British Popular found it's cousin

[Jake]

Or its sibling...

I had restored the black nickel & rhodium-plated British Popular a number of months ago -- see this link for my story. And then I found a perfect case for it. And ultimately located its gold & rhodium plated cousin -- also called the Popular -- in its original case. Strange that they are called "Popular" and are so hard to find. But well worth the effort. Beautiful, classy, well-balanced, open comb design, similar in its head design to the #16 or #15. The gold-plated one has a handle that is slightly larger in diameter than the black nickel-plated razor.

The serial numbers area also different: 430-030 on the gold razor, 400-621 is the black nickel one. I know there's still another variant, but I'm happy with these 2.

Beautiful examples of British workmanship. What a well-preserved set!

 

[bakerbarber]

Wow that's dope!!

Crazy NICE!

 

[akokandy]

Wow. Those are gorgeous.

 

[Perkus]

Wow!

Really handsome couple.

)
Perkus

 

[ShavinBacon]

I lurked on this site for almost 2 years before recently signing up and I always admired Jakes collection (and got upset when he sold sweet razors that i couldn't buy because I was not a member ). How do you get such beautiful razors? Friends in the mafia? Time machine? Enquiring minds want to know. These are amazing as are all of your British razors. i love the British Gillettes!

 

[Jake]

I agree -- the British Gillettes from the 1930s through the 1950s are my favorites. So well made and classy.

Some of mine have come from other members here on B&B -- like the black nickel one, some from Ebay -- like many of us -- and some from my British or French friends who have been keeping an eye out for me. They know of my interest and fascination of the classic Gillettes, so I am often the happy recipient of their discoveries.

It does feel like we should have a time machine to go back & purchase these at the original prices. But since that's not possible, research and the hunt for the real deal. I will try to get a couple in-focus shots to post soon. Sorry for the blurriness -- it was windy here today.

 

[Dustinl]

As always Jake, you score some beautiful razors! Very nice!


DL

 

[poonjaji]

As always Jake, you score some beautiful razors! Very nice!

+1 These two-tone Populars are exceptional! I do not think I have ever asked this, Jake, but do you have a display case at home? If so, have we seen it posted on B&B? I am sure it is a wonder to behold.

 

[Lando]

+1 These two-tone Populars are exceptional! I do not think I have ever asked this, Jake, but do you have a display case at home? If so, have we seen it posted on B&B? I am sure it is a wonder to behold.

I vote yes!

 

[drewmac]

I hate you...

 

[BBchew]

Beautiful

 

[ezmike]

Jake,

They are beautiful! I am constantly amazed by the number of razors you come across.

Mike

 

[Den]

I always wanted to try an OC TTO. I hope when I score one it's as beautiful as those.

 

[sam o'reilly]

One thing that puts me off gold razors, is the steel blade never seems to look quite right. Your gold popular seems to solve that problem. I want one.

 

[Jake]

Had a chance to take a few more photos of these beauties. Sun is shining again in New England and I got a great little Gorilla Pod to take photos in hard to position places. Like in a well-lit location in the winter -- out of doors.

So my new year's card to my B&B associates--Popular razors in all their beauty... Happy 2011!

 

[lungho]

Absolutely stunning!

 

[cernel_joson]

These early British Gillettes are beautiful. They're jewelry you can actually use.

 

[Jake]

Yes, theoretically they can be used -- if you dare.

So hard to imagine adding the grunge from shaving soap and trimmed whiskers into those pristine jewels... Perhaps that's part of the reason many of these British beauties are found in such mint condition -- their owners never dared turn them into pedestrian shaving instruments. But they are fine shavers and I have tried them out.