Goodwill ID Help Please.

[B-One]

I am quite new to the razor collecting hobby and learning quite a bit. I need a little help identifying the razor below. I know that the Goodwill has many variants and I haven't been able to nail this one down. I have searched the forums and done a google search unsuccessfully. Can you help a newbie with this one? Thanks

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Goodwill sets from mr-razor's site can be seen HERE

I'm not sure you have a Goodwill set, looks like a ball end NEW like seen HERE

 

[B-One]

Thanks,

I was thinking it might be a "Frankenstein" because I couldn't find top plate and blade guard anywhere that discussed Goodwills.

 

[MacDaddy]

Yeah, that's not a Goodwill at all. That's a standard long-comb ball-end NEW, like the ones that came in the Berkshire, Federal, Oxford, Regent sets, and so on. They also came uncased in cardboard boxes with a single blade.

It looks like yours there has been stripped mostly down to its bare brass, but otherwise looks in perfectly decent working order. They're great shavers.

 

[B-One]

Yeah, that's not a Goodwill at all. That's a standard long-comb ball-end NEW, like the ones that came in the Berkshire, Federal, Oxford, Regent sets, and so on. They also came uncased in cardboard boxes with a single blade.

It looks like yours there has been stripped mostly down to its bare brass, but otherwise looks in perfectly decent working order. They're great shavers.

The lacquer is mostly gone, but the gold plate is completely intact on the head and blade guard. The only copper showing is on the knurling where there isn't much gold plate left. This is as close as I could get looking up the "New" as suggested: http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/dettaglio.asp?IdProd=344097saf

 

[alex2363]

Yeah, that's not a Goodwill at all. That's a standard long-comb ball-end NEW, like the ones that came in the Berkshire, Federal, Oxford, Regent sets, and so on. They also came uncased in cardboard boxes with a single blade.

It looks like yours there has been stripped mostly down to its bare brass, but otherwise looks in perfectly decent working order. They're great shavers.

I agree, one of the classic shavers.

 

[MacDaddy]

The lacquer is mostly gone, but the gold plate is completely intact on the head and blade guard. The only copper showing is on the knurling where there isn't much gold plate left.

The handle tube is red brass, which is what you're seeing there. Sometimes the caps are also red brass, other times they're yellow brass like the guard plate and the handle's end fittings. Maybe it's just the color balance of your photos, but the cap and most of the guard plate really look like you're down to bare brass that's been polished up to me.

This is as close as I could get looking up the "New" as suggested: http://www.collectorsencyclopedia.com/dettaglio.asp?IdProd=344097saf

That's one example of the uncased type that I was talking about. Have a look through Achim's section on the NEWs. He's got plenty of other examples there.

 

[B-One]

Thanks MacDaddy, This has been a big help. The color in the photo is pretty poor; I think the lighting I am using is washing out the gold color. Then again, maybe it's wishful thinking on my part and the gold that I am seeing is the yellow brass. In either case, as you mentioned earlier, it will make a great shaver. I think this will be one of my "keepers" unless I find another open comb in better shape.

 

[Amir]

Interesting perspective MacDaddy about the red brass handle tube. My new (to me) British Goodwill Empire set is nickel plated, and generally in very good condition. But, I see a tinge of what appears to be a very slight reddish tint only on a portion of the knurling, yet not on the handle's end fittings.

So, it looks like I'll wind up with a multi-colored job, as it gets used. And I've been enjoying the shaves - aptly described by B&B vets - as shaving like a smooth, efficient, long-comb NEW.

 

[BBrad]

Hey, B-One . . . Welcome to B&B!

So the new guy walks into the shaving forum with a NEW, and since it's the Christmas season, he's hoping for a little Goodwill . . .

You, sir, are the proud owner of one of the sweetest shaving open-comb razors ever produced. Quiet, shy, unassuming . . . most Gillette NEW razor have lost their (very thin) gold wash. But yet, many feel that the various golden to reddish tones of the various brass alloys ads a certain je ne se quoi to the razor . . .

I've got a few, and while not in regular rotation, every once in a while I grab one and give it a go. I keep saying I've got to send one off to Dave (onotoman) and get it plated up nice and pretty . . .

Enjoy your NEW . . . it's a keeper!!

 

[B-One]

Hey, B-One . . . Welcome to B&B!

So the new guy walks into the shaving forum with a NEW, and since it's the Christmas season, he's hoping for a little Goodwill . . .

You, sir, are the proud owner of one of the sweetest shaving open-comb razors ever produced. Quiet, shy, unassuming . . . most Gillette NEW razor have lost their (very thin) gold wash. But yet, many feel that the various golden to reddish tones of the various brass alloys ads a certain je ne se quoi to the razor . . .

I've got a few, and while not in regular rotation, every once in a while I grab one and give it a go. I keep saying I've got to send one off to Dave (onotoman) and get it plated up nice and pretty . . .

Enjoy your NEW . . . it's a keeper!!

The board poet! Thank you for the greeting. I do like the multi toned look and I will keep this one. I will have to give it a try in the near future.

 

[onotoman]

That copper coating on the handle will oxidize and pit eventually, especially if left in acidic or alkali conditions (soaps etc). The copper was only applied over the brass to allow better adhesion of the plating (Gold or Nickel) and not as a decorative finish.

Rose Gold would look similar to copper but would provide the barrier that would protect the brass/copper base materials.

Gillette also applied a clear lacquer to many gold plated razors such as New/Tech/US Aristocrat. This looks brown on most models through aging, but can be removed by steeping the razor in oven cleaner and brushing over with a stiff paint brush once or twice over a 24 hour period. The oven cleaner won't harm the metal or plating at all (at least on gold plated razors)

Anyway, enjoy your 'New', it is indeed a very nice model.