1960 Gillette Tech vs Baili BD176 Shave Off

[Umma2gumma]

I've been shaving with my newly acquired (and very first) 1960 Gillette Tech for three days now, and decided it was finally the time to compare it with Baili BD176. It's a very mild yet efficient razor that is clearly based on the postwar Tech, it's often compared to it, and it's the first razor I thought of when I first used the Tech.

So, here it is... morning stubble (I shave daily), the same Feather blade on its 3rd use (which I typically find the best), the same lightweight Muehle handle (I absolutely do not like the ball end handle that Tech came with). Three passes and cleanup with Gillette on the left side of the face, three passes and cleanup with Baili on the right.

The results were somewhat predictable.

Both razors are indeed very close.

Tech:

• Smoother
• Extremely forgiving. The most forgiving razor I ever used, and I'd classify most of my razors as forgiving. I think even the most lackluster, basic technique with little care will still produce an irritation free shave.
• Requires more cleanup work to get BBS.
• Rather sensitive to shave angle (I read that early 1960s Techs had the least shaving angle range)

Baili

• More efficient, requires less work to get BBS
• Less sensitive to the shaving angle
• Needs a little more careful attention to technique if you want to avoid any skin tenderness afterwards. Still hard to get any real skin irritation if you have the basic skill.

Gillette on the left, Baili on the right. You can see the difference in blade gaps.

Again, Gillette on the left, Baili on the right. I think Gillette has very slightly more blade exposure, although it's not very obvious from these photos.

So, the jury is still out... the two razors are very close, and the almost-guaranteed care-free nature of Gillette may well be worth the extra 2-4 minutes spent shaving. (Although I can see how shaving with it can lead to bad habits when using other razors).

 

[DesertIguana]

1960’s Gillette Tech is sort of young, mine is PRE WW-2.

 

[Umma2gumma]

It’s 1960 (F1), so a little less “young” and probably closer to the late 1950s. Not sure if it makes any difference in “post war” oval slotted Techs.

I have what I assumed is the “New Long Comb” on order but it may be in a different category altogether.

I’d say if I find a Tech that’s just a tad more efficient while maintaining the same level of forgiveness, it could well be a daily driver for ever.

Or just get more efficient with this one. I paid $16 for it (which came to $21 after shipping and tax), it looked like it only had a few blemishes. After a good cleaning, all of them are gone and it looks practically new. I don’t think I can easily get another one in this condition for that kind of money nowadays…

 

[profusion]

I think I need to get a Tech.

 

[Umma2gumma]

I think I need to get a Tech.

It’s definitely worth trying. On the eBay, $22 give or take, after shipping and tax, is very doable right now.

 

[ivan_101]

It’s 1960 (F1), so a little less “young” and probably closer to the late 1950s. Not sure if it makes any difference in “post war” oval slotted Techs.

I have what I assumed is the “New Long Comb” on order but it may be in a different category altogether.

I’d say if I find a Tech that’s just a tad more efficient while maintaining the same level of forgiveness, it could well be a daily driver for ever.

Or just get more efficient with this one. I paid $16 for it (which came to $21 after shipping and tax), it looked like it only had a few blemishes. After a good cleaning, all of them are gone and it looks practically new. I don’t think I can easily get another one in this condition for that kind of money nowadays…

You Tech head has been manufactured from the late 40s until 1961. It doesn't matter if it is a 1960, 1949 or 1955. That particular head doesn't have differences through the period.

 

[Umma2gumma]

You Tech head has been manufactured from the late 40s until 1961. It doesn't matter if it is a 1960, 1949 or 1955. That particular head doesn't have differences through the period.

Thanks. So how would post-1961 ones compare in terms of shaving experience, blade angle sensitivity etc ?

 

[ivan_101]

The ones after 1961 are a different design. Yours clamps a big part of the blade. The later ones only clamp a small part close to the edge. A tad more chatter than yours. Blade angle sensitivity is the same. You need to dial the angle exactly. Otherwise it would be very hard to get very close shaves. If you are accustomed to razors that allow for a wide angle range, my advice would be to stay away form the Techs.

 

[Frito Ray]

Thank you for doing this comparison and including great pictures.

View attachment 1798295 View attachment 1798296

I have beard that grows in the nostril seam and use the corner of the blade to get to it. I have no problems using Baili’s older Tech clone, the 131 the one that leaves the blade tabs exposed.

This new fashion of widening the razors to cover up the blade tabs also lengthens the comb and makes the corners of the blade much more difficult/impossible to access. If manufacturers want to coverup blade tabs then they should design the razor with “u” shaped ends that taper down to the length of the original comb.

I’ve cut myself twice with the blade end tabs while using my first DE (Feather Popular) about a dozen or so years ago. Never since.

I really dislike this new design trend.

 

[Umma2gumma]

Well you wouldn’t like that Tech either because it covers most of the tabs.

 

[Umma2gumma]

The ones after 1961 are a different design. Yours clamps a big part of the blade. The later ones only clamp a small part close to the edge. A tad more chatter than yours. Blade angle sensitivity is the same. You need to dial the angle exactly. Otherwise it would be very hard to get very close shaves. If you are accustomed to razors that allow for a wide angle range, my advice would be to stay away form the Techs.

