'61 (G-3) gold Gillette Slim adjustable... I think.

[Sir]

I was hoping for any input you guys might have on this razor. It took a while to figure out what model, as I've never messed with vintage safety razors before. (crappy) pics are below.
This belonged to my grandfather, it was pretty mucked up until I cleaned it up with brasso and toothpaste (all I had on hand- and it worked great). I'm not 100% sure it's a Slim adjustable, so if I'm wrong I blame it on being a vintage noob. the only "serial" type of code is G 3 stamped underneath (see pics). Once opened, it says "patent nos. on pkg" on the inside which doesn't help any.

Also, for those of you who have used these adjustables, what's your preferred setting? 1 seems like it wouldn't shave much if at all, and 9 seems like it would be a bit too aggressive to me. I have yet to try it out, but I can't wait. It seems like a good sturdy razor. One thing I notice is the massive weight on the head of it compared to others..

So, is my assumption correct on the model? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Pics:

Dating code.

Opened.

 

[alex2363]

welcome to B&B ... 3rd quarter 1961 slim Aristocrat, nice....Try to use Scrubbing Bubbles@ and tooth brush and lightly clean it. I use setting 5 all the time, but many have their own preferences on settings. #1 is least aggressive then it progresses to 9 which is the most aggressive setting.

 

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

"'61 (G-3) gold Gillette Slim adjustable... I think."

Big Congrats and welcome aboard!
http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Adjustable/1961 (G3) Aristocrat british Set.JPG

 

[alex2363]

"'61 (G-3) gold Gillette Slim adjustable... I think."

Big Congrats and welcome aboard!
http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Adjustable/1961 (G3) Aristocrat british Set.JPG

No, if its gold its a Aristocrat....your right

 

[BBrad]

Congrats, Sir, and welcome to B&B.

The gold-plated version of the Slim was called the Slim Aristocrat, and is my #1 favorite Gillette Adjustable. It is a solid, well-built tool that will give you many more years of great shaves. Like Alex, I use mine on 5. I started on 3 and kept it there until I got consistently good shaves before trying different settings. I just went up one notch each shave until I got a bad one (irritation, not cuts) then went back down . . . that's how I became a 5!

Sounds like you got lucky and dodged a bullet with your cleanup, however. Brasso is very harsh, and can remove gold plating. Alex's recommendation of Scrubbing Bubbles and toothbrush is right on. Gold plating does not tarnish and only needs cleaning. Sometimes a mild polish is needed to remove embedded dirt, and toothpaste is very safe. I use Dawn dish soap in a hot water soak, followed by scrubbing with a toothbrush and a final shot of Scrubbing Bubbles to get any lingering soap scum and kill cooties with its antibacterial formula.

Again, welcome to B&B . . . enjoy your shaves!

 

[Sir]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm glad I know what model it is for sure now, thanks for your help. I shaved with it this morning, and I gotta say it's really smooth. It irritated my neck a bit on 5, may dial it down for that area. Definitely a keeper.

I'm going to get some scrubbing bubbles today and give it a good wash up. Are there any specific polishers I should use/stay away from?

 

[Snargle]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm glad I know what model it is for sure now, thanks for your help. I shaved with it this morning, and I gotta say it's really smooth. It irritated my neck a bit on 5, may dial it down for that area. Definitely a keeper.

I'm going to get some scrubbing bubbles today and give it a good wash up. Are there any specific polishers I should use/stay away from?

Congratulations on the nice razor and welcome to B & B.

As far as polishes go, stick with BBrad's advice above and don't use anything stronger than toothpaste. Polishes work by grinding away a small layer of the metal, removing the scratches, and restoring a shiny finish. The gold plating on razors is extremely thin and any abrasive polish may remove more of the plating than you want.

 

[Chester]

Welcome!
I shaved with my slim aristocrat this morning, in fact.
Great razor that shaves beautifully!
-- Chet

 

[alex2363]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm glad I know what model it is for sure now, thanks for your help. I shaved with it this morning, and I gotta say it's really smooth. It irritated my neck a bit on 5, may dial it down for that area. Definitely a keeper.

I'm going to get some scrubbing bubbles today and give it a good wash up. Are there any specific polishers I should use/stay away from?

Just buy MAAS from Walmart , thats best one on market

 

[eizan70]

I'm going to get some scrubbing bubbles today and give it a good wash up. Are there any specific polishers I should use/stay away from?

Just make sure you get the regular can of spray foam and not the spray bottle with bleach. I have read some other threads where members have mistakenly used the wrong variety to have less than pleasant results.

Welcome!
I shaved with my slim aristocrat this morning, in fact.
Great razor that shaves beautifully!
-- Chet

+1 Great shaving razor.

 

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

No, if its gold its a Aristocrat....your right

What's the old adage ? "I thought I made a mistake one time, but I was wrong"
Heck, I put a link to a British set(may or may not be from British set ? )...hehe At least it was gold plated...Bwahaha
Maybe two wrongs make a right...........?
Don't catch you dozing very often bud..you are a walking razor encyclopedia...

 

[BBrad]

. . . I'm going to get some scrubbing bubbles today and give it a good wash up. Are there any specific polishers I should use/stay away from?

Simichrome, MAAS, and Flitz are all fairly mild and will not harm the razor if used gently and sparingly.

Starting in the 1930s, gold-plated Gillette razors were coated with lacquer to help keep the gold from wearing off. Over time, lacquer tends to discolor (in this case, it gets an orange cast) and wear thin. Some polishes and solvents will remove the protective lacquer; this can be good if the lacquer is ugly, bad if it is not! Once the lacquer is removed, the gold will start wearing quickly unless the razor is re-lacquered.

Polish gently, and stay away from Brasso, bleach, alcohol, paint and lacquer thinners, and mineral spirits. Only use the Scrubbing Bubbles for a quick spray and five-minute soak. Rinse immediately if you see any sign of lacquer dissolving. (SB has been known to soften some lacquers.)

In the end, the best thing for a gold-plated razor is hot water, dish soap, old toothbrush . . . lather, rinse, repeat!

 

[RedRocks]

I have an L-3 (1966) Aristocrat. Very nice razor. I start out with a Super Iridium & set the dial to 3. After 3~4 shaves I start going up on the dial. By the time I crank it up to 7~8, I've probably got nearly that many shaves & tells me it's time to change blades. Enjoy!

~Frank

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard, sweet Aristocrat!

 

[Sir]

I have an L-3 (1966) Aristocrat. Very nice razor. I start out with a Super Iridium & set the dial to 3. After 3~4 shaves I start going up on the dial. By the time I crank it up to 7~8, I've probably got nearly that many shaves & tells me it's time to change blades. Enjoy!

~Frank

Sounds like a good idea, dialing it up as the blade wears down. I'll keep that in mind!


Used scrubbing bubbles on it yesterday and did another go with toothpaste. I think it cleaned up well.

 

[BBrad]

Looks good, Mr. Sir!!

 

[Sir]

Looks good, Mr. Sir!!

Thanks!

And a big thanks to everyone who replied. This place is awesome.