Dear friends, I’ve recently bought a T2 Brazilian monotech with some plating issues but great mechanical condition and it shaves like a dream, so smooth.
This week I’ve received another one, no date code, stamped only “3” on the right under side. That’s the first time I’ve seen this. Number only, any info on that?
Moving on, first shave with the new one today and I quickly noticed it felt more aggressive, louder feedback. Ok, weird.
Intrigued by it as it’s the same model, I spent more than 10 minutes trying to spot a difference and suddenly it was there, right in front of me.
I noticed that the beaten up T2 has a slightly different safety bar design and angle. The “3” stamped model has a more squared higher angle where the bar meets the door making the bar more recessed, therefore increasing both the gap and exposure (I’ve checked with a blade installed also).
The T2’s bar protrudes shallower from the bar, making it more forward, less gap and exposure, again, checked with a blade installed.
Brazilian Gillettes are a kind of mystery since we don’t know if the date codes matches the US ones and the head design used is unknown. 40s style? 50s? Flare? Another one?
The biggest “aha!” moment was this:
I decided to pick my RED tip from the drawer and when I put the “3” side by side with it I was surprised to see that the heads are exactly the same. Then I loaded a blade and they were an exact match regarding gap and exposure.
What?? Have I discovered a Brazilian monotech with a red tip head? Apparently yes. And I remembered instantly that they have the same shave feel.
That leaves me with another question, what is the head style on the T2? That remains a mystery.
Since I don’t have a US 50s style I would assume it could be it, but that would require another purchase that will probably happen.
Enough talk. I’ve tried my best with the pictures. Sorry but I’m not a pro.
T2 on the right. “3” on the left. Notice the angle on the safety bar’s junction where it meets the door/cap.
Again, notice how it angles down steeper (right after the door edge)
Now the milder T2.
One more
And now for the closure. The more aggressive “3” with my red tip.
Notice how similar the safety bar’s angle and design are. Same head from what I can see.
I hope this adds some more info to the great Gillette head variations discussion.
Alex.
This week I’ve received another one, no date code, stamped only “3” on the right under side. That’s the first time I’ve seen this. Number only, any info on that?
Moving on, first shave with the new one today and I quickly noticed it felt more aggressive, louder feedback. Ok, weird.
Intrigued by it as it’s the same model, I spent more than 10 minutes trying to spot a difference and suddenly it was there, right in front of me.
I noticed that the beaten up T2 has a slightly different safety bar design and angle. The “3” stamped model has a more squared higher angle where the bar meets the door making the bar more recessed, therefore increasing both the gap and exposure (I’ve checked with a blade installed also).
The T2’s bar protrudes shallower from the bar, making it more forward, less gap and exposure, again, checked with a blade installed.
Brazilian Gillettes are a kind of mystery since we don’t know if the date codes matches the US ones and the head design used is unknown. 40s style? 50s? Flare? Another one?
The biggest “aha!” moment was this:
I decided to pick my RED tip from the drawer and when I put the “3” side by side with it I was surprised to see that the heads are exactly the same. Then I loaded a blade and they were an exact match regarding gap and exposure.
What?? Have I discovered a Brazilian monotech with a red tip head? Apparently yes. And I remembered instantly that they have the same shave feel.
That leaves me with another question, what is the head style on the T2? That remains a mystery.
Since I don’t have a US 50s style I would assume it could be it, but that would require another purchase that will probably happen.
Enough talk. I’ve tried my best with the pictures. Sorry but I’m not a pro.
T2 on the right. “3” on the left. Notice the angle on the safety bar’s junction where it meets the door/cap.
Again, notice how it angles down steeper (right after the door edge)
Now the milder T2.
One more
And now for the closure. The more aggressive “3” with my red tip.
Notice how similar the safety bar’s angle and design are. Same head from what I can see.
I hope this adds some more info to the great Gillette head variations discussion.
Alex.