Used my 70s zinc-head Tech for the first time this morning, and it did very well indeed!! So that set me to looking at other Techs. One I saw is gold toned with a "fat" handle. But it appears from photos to have no logo on the top of the head. And there doesn't look to be a date code. If it doesn't have a logo, when might that one have been made? And for future reference, can one date Techs from if they have a logo and what type of logo they have? I checked Mr Razor, and can't see that kind of differentiation. Thanks, John
Another Tech Question
- Thread starter john parker
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Date codes started appearing in the early 1950's, so a Tech without a date code would have been produced sometime in the 1940's. 
They were introduced in 1938. Fat handle was first as I understand it, not sure how soon the ball end followed. A change in the slots in the head (along the safety bar) from a slight triangle shape to fully parallel with rounded ends can further date them, change occurred sometime around 1945. Next, the date code from 1951 forward (not sure if the experimental V 3 appeared in some 1950 variants on these or not).
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The slots appear to be parallel with rounded corners. I am going to guess there is no date code, but have asked the owner to check. But logos? My "zinc" 70s has "Gillette" stamped on. Understand that earlier ones were etched; maybe some with Gillette plain and maybe some with the triangle (parallagram?) around Gillette. And some without any logo. Figured that would date them, but no idea so far. Thanks, John
Unsure of the date of the change from no logo to the etched diamond/Gillette, or from that to the cast in block letter logo.
I have two Techs with triangular slots ('38-'45), no logo, no date codes. I have 3 Techs (gold plated) with etched logo's and straight slots, no date codes ('45-'50), two with etched logos and date codes of '55 and '59 and one travel Tech with the cast in block letters, beveled ends, date code of 1972.
Obviously, the etched logo began during a period of no date codes. Not sure if the etched log debuted before, after, or at the same time as the change in the slots. The change from etched logo to cast logo should be easy to pin down, as Gillettes were date coded at that time.
I have two Techs with triangular slots ('38-'45), no logo, no date codes. I have 3 Techs (gold plated) with etched logo's and straight slots, no date codes ('45-'50), two with etched logos and date codes of '55 and '59 and one travel Tech with the cast in block letters, beveled ends, date code of 1972.
Obviously, the etched logo began during a period of no date codes. Not sure if the etched log debuted before, after, or at the same time as the change in the slots. The change from etched logo to cast logo should be easy to pin down, as Gillettes were date coded at that time.
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Another wrinkle in this is that the etched logos wear off over time (or, more accurately, with the miles). I have one that's almost a watermark--you have to angle the light just right to make it out.
- Chris
- Chris
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- #7
I'll bet that is what I am seeing - or, more correctly, not seeing!! Thanks, John
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- #8
Whoa!! Looked at some more pictures, then went out to rake for a bit. Open comb and all that!! At any rate, while raking and thinking, are these "etched" logos more of a decal applied either over the plating and under the lacquer, or just over the lacquer? When I think etched, I think etched into the underlying metal. Saw one razor sans logo, but the plating looked okay - at least on ebay photos. If there had been a logo, it wouldn't have been etched in my sense.
I think they're etched into the finish only (and no lacquer on nickel plate, only gold). Engraved would be in the metal, etching can be done to the finish only if desired. It is definitely not a decal.
I have two where the laquer is starting to come off but the logo is still well intact. I keep hearing that the logo is etched in. That doesn't make sense on my gold one. Has anyone tried relaquering one of these? Not to sell it but to beautify my armada. I would never part with any of my Techs or News.
