Ok, this is not some newly discovered historical unobtainum.
I’ve been on an Aristocrat kick the last 2-3 months. I can blame @bobmsp, who graciously loaned me a few English Aristocrats and a Popular a few months back.
I’ve since got a #15, and #19.
I’d always wanted to try a 1934 Aristocrat. After all, it’s the first Gillette TTO. And gorgeous. I’ve now got a couple very nice 1934’s. Somewhere along the line I ran across pictures of a museum piece. An absolutely perfect 1934, with all tags and shipper’s. I saved the following tag picture.
On the face of it, loosening up a TTO just sounds dead wrong! Blasphemous! Dangerous! Recipe for disaster!
But there it is. An official Gillette recommendation to do exactly that.
Now I do like the shave from a 1934, but I generally like razors that are moderately aggressive. In other words, a bit more aggressive than the stock 1934.
In true Badger and Blade Crash Test Dummy fashion, I had to give it a try.
Amazing. It actually works! Now there’s a couple things to keep in mind. The knob will loosen as you shave.
My first try, I probably opened it a 1/2 turn. Within a minute or so, it went from “gee, that’s close to a New Deluxe”, to “Oh my! A Cuban shavette is less aggressive!”
(Cuban shavette: Take an Old Type, toss the baseplate. Put blade between handle and cap. Shave VERY carefully)
By the time I got to my neck, doors were about 1/4 Open. Over the top.
I’ve actually continued to play with this for a few more shaves. Works best with handle snugged closed, then backed open about 1/4 turn. About 4 times during a shave, I stop, snug the handle, then open it 1/4 turn. A little fiddley, but it works.
So yes Virginia, there is a 1934 Aristocrat adjustable!
And FYI, the Old Type is also an adjustable.
I’ve been on an Aristocrat kick the last 2-3 months. I can blame @bobmsp, who graciously loaned me a few English Aristocrats and a Popular a few months back.
I’ve since got a #15, and #19.
I’d always wanted to try a 1934 Aristocrat. After all, it’s the first Gillette TTO. And gorgeous. I’ve now got a couple very nice 1934’s. Somewhere along the line I ran across pictures of a museum piece. An absolutely perfect 1934, with all tags and shipper’s. I saved the following tag picture.
On the face of it, loosening up a TTO just sounds dead wrong! Blasphemous! Dangerous! Recipe for disaster!
But there it is. An official Gillette recommendation to do exactly that.
Now I do like the shave from a 1934, but I generally like razors that are moderately aggressive. In other words, a bit more aggressive than the stock 1934.
In true Badger and Blade Crash Test Dummy fashion, I had to give it a try.
Amazing. It actually works! Now there’s a couple things to keep in mind. The knob will loosen as you shave.
My first try, I probably opened it a 1/2 turn. Within a minute or so, it went from “gee, that’s close to a New Deluxe”, to “Oh my! A Cuban shavette is less aggressive!”
(Cuban shavette: Take an Old Type, toss the baseplate. Put blade between handle and cap. Shave VERY carefully)
By the time I got to my neck, doors were about 1/4 Open. Over the top.
I’ve actually continued to play with this for a few more shaves. Works best with handle snugged closed, then backed open about 1/4 turn. About 4 times during a shave, I stop, snug the handle, then open it 1/4 turn. A little fiddley, but it works.
So yes Virginia, there is a 1934 Aristocrat adjustable!
And FYI, the Old Type is also an adjustable.
