1960 Gillette Tech vs Baili BD176 Shave Off

[Umma2gumma]

I am afraid you didn't get what I wrote.
"That particular head" means the heads with "that" bottom plate. Known most often as the '50s style'. Whether they are made in the US, England, Germany of France they are the same. Have all 4 countries. 2 German ones, 1 French, at least 10 of the English ones and 10 of the US. The English ones have a variant with the plate made of aluminium, but even that one has the same gap and exposure.


Don't know where you read these things.
It is the other way round. The 70s and 80s are milder than the 60s.
It is the Super-Speeds that have more exposure and gap in the 70s-80s compared to the 60s.

Interesting. I also bought a 1971 Super 109, which I only used once before becoming fascinated by that Tech (I like shiny things…) I need to use it more.

 

[Alum Ladd]

The 50s and the 70s Tech have a significant difference. The cap on the 50s clamps 80-90% of the blade surface, making the blade very rigid. But the exposure is a tiny bit less than on the 70s. On the 70s clamping is only at the cap ends, so not as rigid, but exposure is just a hair more. So with the 70s you might get a closer shave. But you might not. The difference is not that big. The 50s rigidness makes it easier for me to get cuts, if I am careless.
Mind you, some users won't tell a difference at all.

I read these things from you, dear Ivan, expert that you are in the strange universe of the Tech, as in many other fields, which I respect and trust.

However I mis-remembered. You referred to a very minor (and to some users imperceptable) increase in blade exposure. I recalled it, hurridly typing, as gap.

 

[Umma2gumma]

You found a very nice post-war Tech at a good price. It looks near new.

The New long comb is also a nice razor, and has been a very forgiving open-comb razor for me. I prefer mild-ish razors, and the only open-comb razors that I still own are all vintage Gillette, including the New (long and short comb), Old Type, and Goodwill.

You may also want to consider a pre-war Tech, which are considered a bit more efficient and still well behaved. The pre-war Tech is one of my favorites, probably my favorite vintage razor.

Do you know whether a cap from a post-war Tech can be used with a base plate from a pre-war ? This could make it easier to find one.

 

[gpjoe]

Do you know whether a cap from a post-war Tech can be used with a base plate from a pre-war ? This could make it easier to find one.

I'm not certain. I've only swapped handles unless the razor (any razor) was designed to swap plates. It might fit, but may result in something entirely different than intended.

I just checked the auction site and there is a pre-war head with the wrong handle (a ball-end) opening at 3 bucks, with no current bids. There are plenty of others, and some deals if you are diligent.

Of course, you could post a Want To Buy thread here, in the BST forum. You will very likely get a better razor at a better price.

 

[nemo]

I'll go with the original Gillette Tech.

Known most often as the '50s style'. Whether they are made in the US, England, Germany of France they are the same. Have all 4 countries. 2 German ones, 1 French, at least 10 of the English ones and 10 of the US. The English ones have a variant with the plate made of aluminium, but even that one has the same gap and exposure.

My '53 German aluminum base plate is certainly quite different. (No.34)

 

[Umma2gumma]

So, nearly eight hours after the shave, both sides of my face feel the same - both the skin sensation and the amount of new stubble.

I’d say both are excellent mild yet capable razors, which - given BD176’s easy availability and low price - is a testament to Baili doing a great job with their design (the base plates are clearly very different, so it’s not just a copy).

 

[ivan_101]

I'll go with the original Gillette Tech.


My '53 German aluminum base plate is certainly quite different. (No.34)

Yes, those have the big slots in the plate and the cap bars are quite protruding. They are rare. I don't think that type has been made in other coutries.

 

[BigJ]

Certainly for the U.S made heads. There are variations in blade gap in other foreign made heads of the period though, just to inform @Umma2gumma, as they were made in what, at least half a dozen other countries. The English and German models are particularly noteworthy in this. There may be others. The ones mentioned are often somewhat more efficient by Tech standards. Later Techs of the 70's and 80's seem to have higher efficiency also. The angle question is a constant though.

Would you agree with some of that @ivan_101?

To get a better perspective on the wider Tech family and often quirky, rich variety, go international and broaden time frames of models. The 49 - 61 US heads I believe were .022" but the Tech gap range can go up to 0.30" I believe. You can specialise in Tech's and be quite happy.

It's a well-respected collecting niche.

+1! ‘You can specialize in Tech’s and be quite happy.’ Yes indeed!!

 

[Juanmosey]

I have a 1961 Tech and I don't need to say how it shaves. I recently bought a Parker 63C and the shave was garbage.