings to achieve your personal shaving comfort. Setting 1 to 9, with 1 being the mildest and 9 the heaviest.
My setting is 5-6. 5 as a daily and 6 if I have 48 hr growth.
The Gillette quality again shines through with this model.
Originally variations
I you have time, please write about your razors, and what they mean to you.
Nostalgia - Vintage Gillette 195 Adjustable – (FatBoy)
- Gillette 195 Adjustable
- Date of Manufacture G1 1961 1st ¼
- Country of Manufacture USA
- Weight 79gm
- Mechanism TTO
- Metal Brass/Copper – Nickel plated
- Legend Base Plate Made in USA – REG US PAT OFF – GI
- Legend Internal PAT NOS. ON PKG
- Aggression Adjustable
- Size 87mm x mm
Gillette 195 Adjustable TTO.
These were manufactured between 1958 – 1962. My personal razor is the 1961 model.
The original retail price was $1.95, and this is likely where the 195 name comes from.
More commonly known as the FatBoy and one of the most recognized and sort after razors.
I would assume most Heritage Vintage razor enthusiasts own or are in search of a Gillette 195 Adjustable FatBoy.
Unfortunately, as the popularity grows so do the prices, I have owned this razor a few months however I was on the look for a long while waiting for a decent price.
I paid less than $10.00 Aus so I did get a good buy.
The razor did have a little handle drop, which is not uncommon for these and other models. It’s easy to fix handle drop and re-crimp the securing ring, taking care not to mark the handle knurling.
The FatBoy is also very easy to dismantle, making this a good candidate for replating and cleaning.
The razor has nine settings to achieve your personal shaving comfort. Setting 1 to 9, with 1 being the mildest and 9 the heaviest.
My setting is 5-6. 5 as a daily and 6 if I have 48 hr growth.
The Gillette quality again shines through with this model.
Originally variations
- Standard
- Standard - Bottom Dial
- Standard - Red Dot
- Executive 22 Carat Gold Plated original price $5.00
- The executive did have different knurling to the original standard.
I you have time, please write about your razors, and what they mean to you.
My all-time favourite razor and the one I use the most is the vintage Ever Ready Pat. 1912 which uses SE Gem blades (Gem by Personna from Connaught). It's just so easy to use and gives a very smooth efficient shave. Put the head flat against the skin and shave, It's that simple. They are sometimes sold at excessive prices - right now there is one on Etsy for £85 - but one in reasonable condition is likely to be in the region of £15 - £20 on ebay, I've found that there is nearly always a tiny smudge just below the hole for the spring in the head but it doesn't affect the quality of the shave. I easily get 8 shaves per blade and with a dispenser of 10 blades for £2.88p is a steal.
My other favourite is the vintage Gillette Tech No. 24. With the aluminium handle and aluminium bottom plate it is perhaps too small and light for some people. Excellent shave for which the Gillette Tech is renowned. For me it works best with Gillette Platinum or Dorco Titan blades. Around £20.
Lastly, the Baili BD/BR 176 which is a Gillette Tech clone. For me just a bit more agressive thsn the Tech and again for me works best with Gillette Platinum or Dorco Titan blades. Around £10 on Amazon UK.
We should consider whether the Gillette Platinum blade is Gillette's default blade and whether the Dorco Titan blade is an accurate copy of it. For me both are equivalent in shave quality.
My other favourite is the vintage Gillette Tech No. 24. With the aluminium handle and aluminium bottom plate it is perhaps too small and light for some people. Excellent shave for which the Gillette Tech is renowned. For me it works best with Gillette Platinum or Dorco Titan blades. Around £20.
Lastly, the Baili BD/BR 176 which is a Gillette Tech clone. For me just a bit more agressive thsn the Tech and again for me works best with Gillette Platinum or Dorco Titan blades. Around £10 on Amazon UK.
We should consider whether the Gillette Platinum blade is Gillette's default blade and whether the Dorco Titan blade is an accurate copy of it. For me both are equivalent in shave quality.
