I found the Baili 131 base plate is flat like the pre and post war Tech. My 56' Tech has a rounded base plate. In use, I found the 56' Tech felt better and shaved closer than the pre and post war Tech. The Baili 131 also gave me a great smooth shave very comparable to the 56' Tech. The Baili 171 did not work as well for me. I tried handles and blades to no avail. I agree, the 171 felt scratchy and did not shave as close, required more passes and buffing. YMMV but for me, the 56' Tech is a great razor and the Baili 131 is almost its equal. I want to try the Black Tiger and will order one soon.
The Tech Clone Wars
- Thread starter never-stop-learning
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- #362
The 131 feels harsher, to me. More blade feel? Could be.
Cutting angles? The 131 probably has a wider cutting angle. Doesn't mean that any of them work on my face as well as the original vintage Techs from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
My previously stated opinion: One has to master the 'Tech Technique' to get smooth, consistent, irritation free results from the Tech.
YMMV
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- #363
Your 171 looks like my 131???
Yes, just look at the photos. Not saying that they are identical, but it’s closer to 131 than 176.
I didn't claim the Bailis were better, you know, just trying to observe some of the differences. I like my pre-war Tech although I only use it on "mild shave" days.The 131 feels harsher, to me. More blade feel? Could be.
Cutting angles? The 131 probably has a wider cutting angle. Doesn't mean that any of them work on my face as well as the original vintage Techs from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
My previously stated opinion: One has to master the 'Tech Technique' to get smooth, consistent, irritation free results from the Tech.
YMMV
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- #366
Apologies if that came across as 'snarky' in any way. Not my intent.
I struggled to put my thoughts of the 131/Replitech/Sumatra/etc. into form. They look like a Tech, they just don't shave like one.
YMMV
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- #367
I see GSC has the Black Tiger in stock but it looks like it now has a gun metal or black chrome finish. In the pics it looks shiny. Is that how they normally look or did they change?
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- #369
The Black Tigers currently on the GSC website are designated as "new". Not sure what that means?
The shiny appearance in the pic is from the flash and my inability to take a decent pic with a phone.
Give me my Nikon F2 and Kodachrome 25 any day.
The Black Tigers currently on the GSC website are designated as "new". Not sure what that means?
The shiny appearance in the pic is from the flash and my inability to take a decent pic with a phone.
Give me my Nikon F2 and Kodachrome 25 any day.
Thanks. I was referring to the pics on the GSC web site, sorry I was not clear. So yours do not have a shiny finish? Are they that much different than the Baili 131? Looks like the new Black Tiger has a new higher price.
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- #371
The Black Tiger is different than the Baili BR131. The SB is angled differently and the lather slots are sized and positioned differently.
Minor differences, to be sure, but enough that I prefer the 'original' Black Tiger over the BD131.
Can't comment on the 'new' Black Tiger until I get one and shave with it.
YMMV
My Yingjili seems to be a decent, mild shaver and it holds the blade rigidly. I got a few from China for 2 bucks each. It does seem to have more blade exposure than most Tech's I have in my collection. But I haven't directly compared them.
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- #373
I shaved with the YingJili earlier in this thread and compared it to other Clones, the original Black Tiger and vintage Techs.
Can't beat 'em for the money but I do not think they shave as well as a vintage Tech (on my face, in my hands, etc, etc).
This is very much a YMMV area.
What's the best new Tech clone, in your opinion, so far?
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- #375
The original Black Tiger. Again, not sure what (if anything) got changed on the 'new' Black Tiger.
In my opinion, though, I'd still shell out a few extra dollars and get any of the genuine Gillette Techs from the 1930s, 1940s and up to the mid-1950s.
YMMV
In my opinion, though, I'd still shell out a few extra dollars and get any of the genuine Gillette Techs from the 1930s, 1940s and up to the mid-1950s.
YMMV
The 131 feels harsher, to me. More blade feel? Could be.
Cutting angles? The 131 probably has a wider cutting angle. Doesn't mean that any of them work on my face as well as the original vintage Techs from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
My previously stated opinion: One has to master the 'Tech Technique' to get smooth, consistent, irritation free results from the Tech.
YMMV
What is the Tech technique?
My NEW SC works well with no pressure and a steep angle.
Today is Schaffmilch Sunday and I will use this razor again today.
My version, FWIW:
*Use a very sharp blade, such as a Feather or similar.
*Find the correct angle, the Tech only has very narrow effective angle and you have to stay in it, or nothing will get cut.
*Short, smooth strokes with minimal pressure
That works for me. Thanks!
I use short strokes using the Gillette slide.
The rest is blade angle.
Starting to look for a vintage tech or flat bottom.
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- #380
@Atlantic59 has got this pegged!
Take the time to prep your face and build a proper lather.
Keep your face hydrated and lathered for the main passes and touch-up.
Use a sharp blade. I favor Kai, Personna Israeli Platinum Red, Personna Med Prep, Feather, etc.
I would start with the handle perpendicular to your face and then pivot it down until you just feel the blade and the guard. It will be a shallow angle, riding mostly the cap.
**Take note because that is going to be very close to the correct angle.
Use little to no pressure. The goal is to reduce the stubble with each pass. Pressure is your enemy and leads to irritation. When buffing, take care to NOT use pressure.
Short strokes are good.
Patience is your friend.
YMMV
You have great taste in Techs!!
Thank you, @BigJ - high praise indeed.
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