Need some advice. I want to get a Gillette Tech. I prefer more aggressive razors like the R41. Which Tech would you guys recommend? I’m thinking an English flat bottom? Other ideas?
Gillette Tech advice
- Thread starter PALORAZOR
- Start date
lasta
Blade Biter
Techs are all rather mild. And version differences are not night and day. Our late beloved member Rosseforp measured the differences between the biggest gap and smallest gap to be ~0.04mm.
Fortunately, all very smooth and adequate efficiency, unfortunately nothing like the R41.
Fortunately, all very smooth and adequate efficiency, unfortunately nothing like the R41.
lasta
Blade Biter
That being said, I highly recommend you pick up a ball-end Tech. They are readily available on ebay and shouldn't be more than 30 dollars.
Techs are my absolute favourite razors, I shave with one almost every other day.
I'm a late Tech convert, but there is a reason why they are the best selling razors of all time. Nothing like an R41, but absolute perfection in terms of blade holding instruments.
Techs are my absolute favourite razors, I shave with one almost every other day.
I'm a late Tech convert, but there is a reason why they are the best selling razors of all time. Nothing like an R41, but absolute perfection in terms of blade holding instruments.
I love Tech’s. You could pair a Tech with a sharp blade such as a Feather and this combination gives me fantastic shaves. Everyone is different though but if you buy a Tech and are not happy you haven’t spent a fortune and you can always sell it again.
My favorite is a Canadian pre-war model. I put a slightly longer and heavier handle on it. To get the closest shave, use a sharper blade such as Feather, BIC Chrome Platinum, Personna Med Prep, etc. With just a bit of care, you will not hurt yourself since the razor is mild. You must watch the shaving angle closely but if you do, you can reliably get a close, comfortable shave.
None.
Techs are nowhere near the R41. Even compared to the post-2019 R41 that has been made milder.
I'm a novice when it comes to Gillette Techs. I only have two of them... the Canada Pre-War and the British Flat Bottom Tech. I don't plan to buy any more.... These two come highly recommended by B&B shave masters.... good enough for me.
That's true, Techs are not aggressive by design. Many people can still get a close shave with them, though. It does need a sharper blade and has a relatively narrow effective shaving angle. No, you don't need five passes to get a close shave as some people would have you believe.
Speaking for myself, I don't need the level of closeness the R41 can provide every day. The Tech works well and is very comfortable on autopilot.
You might want to look at a Star 100. It's very similar to a Tech, but I find it to be a tad more aggressive.
The Tech will shave any face well with good technique. I get a closer shave with my 1949 Ball-handle with a Lord blade than I do with my R41.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks for all the great feedback guys! I'm really having fun exploring safety razors. I've been a straight razor shaver for almost 20 years, so fun to exlplore something new!
Just bought a beautiful 1930's Gillette British Goodwill Empire from Chris at Back Roads Gold. Will let you all know how it goes.
Just bought a beautiful 1930's Gillette British Goodwill Empire from Chris at Back Roads Gold. Will let you all know how it goes.
Excellent choice.
My experience, based on razors I have used, in terms of efficiency:
US Pre War Tech > US Post War Tech (NDC) > US 1950s Ball End Tech > British Flat Bottom Tech > US Spiral Handle Tech
As previously stated, none of them are terribly aggressive. Not to say they are mild, but, they are not as efficient a many modern razors. If you want more efficiency, get a New (short or long comb). The New Short Comb is my favorite vintage by far.
US Pre War Tech > US Post War Tech (NDC) > US 1950s Ball End Tech > British Flat Bottom Tech > US Spiral Handle Tech
As previously stated, none of them are terribly aggressive. Not to say they are mild, but, they are not as efficient a many modern razors. If you want more efficiency, get a New (short or long comb). The New Short Comb is my favorite vintage by far.
Definitely not true!
Here is a part of the measurements Doug wrote in a post here. I have copied it and have it in a .doc file just for reference to compare with my measurements.
47 English Flat Bottom Tech
Cap-12.2g Baseplate-13.2g C&P-25.6 Handle-24.9g Total-50.5g
Gap= .028" $ Gift from Cal Buck $
Mirror Nickel Re-plate Cap 11/18/22 BackRoadsGold $25.00
67 England Tech aluminum handle
Cap-10.2g Baseplate-10.2g C&P-20.4 Handle-11.5g Total-32g
Gap= .026" $ PIF from Mawashi $
PIF to B&B Member
67 Tech M4* aluminum handle Mar 3, 2019
Cap-10.2g Baseplate-10.4g C&P-20.6 Handle-12.2g Total-33g
Gap= .025" $5.00
PreWar Tech** Apr 13, 2019
Cap-14.5g Baseplate-10.0g C&P-24.5 Handle-23g Total-47.5g
Gap= .019" $10.49
Mirror Nickel re-plate handle at BRG $25.00
53 Tech Y2*** Mar 5, 2019
Cap-11.4g Steel Baseplate-8.4g C&P-19.8 Handle-36.3g Total-56.2g
Gap= .021" $19.50
No Date (46-50) Tech
Cap-11.2g Baseplate-10.8g C&P-22.0 Handle-34.6g Total-56.5g
Gap= .024" $ PIF from Mawashi $
English Tech* (Early)
Cap-14.5g Baseplate-10.8g C&P-25.3 Handle-37.0g Total-62.3g
Gap= .028" $ PIF from Mawashi $
0.028" = 0.711mm
0.019" = 0.482mm
So the difference in gap between mildest and more aggressive Techs is 0.23mm
lasta
Blade Biter
Thanks! Bookmarked.
Grandpa Bill had a good suggesting with the Gillette New SC. The Tech was actually a descendant of the New but the New SC is more aggressive than the Tech.
- Thread starter
- #17
Where is Doug's post?
Gillette DE Razor Blade Gap & Exposure?
Howdy All, Would deeply appreciate a bit of help regarding the title of this post. Some years ago I thought I'd located a specs sheet with a rather large swath of Gillette DE Safety Razors. I cannot locate this information. My goal is to find the gap and exposure of the two (2) Gillette DE...
www.badgerandblade.com
The hybrid tech is the most aggressive, for me at least. For the price point, you could buy 20 other techs though.
I don't have enough time with either the NEW Long Comb and Short Combs, but I've had great shaves with them both. I don't have a preference yet as I need to use them more to see if one works better for me than the other. I did get 12 hour shaves with them both right from the get go... Pretty impressive for razors manufactured in the early 1930s.
