Canadian Old and English New?

[razors_ej]

I picked up what I believe to be a Canadian Gillette Old and an English Gillette New on the weekend. Neither have any date information on them. Interestingly, the English New has a hollow handle, no end cap. Wonder if it was made like this or if something has fallen off?

What exactly did I buy?

The Gillette New(?):



More photos to come.

 

[razors_ej]

More photos of the English Gillette New(?):







Photos of the Made in Canada Gillette Old(?):

 

[razors_ej]

More Photos of the Made in Canada Gillete Old(?):




Shows the curviture of the base plate:

 

[Jeff_H]

Yes, standard Old Type razor and what we call a round pin English New. The English new likely had a ball end on it, which has obviously fallen off. Almost any handle from any razor will fit it. I use a Weber Classic a Cadet handle and another Weber handle with all of my old and NEW heads. The OEM handles are too small, thin and light for me.

Just clean them up and they will be fine. By far, the English NEW should give you the smoothest, most comfortable shave of the two. The Old Type will shave well too, it's just a stiffer, different blade feel to the face. However, anyone who likes open comb razors owes it to themselves to master shaving with an Old Type. They will give very good shaves when handled properly.

I have the exact same English NEW coming to me. It should be here tomorrow. I think you will be very pleased with that one. Let us know what you think of the shave and please post pics once you clean them up.

 

[coonskinner]

When I mind my P's and Q's and do everything just right, my old type gives me the closest shave of any razor I own.

It doesn't seem to have much margin for error though.

I almost never cut myself but I can get serious irritation with it.

 

[Jeff_H]

When I mind my P's and Q's and do everything just right, my old type gives me the closest shave of any razor I own.

It doesn't seem to have much margin for error though.

I almost never cut myself but I can get serious irritation with it.

I've found the same thing coonskinner. The Old Type just demands attention to detail and concentration. The blade feels stiff to me, so you really have to focus on your angle and pressure. But it does yield a fantastic shave.

 

[xillion]

That particular English New handle came hollow from the factory. I have several of those handles and they are all hollow.

It's a great shaver, enjoy.

Image by Mr. Razor


My bakelite British New Set and British Service set came with the same handle.

 

[Jeff_H]

See, there is something that I didn't know about the NEW's. So, that handle was always hollow, with an opening in the end? Very interesting. At any rate, it is going to be a great shaving razor I believe.

 

[razors_ej]

Thanks guys, I'll post some new pics once I've cleaned them up. That new looks like it's been buried or something, seems to have mud stuck between the teeth in quite a few places!

It has a lot of brassing on the head unfortunately, maybe a candidate for a replate along with my New/Tech hybrid.

Was the old meant to be plated, or was it just made from brass and unplated?

 

[Teppanyaki]

I have a hollow handle like that as well. A nice handle. I like the look better than the usual bar or ball ends. Very nice NEW! I'm not as big of a fan of the Old Types, but they do shave nicely as well.

 

[alex2363]

See, there is something that I didn't know about the NEW's. So, that handle was always hollow, with an opening in the end? Very interesting. At any rate, it is going to be a great shaving razor I believe.

Yes, like this one.http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-know-what-this-Open-Comb-English-gillette-is

 

[Jeff_H]

The Old Type was meant to be plated. I believe quite often it was plated in Silver. I have one plated in silver. I'm not sure what metals were used when it wasn't silver. Nickel or Chrome I would imagine....with nickel being the leading candidate, at least in my opinion. It seems the vast majority were silver as I see the baking soda and hot water method listed quite often when asking how to clean up Old Types....and this treatment only works on silver.

Regardless, if you decide to get it replated, you should choose whatever metal you like best. Rhodium is my favorite.