Well it’s more fun to learn and use them right.

 

[gpjoe]

I think I need to get a Tech.

Everybody needs at least one.

 

[Frito Ray]

Well you wouldn’t like that Tech either because it covers most of the tabs.

Perhaps. All I know is that the 3/16” difference in comb length between the two I have on hand is hugely noticeable.


Sorry, I don’t want to derail your thread.

 

[Alum Ladd]

You Tech head has been manufactured from the late 40s until 1961. It doesn't matter if it is a 1960, 1949 or 1955. That particular head doesn't have differences through the period.

Certainly for the U.S made heads. There are variations in blade gap in other foreign made heads of the period though, just to inform @Umma2gumma, as they were made in what, at least half a dozen other countries. The English and German models are particularly noteworthy in this. There may be others. The ones mentioned are often somewhat more efficient by Tech standards. Later Techs of the 70's and 80's seem to have higher efficiency also. The angle question is a constant though.

Would you agree with some of that @ivan_101?

Thanks. So how would post-1961 ones compare in terms of shaving experience, blade angle sensitivity etc ?

To get a better perspective on the wider Tech family and often quirky, rich variety, go international and broaden time frames of models. The 49 - 61 US heads I believe were .022" but the Tech gap range can go up to 0.30" I believe. You can specialise in Tech's and be quite happy.

It's a well-respected collecting niche.

 

[gpjoe]

It’s 1960 (F1), so a little less “young” and probably closer to the late 1950s. Not sure if it makes any difference in “post war” oval slotted Techs.

I have what I assumed is the “New Long Comb” on order but it may be in a different category altogether.

I’d say if I find a Tech that’s just a tad more efficient while maintaining the same level of forgiveness, it could well be a daily driver for ever.

Or just get more efficient with this one. I paid $16 for it (which came to $21 after shipping and tax), it looked like it only had a few blemishes. After a good cleaning, all of them are gone and it looks practically new. I don’t think I can easily get another one in this condition for that kind of money nowadays…

You found a very nice post-war Tech at a good price. It looks near new.

The New long comb is also a nice razor, and has been a very forgiving open-comb razor for me. I prefer mild-ish razors, and the only open-comb razors that I still own are all vintage Gillette, including the New (long and short comb), Old Type, and Goodwill.

You may also want to consider a pre-war Tech, which are considered a bit more efficient and still well behaved. The pre-war Tech is one of my favorites, probably my favorite vintage razor.

 

[Umma2gumma]

Yeah, a pre-war Tech is on my list.

 

[Umma2gumma]

Certainly for the U.S made heads. There are variations in blade gap in other foreign made heads of the period though, just to inform @Umma2gumma, as they were made in what, at least half a dozen other countries. The English and German models are particularly noteworthy in this. There may be others. The ones mentioned are often somewhat more efficient by Tech standards. Later Techs of the 70's and 80's seem to have higher efficiency also. The angle question is a constant though.

Would you agree with some of that @ivan_101?

To get a better perspective on the wider Tech family and often quirky, rich variety, go international and broaden time frames of models. The 49 - 61 US heads I believe were .022" but the Tech gap range can go up to 0.30" I believe. You can specialise in Tech's and be quite happy.

It's a well-respected collecting niche.

I’m pondering that route.

 

[ivan_101]

Certainly for the U.S made heads. There are variations in blade gap in other foreign made heads of the period though, just to inform @Umma2gumma, as they were made in what, at least half a dozen other countries. The English and German models are particularly noteworthy in this.

I am afraid you didn't get what I wrote.
"That particular head" means the heads with "that" bottom plate. Known most often as the '50s style'. Whether they are made in the US, England, Germany of France they are the same. Have all 4 countries. 2 German ones, 1 French, at least 10 of the English ones and 10 of the US. The English ones have a variant with the plate made of aluminium, but even that one has the same gap and exposure.

Later Techs of the 70's and 80's seem to have higher efficiency also.

Don't know where you read these things.
It is the other way round. The 70s and 80s are milder than the 60s.
It is the Super-Speeds that have more exposure and gap in the 70s-80s compared to the 60s.

 

[Umma2gumma]

Perhaps. All I know is that the 3/16” difference in comb length between the two I have on hand is hugely noticeable.


Sorry, I don’t want to derail your thread.

lol no problem it’s not “my” thread, just a conversation. Your comment is relevant.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Would you agree with some of that @ivan_101?

I am afraid you didn't get what I wrote.
"That particular head" means the heads with "that" bottom plate. Known most often as the '50s style'. Whether they are made in the US, England, Germany of France they are the same. Have all 4 countries. 2 German ones, 1 French, at least 10 of the English ones and 10 of the US. The English ones have a variant with the plate made of aluminium, but even that one has the same gap and exposure.

Don't know where you read these things.
It is the other way round. The 70s and 80s are milder than the 60s.
It is the Super-Speeds that have more exposure and gap in the 70s-80s compared to the 60s.

So that's a "No" then.