Gillette's War Production Effect On Models?

[Luminose]

Hey everyone,

I'm just getting into DE Safety Razors after years of the expensive 5 blade Gillette's chewing on my face & wallet. After doing TONS of research before buying anything (yeah I'm not a jump in head first kinda guy hah) I've decided to go vintage and I've chosen the Gillette Tech to be my future companion in this!

The question I have has to do with the War Production and it effects on the 1938-1945 models. I've bought 3 very clean 38-45 Fat Handle models, 1 46-50 Ball Handle and 1 64 Ball Handle to round out my collection. What I was wondering is are all civilian models listed as 1938-1945 on mr-razor for example really 1938-1941 models? If you look at the Gillette Date Code it shows 1942-1944 as "War Production Only" and 1945 as "War Production Mostly".

I've been looking online and on the forum for the answer to that but I haven't run into it yet.

Thanks!

 

[GDCarrington]

Gillette stopped producing the higher end product and produced three piece models through the war for both military and civilian use, although civilian purchases were severely curtailed both by voluntary and forced supply reductions. The war also required Gillette to convert some of their factories to produce other war materials as well. Most of the new shavers were entering the armed forces and being provided a razor by the U.S.G. so a lot of demand shifted and you see a lot of Contract razors.

That is why Gillette reintroduced the more complex TTO Ranger Tech and Milord razors in 1946 before moving to the new design Super Speed in 1947. They had parts left in stock that were made before the war.

 

[Luminose]

Ah ok so they never stopped production of the normal Tech model?

 

[Mick]

Welcome to B&B

If you have not already done so, stop into the Hall of Fame and tell everyone a little about yourself

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/forumdisplay.php/30-Hall-of-Fame

The Tech was produced throughout the war years but the production was all for military consumption.

 

[GDCarrington]

Ah ok so they never stopped production of the normal Tech model?

Correct. Production was mostly shifted to the war effort in the form of contract razors.

Two excellent books that will help you are:

"King C. Gillette, the man and his wonderful shaving device" by Russell Adams

"Cutting Edge" by Gordon McKibben.

That should help you learn more about the history of Gillette and the Gillette Corporation.

 

[kmain]

Razors produced during WW2 were sold to the governmentfor armed forces only during these turbulent years, except for razor blades which were sold in limited quantities to civilians. As for your question, no idea, sorry! IT seems you made some good finds since pre era razors are quiet rare.

 

[GDCarrington]

There was even more issues than what went on in Western Hemisphere.

In the books I referenced, there are discussions about the attempts of the Nazi government to capture and relocate Gillette's French blade making machinery into Germany. They soon found out that the critical parts were hidden before the German forces could capture the facility, so the equipment was of no use and left in place. At the end of the war, the parts were "recovered" and French production was quickly brought back to normal.

At the end of the war, Soviet forces took Gillette equipment in Berlin and moved it to Poland and began using them to support their requirements for blades.

So there were a lot of "razor and blade shortages" caused by the war and even after its end.

 

[the beav]

Razors produced during WW2 were sold to the governmentfor armed forces only during these turbulent years, except for razor blades which were sold in limited quantities to civilians. As for your question, no idea, sorry! IT seems you made some good finds since pre era razors are quiet rare.
View attachment 293124

Thanks for posting that article. I assume that it's from 1945?

 

[Luminose]

I made my Hall of Fame post thanks!

Ok so if I have everyone's replies correct. Gillette stopped production on their more complicated higher end models but they continued their basic lines like the Tech, except all razors made were for military use and not civilian sale? So unless you have a razor made for the military then chances are your 38-45 razor was made in 38-41?

Of my 3 Silver Fat Handle Techs, the USA model has a flat plate with triangle slots and a lined case. The one made in England has a completely flat plate, oval slots and a bakelite case. The Canadian one has a flat plate, triangle slots but no case. I'm thinking that chances are all three of these were made before 1942.

Once all my Tech razors come in this week I'll take some good photos of them to post.

 

[kmain]

Yeah 1945 I believe..

 

[chongo gordo]

The Korean War also had an effect of Gillette production. Brass shortages caused by that conflict led Gillette to produce the Black Tip razor in steel. There was an aluminum model as well. I'm sure others here know the details (dates and materials) better than I.

 

[BBrad]

The Korean War also had an effect of Gillette production. Brass shortages caused by that conflict led Gillette to produce the Black Tip razor in steel. There was an aluminum model as well. I'm sure others here know the details (dates and materials) better than I.

The use of steel and aluminum was mostly limited to the handle components, with the TTO knob made of a black nylon material. There were a very limited number of razors produced with a steel base plate as well . . . but they are uncommon. The remainder of the head components (center spider, doors, center rod) were made of brass on all the Black Tip Super Speeds.

 

[mharris127]

The use of steel and aluminum was mostly limited to the handle components, with the TTO knob made of a black nylon material. There were a very limited number of razors produced with a steel base plate as well . . . but they are uncommon. The remainder of the head components (center spider, doors, center rod) were made of brass on all the Black Tip Super Speeds.

I have a Korea War-era Black Tip. It is weird to use with the extremely thin handle, it definitely feels head-heavy. However, it does shave as long as you are extra careful using it to avoid accidental cuts.