As you know, the Brits had a decent amount of flexibility with the design of their Gillette models -- using easy access to rhodium and their incredibly skillful craftsmanship to design some of the most beautiful and functional DE razors ever made. The manufacture of the TTO open comb razors began in the early 1930s, but I've found the British models to be both more beautiful than their American cousins -- and maintained (or survived) in much better condition than the American models.
The Brits rarely used gold plating, but were much more partial to silver, rhodium, and nickel. Hard to tell them apart -- unless there were advertisements printed (that we can now locate) describing their plating. Although there is a distinct difference among these different plating metals, and the Popular seems to definitely be nickel-plated. Although there are models of the Popular that are rhodium, gold, or even black nickel plated.
The cases range from Bakelite to nickel, and this nickel plated Popular seems to always be delivered in the nickel case. But the knurling is the twist here. The twist-to-open knob has a different knurling design from the barrel, or from others of this designed handle. Re-using parts from other Populars is most likely the cause of this oddity. And don't we love these idiosyncrasies?
Even got the instructions -- as though I couldn't figure out to use it.
Nickel plating -- shines like it could be rhodium. But it's nickel -- or so it seems.
A really beautiful 74-year old guy. Hope we all age as gracefully -- without blemishes -- as this classy guy did.
The Brits rarely used gold plating, but were much more partial to silver, rhodium, and nickel. Hard to tell them apart -- unless there were advertisements printed (that we can now locate) describing their plating. Although there is a distinct difference among these different plating metals, and the Popular seems to definitely be nickel-plated. Although there are models of the Popular that are rhodium, gold, or even black nickel plated.
The cases range from Bakelite to nickel, and this nickel plated Popular seems to always be delivered in the nickel case. But the knurling is the twist here. The twist-to-open knob has a different knurling design from the barrel, or from others of this designed handle. Re-using parts from other Populars is most likely the cause of this oddity. And don't we love these idiosyncrasies?
Even got the instructions -- as though I couldn't figure out to use it.
Nickel plating -- shines like it could be rhodium. But it's nickel -- or so it seems.
A really beautiful 74-year old guy. Hope we all age as gracefully -- without blemishes -- as this classy guy did.
Oh my, that is a beautiful razor. I don't know if I'll be able to resist the pull of these...