- Messages
- 39
Do you have any photos of you razors, interested to see the Ever Ready Pat 1912.
Here you go, Ever Ready Patent 1912. As you can see I have two. The tiny smudge I referred to can be seen in the top razor. I've also included a dispenser of Gem by Personna blades,
- Thread Starter
- #46
Great review Garry357 and your pic really sets the tone of a bygone era
I had know idea about the different in head shape thanks for the info mate
You did very well I think to get the Slim and fatboy at a bargain price.
Cheers
- Thread Starter
- #47
Review : 3
British Fat Handle Tech Circa : early 1940s
Three piece razor bright nickel plated brass.
Blade fitted for the shave : Vidyut Super-Max Platinum(India)
The fat handled tech was patented in 1939 with only a short production run. (I don't know if WW2 was the reason)
In 1932 Gillette hired a mechanical engineer by the name of Herbert H. Grunman.
He was only 24 years old and fresh out of a small technical college in Boston.
His main job was to modernize and over time improve Gillette's manufacturing processes.
From what I have read things at Gillette may have been a lot different with out this young bloke.
What a dashing young man. (Pic 6)
I have only recently purchase this razor and was surprized by the difference in the design and weight.
When compared the the US version .
The handle is shorter than the US model but only very slight. (see pic3) the British tech is on the right.
The part above the knurling separated by a ring is longer.
The base of the handle the British version appears to be more rounded.
The base plates on the two models are quite different in design to. (see pics)
4 British base plate
5 US base plate
With the US version weighing 47 grams and the British 51 grams
The nickel plating on the tech is first class on this one if I hadn't of checked I would think it was steel.
The shave in my opinion was very good with the super-max platinum blade.
I applied no pressure as I normally do when shaving.
The razor felt nice and balanced in the hand easily giving me a smooth shave in two passes.
Considering this Gillette was made in the early 1940s I'd say....
"Its a fine example of their is nothing new under the sun really"
Cheers
British Fat Handle Tech Circa : early 1940s
Three piece razor bright nickel plated brass.
Blade fitted for the shave : Vidyut Super-Max Platinum(India)
The fat handled tech was patented in 1939 with only a short production run. (I don't know if WW2 was the reason)
In 1932 Gillette hired a mechanical engineer by the name of Herbert H. Grunman.
He was only 24 years old and fresh out of a small technical college in Boston.
His main job was to modernize and over time improve Gillette's manufacturing processes.
From what I have read things at Gillette may have been a lot different with out this young bloke.
What a dashing young man. (Pic 6)
I have only recently purchase this razor and was surprized by the difference in the design and weight.
When compared the the US version .
The handle is shorter than the US model but only very slight. (see pic3) the British tech is on the right.
The part above the knurling separated by a ring is longer.
The base of the handle the British version appears to be more rounded.
The base plates on the two models are quite different in design to. (see pics)
4 British base plate
5 US base plate
With the US version weighing 47 grams and the British 51 grams
The nickel plating on the tech is first class on this one if I hadn't of checked I would think it was steel.
The shave in my opinion was very good with the super-max platinum blade.
I applied no pressure as I normally do when shaving.
The razor felt nice and balanced in the hand easily giving me a smooth shave in two passes.
Considering this Gillette was made in the early 1940s I'd say....
"Its a fine example of their is nothing new under the sun really"
Cheers
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- Thread Starter
- #48
All the shaving room members
Let’s whip this thread along.
I know you like hearing about peoples favourite double edge or single edge razors
Hey if you have a straight razor, you can give a review of that here too. All are welcome.
Or even do reviews on your collection and what you love most about it
Feel free to show your favourite brush with your razor. I myself only have a few, but I know some of you have a good stash of brushes.
Cheers to all
Let’s whip this thread along.
I know you like hearing about peoples favourite double edge or single edge razors
Hey if you have a straight razor, you can give a review of that here too. All are welcome.
Or even do reviews on your collection and what you love most about it
Feel free to show your favourite brush with your razor. I myself only have a few, but I know some of you have a good stash of brushes.
Cheers to all
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