New Deluxe

[Hannah's Dad]

I recently acquired a 1930 New Deluxe (sans case with a serial number), and took it for a spin this morning. It was quite aggressive, with lots of blade feel. But, it also gave me a really, really close shave. It’s 10 hours post-shave and I am still smooth! It reminds me of the Muhle R41, except that it is heavier and classier.

What I find really interesting is that it looks really similar in design to the Hybrid Tech, and the Hybrid Tech is probably the smoothest and least aggressive shaver I’ve used. I realize that the blade exposure determines ‘aggression’, but it is still interesting that two really similar-looking razors can be at opposite ends of the aggression scale.

I had previously shaved with a New Improved — but sold it. This Deluxe is probably not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s well-balanced, a pleasure to use and to hold and is a sturdy addition to my den.

 

[tonich]

NEW Deluxe is a huge upgrade over NI.
Back in the day when Gillette really were improving the quality and functionality of those tools.
Happy shaving!

 

[Hannah's Dad]

NEW Deluxe is a huge upgrade over NI.
Back in the day when Gillette really were improving the quality and functionality of those tools.
Happy shaving!

Thanks, Andon!

 

[jmudrick]

I recently acquired a New Deluxe (sans case), and took it for a spin this morning. It was quite aggressive, with lots of blade feel. But, it also gave me a really, really close shave. It’s 10 hours post-shave and I am still smooth! It reminds me of the Muhle R41, except that it is heavier and classier.

What I find really interesting is that it looks really similar in design to the Hybrid Tech, and the Hybrid Tech is probably the smoothest and least aggressive shaver I’ve used. I realize that the blade exposure determines ‘aggression’, but it is still interesting that two really similar-looking razors can be at opposite ends of the aggression scale.

I had previously shaved with a New Improved — but sold it. This Deluxe is probably not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s well-balanced, a pleasure to use and to hold and is a sturdy addition to my den.

Well you're right, ND, LC, and your Tech all share the same basic geometry, but the photo certainly appears to show the Tech to have larger guardspan and therefore less exposure.

In terms of geometry, the change from NI to ND was done primarily to reduce stress on the blade which had caused breakage problems with the New Improved. I prefer the shave from the earlier razor myself.

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[Hannah's Dad]

Well you're right, ND, LC, and your Tech all share the same basic geometry, but the photo certainly appears to show the Tech to have larger guardspan and therefore less exposure.

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Keen observation!

 

[romsitsa]

They are the same, except the edge of the comb, Rfbs are rounded, De luxes are more square, like a NI.
A safety bar is always smoother than a comb. Imho the most effective and smoothest razor I’ve ever owned is the thin cap Swing, if it would have a comb it would be way more aggressive.

Adam

 

[Hannah's Dad]

They are the same, exept the edge of the comb, Rfbs are rounded, De luxes are more square, like a NI.
A safety bar is always smoother than a comb. Imho the most effective razor I’ve ever owned is the thin cap Swing, if it would have a comb, it would be the most aggressive razor, with a bar, it’s the smoothest one.

Adam

Good input, Adam.

 

[jmudrick]

They are the same, except the edge of the comb, Rfbs are rounded, De luxes are more square, like a NI.
A safety bar is always smoother than a comb. Imho the most effective and smoothest razor I’ve ever owned is the thin cap Swing, if it would have a comb it would be way more aggressive.

Adam

Hmm . Don't have a Hybrid Tech but i measure a full 5mm difference in the width of the Flat Bottom Tech guard vs my New Deluxe, ie 2.5mm each side, which sure looks consistent with the apparent difference in guardspan in the OP photo.

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[Graydog]

Dan is it the 15mm or the 17mm ?
And there is one that has a bigger hole in the center too.

 

[Hannah's Dad]

Dan is it the 15mm or the 17mm ?
And there is one that has a bigger hole in the center too. View attachment 973823 View attachment 973824

Steve, mine is a 17mm, and was probably from a Criterion set.

 

[tonich]

All the fixed head NEW deluxe are 17 mm.

Dan, could be Belmont too

 

[Hannah's Dad]

All the fixed head NEW deluxe are 17 mm.

Dan, could be Belmont too

Are those the only 2 possibilities, Andon?

 

[tonich]

This is the third one, Dan:

 

[Hannah's Dad]

This is the third one, Dan:

Thanks, Andon. You’re a scholar and a gentleman.

 

[bobmsp]

Just jumping in to say that the ND is my favorite Gillette for the reasons you stated in the OP. I have used a hybrid Tech and enjoyed the shave but I've gotten much better results from the ND.

I picked up my #77/88 RFB this week for the first time in a long time. Very smooth shaves, but a little milder than I remember. I'll be using my ND Norfolk Tuckaway razor next week and am looking forward to the comparison.

Question for those in the know: I had always thought that there was a difference between the 15 mm and the 17 mm base plates, but recent conversations suggest that the real difference is not in the base plates but in the caps that accompanied them. Which is it - the cap or the plate?

Thanks.

 

[jmudrick]

Just jumping in to say that the ND is my favorite Gillette for the reasons you stated in the OP. I have used a hybrid Tech and enjoyed the shave but I've gotten much better results from the ND.

I picked up my #77/88 RFB this week for the first time in a long time. Very smooth shaves, but a little milder than I remember. I'll be using my ND Norfolk Tuckaway razor next week and am looking forward to the comparison.

Question for those in the know: I had always thought that there was a difference between the 15 mm and the 17 mm base plates, but recent conversations suggest that the real difference is not in the base plates but in the caps that accompanied them. Which is it - the cap or the plate?

Thanks.

What is reported is that the difference in the plate has no effect on blade geometry, a difference in the caps would.

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[Graydog]

Where is Edgar, He had a great affection for the NEW De Luxe.

 

[ajkel64]

Very nice razor, thanks for sharing. Plus with all the input from other members I am learning some valuable information.

 

[rabidus]

What I find really interesting is that it looks really similar in design to the Hybrid Tech, and the Hybrid Tech is probably the smoothest and least aggressive shaver I’ve used. I realize that the blade exposure determines ‘aggression’, but it is still interesting that two really similar-looking razors can be at opposite ends of the aggression scale.

Put the hybrid Tech cap on the Deluxe baseplate, it should make it milder yet still efficient.

 

[rabidus]

Where is Edgar, He had a great affection for the NEW De Luxe.

He lives on!

Gillette NEW Deluxe - 15mm vs 17mm, which one do you prefer?