British vs American

[imatabor]

No I'm not talking about any sport.
I've been doing a lot of reading and it is undisputed that the British razors are built much better than their american counter parts. Why?

 

[hdjj00]

In Gillette's case, the British razors have, for the most part, more attractive designs when it comes to the knurling, the blade compartments, and the solid knobs on the TTO's (which contributed to their heavier weights). Also several British models included rhodium finishes.

 

[Super Speed 1953]

In Gillette's case, the British razors have, for the most part, more attractive designs when it comes to the knurling, the blade compartments, and the solid knobs on the TTO's (which contributed to their heavier weights). Also several British models included rhodium finishes.

And....No endcaps to fall off and smoother action while opening.

 

[Bostrin]

Also, through the #16 Gillette, machined base plates, razors were heavier than the ones w/stamped plates (both US and later British, starting w/#22)

 

[imatabor]

But why? Do the Brits have higher standards or did they have more money? It seems that it would have been cheaper for Gillette to just have one line instead of different lines on each side of the pond.

 

[Vivasanti]

wasn't there a story that in ww2 the Gillette factory in the US shut up shop and transfered most of there production to the UK using superior materials?

 

[hdjj00]

wasn't there a story that in ww2 the Gillette factory in the US shut up shop and transfered most of there production to the UK using superior materials?

That sounds interesting! Hopefully a resident B&B historian will chime in with some information.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

I would think that it has to do with the British being a more refined/cultured society than the USA for most of that century. I would think Gillette was appealing to that. It's not just Gillette. The Ever-Ready Streamlines/GEM Jewels were probably the best SE razors ever made in design and quality. They are all "British Made" and meant only for the British and their holdings. Just a thought I had.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

Could be that at that time American industry was more geared up to mass production than that in the UK or elsewhere in Europe, so designs differed a bit to speed up the manufacturing process. Certainly worked for the US economy, but maybe resulted in some corners being cut here and there?

 

[alex2363]

No I'm not talking about any sport.
I've been doing a lot of reading and it is undisputed that the British razors are built much better than their american counter parts. Why?

This is a very good question. I am sure that there are many answers and theories to your inquiry. I propose that the English may have higher standards and more access to materials that enhanced the patent protected Gillette razors. The English tweaked and improved on many razor designs but they still were within Gillette patent design so it was not an issue. They made some minor alterations to many of the razors and many users prefer the English Gillette made razors. The Rhodium plating is one of those tweaks that we all love. The British Empire had control of South Africa where an abundant of Rhodium was mined. This made it easy for the Rhodium plating I'm sure.

The fancy cases, the overall class and aristocratic nuance captivate us all. The overall quality control and tweaks that were within the patents made the English made Gillette razors a sweet and gratifying shaving instrument.