I just want to show off my first 100 year old razor: Gillette Old Type 1919. It was under $15 on the bay, and I was slightly skeptical as these handles are so commonly cracked. After a little soak n scrub, I am incredibly impressed by the gold plating and overall condition! Bent one tooth back into alignment with jewelry pliers. Otherwise no nicks, scratches, or wear. Will be test driving Monday after a well deserved 2-day growth.
First Old Type
- Thread starter Altonius
- Start date
Very nice. My Old Types are at the top of my rotation as best shavers. Lab Blues and Yellows are best for me with the OT.
Very nice! Enjoy it, the old types provide a great shave. Looks like a thin cap. I prefer the thin cap olds but they all work well.
Nice Old Type, one of my favorite Gillette's! What makes you think it is a 1919? It looks like a 1920's thin cap to me.
Nice find for $15. Like others, I prefer the thin cap as well! Enjoy shaving with it!
Very nice. Congratulations. I hope that the shave goes well for you.
Hannah's Dad
I Can See Better Than Bigfoot.
Nice score. You were very fortunate not to snap the bent tooth completely off. Enjoy your shaves!
- Thread starter
- #8
Date code K225088. Looks like 1919 to me!
Thanks for the compliments. I was clearly fishing for them.
SCORE!! 
Very nice, especially for its age.
The Old Type is definitely a permanent part of my rotation. Congratulations on your find! 
There are no feet on the cap corners. Thats nice to see.
My Single Ring.
Before.
After.
You can imagine how it shaved before.
Thats an often overlooked part of the Gillette Old Types. The caps need to mate to the base properly or they'll shave harshly.
I'm always glad to see straight ones.
My Single Ring.
Before.
After.
You can imagine how it shaved before.
Thats an often overlooked part of the Gillette Old Types. The caps need to mate to the base properly or they'll shave harshly.
I'm always glad to see straight ones.
+1000 to this advice. Took my Old Types from "harsh/just ok" to one of my all time favorite razors.
Highly recommended!
- Thread starter
- #14
First shave went excellently!!! I felt rather courageous in using a feather blade, but last week I discovered this blade was the solution to my 7-month irritation battle. I must admit, it was odd finding the right angle to a razor with virtually no blade gap and significant blade exposure. All in good practice. Was not the most comfortable shave but THE CLOSEST SHAVE OF MY LIFE!
3-pass WTG, XTG, Caddie/ATG WITH damn near BBS! One nick in the usual problem neck spot, and nearly zero irritation.
I love this razor. Can’t wait to give it the attention it deserved a century ago.
3-pass WTG, XTG, Caddie/ATG WITH damn near BBS! One nick in the usual problem neck spot, and nearly zero irritation.
I love this razor. Can’t wait to give it the attention it deserved a century ago.
The Gillette Old Type with a Feather blade is capable of a truly exceptional shave.
Old Types thats are perfectly straight should have no blade gap at all and negative blade exposure. See my made in Canada Old Type below.
Because they have no blade gap and negative blade exposure, they can be very deceptive. It feels unnatural to shave effectively without feeling the blade and we might have a natural tendency to overcompensate for that by steepening the angle or applying more pressure. Thats a mistake. Despite how unassuming my Canadian may appear, its one of my most unforgiving razors of weak technique I own.
I get the best Gillette Old Type shaves when I ride the cap somewhat.
Thats how I use mine too.
- Thread starter
- #18
You’re right Esox. The blade is nearly flush with the comb. You taught me the correct meaning of blade exposure today.
Exactly like mine. Great shaver. Don’t be afraid of it. I find it to be efficient but comfortable
A very similar design but with positive blade exposure, is the Fatip OC.
Of virtually the same design, but with .023" blade gap, is the Gillette NEW SC. Increasing blade gap also increases blade exposure.
The Gillette NEW SC is, in essence, an Old Type with blade gap.
