Damn Comfortable Shave

[Guido75]

Jim,

I have a PhD, but understanding all the intricacies of Gillette razors is over my head for sure!

Alternative names would be just English Tech or perhaps even 7 o’clock Tech as I wouldn’t be surprised if this design was brought into the Gillette stable through acquisition. The NEW Flat Bottom it’s definitely also available in a 7 o’clock version. Otherwise you could always go for EFBT for short if you want to avoid taking about bottoms all the time - I can’t fathom why not, but that’s just me

Cheers,

Guido

 

[never-stop-learning]

Jim,

I have a PhD, but understanding all the intricacies of Gillette razors is over my head for sure!

Alternative names would be just English Tech or perhaps even 7 o’clock Tech as I wouldn’t be surprised if this design was brought into the Gillette stable through acquisition. The NEW Flat Bottom it’s definitely also available in a 7 o’clock version. Otherwise you could always go for EFBT for short if you want to avoid taking about bottoms all the time - I can’t fathom why not, but that’s just me

Cheers,

Guido

 

[Phoenixkh]

The EFBT does come in either Fat or Thin handles, just to confuse things a bit more.

 

[Cal]

The EFBT does come in either Fat or Thin handles, just to confuse things a bit more.

The FBT comes with more handles than just the fat and thin.

For example, here's my 1945 No26 Set (two piece handle):

One could spend hours poring over mr-razor's 1938... The Tech page.

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Jim,

I have a PhD, but understanding all the intricacies of Gillette razors is over my head for sure!

Alternative names would be just English Tech or perhaps even 7 o’clock Tech as I wouldn’t be surprised if this design was brought into the Gillette stable through acquisition. The NEW Flat Bottom it’s definitely also available in a 7 o’clock version. Otherwise you could always go for EFBT for short if you want to avoid taking about bottoms all the time - I can’t fathom why not, but that’s just me

Cheers,

Guido

Thanks.

EFBT sounds good.

I was sorta kinda wondering if there is an official Gillette name for the English Flat Bottom Tech?

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Guido75]

The Captain Obvious answer is that they called it the Tech.

But it would depend on the year yours is from Jim to have a real answer. Based on what you shared and with the fat handle your Tech would/could be a No 27, 30, 31, 44, 77 - depending on the case it came in at the time. There might be more but these are the ones I know.

Cheers,

Guido

 

[Rosseforp]

Alternative names would be just English Tech or perhaps even 7 o’clock Tech as I wouldn’t be surprised if this design was brought into the Gillette stable through acquisition.

Mine's a 4'll

~doug~

 

[Cal]

Mine's a 4'll

No. Yours cost 4 shillings and 11 pence (originally, before the GBP went metric).

(But then, I guess you knew that anyway and were just joking.)

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Flat Bottom Tech​

Circa 1947. Made in England.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

My new Flat Bottom Tech (from England) was cleaned and polished this morning.

It spent ~3.5 minutes in my small ultrasonic cleaner with hot tap water and Dawn.

It was polished with Flitz and a microfiber cloth.

It was rinsed with hot tap water and dried.

Whether the photos show much improvement or not, in real life the improvement is substantial. Not that the razor was dirty because it wasn't, but now it is sparkling clean and freshly polished. It looks substantially better.

Also, the process of screwing together the cap and the handle previously seemed a bit gunked up. Following the cleaning and polishing and drying, I applied to the hole in the top of the handle a drop of 3-in-1 oil, screwed the razor together, and then removed with a paper towel as much of the oil as I could easily remove. Now the razor parts screw together as smoothly as silk.

Yes, I'm pleased with the results. It is at least enough better looking for me to notice. That justifies the little bit of effort. Plus, I feel better about its cleanliness (as a vintage and previously used by someone else shaving instrument).

Perhaps I will dip the FBT in Barbicide, too, or maybe not, but that's a decision for another day.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[flask28]

It cleaned up great! Not that it was filthy before but your photos are telling me that your polishing time paid off

Congratulations on the new FBT, I'm super interested to hear your impressions once you get a chance to kick the tires.

 

[Guido75]

new FBT

Given earlier discussions, I am so glad you wrote new in small caps! If those were all caps we would have been opening a new can of worms right there!

@Chan Eil Whiskers - excellent work and enjoy your razor! It shaves wonderfully (at least to me).

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Monday my kit delivered a very good shave.

Having skipped shaving on both Saturday and Sunday a good shave was right up my alley.

The X1 is a Daily Driver for sure. That's not news, but the razor continues to prove itself.

I can use the X1 every day. Each day my shave is good. All shaves are comfortable. I'm now 27 days into the March Fixed Four with the X1 and I've not seen any signs of blood. Zero.

Knocking on wood, of course, as the month is not over.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

I shaved both yesterday and today but only have one photo.

Good shaves both days.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Phoenixkh]

Winding down the month now, Jim....I'll be interested which razor you pick up on April Fool's Day

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Thursday morning's shave was good. Again.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Winding down the month now, Jim....I'll be interested which razor you pick up on April Fool's Day

I'm probably doing the April Adjustable thing beginning on Saturday. I'm thinking the Sailor for a week, but haven't nailed it down.

You?

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

Friday. Another very good shave.

I'm glad the Fixed Four is over. I "enjoyed" it and certainly learned from it, but...

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

April has arrived. Saturday, too.

Snmirn. New blade. Settings were 2, 5, and fully closed which is 0.5. Very good shaving razor.

Not the brush I meant to use, but I was not fully awake when it was grabbed. It's a good unbleached.

Nice shave.

No alum today.

Happy shaves,

Jim

 

[Guido75]

Thanks to Adam I received this very brush only a couple of hours ago. Looks and feels pretty good!

Cheers,

Guido