Item Description
What - no reviews of the Bulldog yet? Note: I didn't take a picture of the razor I used. Here is a link to a good example. Credits to brumble for this B&B post and picture:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1004283&postcount=11
I had the pleasure of using a Gillette Bulldog that was sent to me by a B&B member to borrow. I have used a lot of different razors (Merkur 38C, Vision, New Standard, Tuckaway, SS Red tip, 40's SS, 50's SS flaretip, Tech, NEW, British NEW, Rocket HD, FatBoy, Slim, Schick Injectors) but this was the first Old Style head that I had ever used.
This razor is a magnificent beauty, demonstrating craftsmanship from a bygone era that simply can't be purchased in a new product today. If you like vintage razors this is is a must have to collect or to try shaving with. These don't come up very often on B&B BST or Ebay so expect to wait and pay good money if you see one listed. Or you could get lucky and score one on the cheap at an antique store or estate sale. Happy hunting!
I found that this razor was more difficult for me to get used to than any other razor I have used to date. Some razors I have tried for the first time I find just work for me with little or no learning curve. Others have taken me a few shaves to get used to. After a week and a half I still feel I am getting used to this razor and haven't mastered it yet. I suspect that the head geometry of the Old Style Gillettes is different enough and the angle is very different from what I am used to.
Because I had trouble getting the angle right I used very delicate strokes. One of the nice things about this razor is you get a very loud, distinct sound when you are shaving the whiskers off. It's louder than most other razors I've used with the exception of the Merkur Vision which flat out sings when removing stubble. I like that kind of auditory feedback in a razor so I consider this a plus.
Back to the shave: When you get the angle right the shave is great. Even though I had trouble with the angle I was doing my usual three pass shave plus touch up and getting great BBS shaves. I still get a few nicks when I use this and with my regular-rotation razors that doesn't happen.
Some of my rating justifications:
Discussion thread for this review.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1004283&postcount=11
I had the pleasure of using a Gillette Bulldog that was sent to me by a B&B member to borrow. I have used a lot of different razors (Merkur 38C, Vision, New Standard, Tuckaway, SS Red tip, 40's SS, 50's SS flaretip, Tech, NEW, British NEW, Rocket HD, FatBoy, Slim, Schick Injectors) but this was the first Old Style head that I had ever used.
This razor is a magnificent beauty, demonstrating craftsmanship from a bygone era that simply can't be purchased in a new product today. If you like vintage razors this is is a must have to collect or to try shaving with. These don't come up very often on B&B BST or Ebay so expect to wait and pay good money if you see one listed. Or you could get lucky and score one on the cheap at an antique store or estate sale. Happy hunting!
I found that this razor was more difficult for me to get used to than any other razor I have used to date. Some razors I have tried for the first time I find just work for me with little or no learning curve. Others have taken me a few shaves to get used to. After a week and a half I still feel I am getting used to this razor and haven't mastered it yet. I suspect that the head geometry of the Old Style Gillettes is different enough and the angle is very different from what I am used to.
Because I had trouble getting the angle right I used very delicate strokes. One of the nice things about this razor is you get a very loud, distinct sound when you are shaving the whiskers off. It's louder than most other razors I've used with the exception of the Merkur Vision which flat out sings when removing stubble. I like that kind of auditory feedback in a razor so I consider this a plus.
Back to the shave: When you get the angle right the shave is great. Even though I had trouble with the angle I was doing my usual three pass shave plus touch up and getting great BBS shaves. I still get a few nicks when I use this and with my regular-rotation razors that doesn't happen.
Some of my rating justifications:
- Price: I went with a low number here. These are scarce and expensive.
- Quality: This represents some of the finest razor craftsmanship you can buy.
- User Friendly: I had problems with the angle so I went a bit lower here.
- Grip: This classic barber pole knurling provides excellent grip. The handle diameter is also larger than most razors (i.e. like SuperSpeed) which also facilitates grip.
- Ease of blade replacement: As with all three piece razors, blade replacement is pretty easy. Only thing easier is TTO.
- Aggressiveness: I would rate this more aggressive than the Gillette NEW. Probably closer to the New Improved.
- Adjust-ability: Not adjustable so I just went with an average number
- Balance: I like the balance of this razor. Nice and heavy at the head. Still a beefy body but again more weight at the head.
Discussion thread for this review.
