Gillette TTO - Unsure if Aristocrat Jr. or Parat? Year? Worth getting replated?

[DHF12]

Hi everyone,

New to the forum and need help identifying one of my razors.

I purchased this one around August last year from an antique dealer and am wondering as to whether if it is an Aristocrat Jr. or perhaps a Parat?

I understand that this particular model does not have any date codes, but would like to know roughly how old it could be?

Ive attached the following photographs.

Also, I may consider getting it replated as some of it has worn off the handle.

Would I be able to get it done without disassembling it?

Thanks in advance.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I am almost always wrong but my guess is an Aristocrat Junior from the early 1950s; it is English so will have no date code at that time. A very nice razor and I would not replate it as right now it has character and interest, just give it a gentle clean up is my advice. Welcome to B&B

 

[Dave himself]

Hi and welcome to B&B. As said above I would just give it a clean and use. But if you do decide to get it replated I would go with Chris at Back Roads Gold.

 

[creamgravy]

Yep, these are commonly referred to as 'Aristocrat Juniors' (3rd gen) although they can come in different sets. Patent pending is early 50s (50-54 off the top of my head)

A 'Parat' differs in that the TTO knob is identical in width to the handle, AJs are slightly wider.

 

[DHF12]

Thanks for your input fellas.. I've just got one last question to ask.. based on the photos provided above.. could this razor be rhodium plated or is it just the standard nickel..? If so how can you tell? Appreciate the responses!

 

[Eric_75]

Hello and welcome to B & B!

 

[Filudo]

I think it looks OK, dish soap and a toothbrush....., I wouldn't re-plate it.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

Thanks for your input fellas.. I've just got one last question to ask.. based on the photos provided above.. could this razor be rhodium plated or is it just the standard nickel..? If so how can you tell? Appreciate the responses!

I am no expert but as I understand it rhodium plating is currently rather expensive. In my view your razor looks excellent as it is but it is not a rarity and for me is not worth replating, especially as it has no sentimental value to you. Replating will not add value to this razor and some find replating undesirable. I think you would be better spending your money seeking out a pristine razor in original condition if that is what you desire. Good luck with whatever you decide

 

[nemo]

... based on the photos provided above.. could this razor be rhodium plated or is it just the standard nickel..?

The razors were nickel plated (or thin gold) and many were sold in Canada (made in England) as Rockets. None were rhodium.

https://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece%20solid%20guard%20bar/1949%20Rocket.JPG

 

[DHF12]

The razors were nickel plated (or thin gold) and many were sold in Canada (made in England) as Rockets. None were rhodium.

https://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece%20solid%20guard%20bar/1949%20Rocket.JPG

Interesting.. I've got a Rocket also with a so called "collar" around where the handle joins to the head. Also a thicker handle. Thanks for the input.

 

[DHF12]

I am no expert but as I understand it rhodium plating is currently rather expensive. In my view your razor looks excellent as it is but it is not a rarity and for me is not worth replating, especially as it has no sentimental value to you. Replating will not add value to this razor and some find replating undesirable. I think you would be better spending your money seeking out a pristine razor in original condition if that is what you desire. Good luck with whatever you decide

Good advice. Thanks mate.

 

[nemo]

Interesting.. I've got a Rocket also with a so called "collar" around where the handle joins to the head. Also a thicker handle.

HD, I've got one too! Good shavers.

Lots of good Rocket info here: Best Gillette Rocket? - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/best-gillette-rocket.624779/

 

[DHF12]

HD, I've got one too! Good shavers.

Lots of good Rocket info here: Best Gillette Rocket? - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/best-gillette-rocket.624779/

Yes that's the one. A shame.. mine has a bent inwards hinge and crimp marks on an end cap.. seems the previous owner tried to bend it back into its original position with pliers..

 

[psfred]

I'd not replate it if you are going to use it and everything works -- blade is evenly clamped, exposure/gap the same on both sides, etc.

I believe Chris will straighten the doors and may be able to fix the cover on the end as well if you do replate. Factory finish is cheapest because he doesn't polish the doors, etc to mirror condition before plating, just fixes some pitting and gets the baseplate flat, etc.

I'm having some adjustables replated for daily use, they have enough plating loss I'm concerned about pitting from my horribly hard water and consequent soap scum accumulating. Don't need mirror polish, just good plating.

 

[DHF12]

I'd not replate it if you are going to use it and everything works -- blade is evenly clamped, exposure/gap the same on both sides, etc.

I believe Chris will straighten the doors and may be able to fix the cover on the end as well if you do replate. Factory finish is cheapest because he doesn't polish the doors, etc to mirror condition before plating, just fixes some pitting and gets the baseplate flat, etc.

I'm having some adjustables replated for daily use, they have enough plating loss I'm concerned about pitting from my horribly hard water and consequent soap scum accumulating. Don't need mirror polish, just good plating.

If I were to go down that route, I would opt for factory finish.. I am not looking for 100% perfection. Would love to even track down an original case for it.. when I purchased the razor it came in a blue case.. don't believe it's original..

 

[EclipseRedRing]

If I were to go down that route, I would opt for factory finish.. I am not looking for 100% perfection. Would love to even track down an original case for it.. when I purchased the razor it came in a blue case.. don't believe it's original..

If it is a Rocket HD then the correct case could very well be blue.

 

[DHF12]

If it is a Rocket HD then the correct case could very well be blue.

View attachment 1829235

The rocket was purchased on it's own. When I purchased the Aristocrat JR it came with this case

 

[EclipseRedRing]

The rocket was purchased on it's own. When I purchased the Aristocrat JR it came with this case

That looks like a Tech case:

 

[DHF12]

That looks like a Tech case:

View attachment 1829240

That's the one.. I had a gut feeling that it was not original.. as a matter of fact.. my local antique dealer has that tech razor you listed here for $10 AUD.. do you think it's a good deal?

 

[NorthernSoul]

That's the one.. I had a gut feeling that it was not original.. as a matter of fact.. my local antique dealer has that tech razor you listed here for $10 AUD.. do you think it's a good deal?

It's hard to go wrong with a Tech. The best are the all-brass ones up until the early 1960s.

Some people prefer the earlier "pre-war" models with triangular slots, but the 1950s ones are good shavers if you like something on the milder side.

There is also the "fat handle" option. Some people prefer that vs. the ball-end handle.