Gillette #58 - TTO feels like no other

[johnmrson]

My #58 arrived in the mail today. It has a very nice feel to it in the hand. The strangest thing I notice about it though is that the TTO mechanism is like no other razor I've used. It feels as if it's hydraulic. It is really smooth and precise but it feels as if it's not the standard screw mechanism in all the other Gillette TTO's.

Weird I know but that's how it feels to me.

 

[luvmysuper]

My #58 arrived in the mail today. It has a very nice feel to it in the hand. The strangest thing I notice about it though is that the TTO mechanism is like no other razor I've used. It feels as if it's hydraulic. It is really smooth and precise but it feels as if it's not the standard screw mechanism in all the other Gillette TTO's.

Weird I know but that's how it feels to me.

You're certainly not alone in your assessment.
Many others have reported the superior quality of this and similar line razors.

 

[Jake]

There is no doubt that the TTO system in the #58 is better made -- however it's made -- than any other TTO razor. The case design is also unique & it's amazing that Gillette didn't use this more commonly. But what's with the strange blotching commonly seen on the exterior of this red case? And do you think the head is just like the #66?

 

[Stubblefield]

Never really thought about it, but now that you mention it, the TTO does feel different--it has a very precise feel to it, an even more precise feeling than the #16. And the head is a bit different than any other Gillette I have used, not sure if it is slightly more aggressive, but it gives an even better shave than the Aristocrat JR.--Which is one of the best shaving Gillettes ever made.

 

[merwtje]

Indeed a sort of hydraulic feel. A a matter of fact I let my wife feel it yesterday with a British made Parat. The TTO of a #16 has a more sliding effect. But the typical effect of the British TTO razors is that they can open andd close with very little sound.

 

[hypo_style]

Strange, I have a #58, #16, and #66, and I’ve found that the #16 & #66 mechanisms are far smoother than that of the #58.

I would think that the British Aristocrat TTO mechanisms would be similar between contemporary models, if not identical, and that variations in performance might owe more to quirks of production and wear/use over the years than to variations between models.

 

[ghostknife]

Takes me twice as long to shave when I pull out the #58, I just stand there marveling at its brilliance and twisting open, close, open, close, open.....OH I'm supposed to shave with it thats right.

 

[texbilly]

I always considered the better TTO comparison was between the #58 and it's close cousin, the HD Rocket. Smooth as silk and they somehow feel a little different than the #16 or #66.

 

[tallow_first]

Interesting that I never noticed this before. My #58 doesn't feel any different than my other Rockets, but one of my HDs has that hydraulic sensation when opening and closing as you describe. It feels heavier than the other razors for lack of a better description.

Sometimes lubricating the inner workings with mineral oil will give that hydraulic feel, but not to the degree that I am experiencing with my one HD, so some of these razor seem to have been built with much tighter tolerances than usual.

 

[Lando]

Does this go for both versions? From what I understand there are two versions of this razor, the standard and a lighter aluminum handled one. What are people's thoughts on these variants?

 

[gearchow]

Gee, I need to go home and play with - errr - analyse my #58, #16, HD Rocket, 40s Rocket.

My 30s Aristocrat isn't any slouch in the smooth TTO mechanism either, as I recall.

Just those latter day SuperSpeeds kind of jangly. Like my '93 Toyota 4WD PU.

-jim

 

[Stubblefield]

Does this go for both versions? From what I understand there are two versions of this razor, the standard and a lighter aluminum handled one. What are people's thoughts on these variants?

I do not believe there is an aluminum handled version of the #58, tho the HD does have such a version.

Strange, I have a #58, #16, and #66, and I’ve found that the #16 & #66 mechanisms are far smoother than that of the #58.

Now you have me curious--I'm going to have to pull out the Aristocrat Jr., the #16, and the #58 and compare the feel.

But I can report one thing for sure: these are (among) Gillettes best shavers. Perhaps the best DE razors ever made.

 

[merwtje]

I do not believe there is an aluminum handled version of the #58, tho the HD does have such a version.

It does really!

 

[gearchow]

I do not believe there is an aluminum handled version of the #58, tho the HD does have such a version.

According to this there is:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=91556

Now you have me curious--I'm going to have to pull out the Aristocrat Jr., the #16, and the #58 and compare the feel.

But I can report one thing for sure: these are (among) Gillettes best shavers. Perhaps the best DE razors ever made.

My HD and #58 feel very much the same, but it's not like I'm comparing brand new razors against each other.

I'm curious about aluminum handled high end models. Are they as good mechanically as their solid brass versions? I'm finding the black tip SS isn't near as nice as a regular SS. Well at least not the ones that I have...

-jim

 

[Stubblefield]

It does really!

As soon as I posted that, I went looking for that info, and found it; You are right of course. The #66 also had an Alu handled version.

My HD and #58 feel very much the same, but it's not like I'm comparing brand new razors against each other.

To me they feel nothing alike--my#58 is a touch more aggressive than an HD, and I like the handle (and finish) better. Could just be variation in individual razors, tho.

 

[gearchow]

It does really!

Very pretty by the way Erwin!

-jim

 

[Jake]

Not wanting to hijack this thread, but the #58 is really a striking designed razor. Similar to the Rocket HD and #66, but the combination of the handle and incredibly bright nickel (or is it rhodium?) head. And not to forget that great TTO mechanism.

Here's one I just received and couldn't resist posting.

 

[Stubblefield]

Jake, that is a beaut.

These are so shiny and so well prepped that they really do appear to be rhodium.

 

[baggiez]

I love the knurling on my #58. It's not as shiny as the #66 but somehow more - workmanlike?

Anyway the HD rocket, #58 and #66 Brits are much better put together than their US cousins IMHO - although (and not to hijack the thread) I've been shaving for a week straight with a 46 US Aristocrat and it's great.

 

[tallow_first]

Similar to the Rocket HD and #66, but the combination of the handle and incredibly bright nickel (or is it rhodium?) head.

I think we have reached a degree of conclusion on that debate.