Help me identify this butterfly style safety razor

[mrozowjj]

I grew up using disposables and Mach 3s. A few years ago I decided I should give safety razors a try. My father happened to have a double edged butterfly style safety razor that he no longer used so I started using that. He's had this for as long as I can remember and I'm 26 to give you an idea of the time line. which means it's at least 20 years old.

I'd like to find out what safety razor it is because I tend to nick myself up with it a lot and I'd like to use this as a frame of reference to determine if I should go more or less aggressive.

Here's some pics of it. On the inside it's stamped "PAT. NOS. ON PKG." but I don't have the package obviously.

Here's some pics of it.

 

[mmack66]

Gillette Knack

 

[Oldguy]

Yup, a Knack. Mine was made in 1968. After you clean it up you should find a date code under the blade guard, a letter on one side and a number on the other.

Len

 

[mrozowjj]

Well hell that was qwuick. I just checked, I never noticed the writing under the thing. It has an "N" on the left and a "2" on the right

I just read the reviews on there and everyone says it's pretty mild. I don't knick myself up badly but I do tend to knick myself a lot more than I do when I use one of the Mach 3s. I suppose I need recommendations on where to go from here. Perhaps it's my blades? I have Merkur Super blades.

 

[mark_mw]

Production in the 2nd quarter of 1968. The Knack is a mild shaver but try not to press with any force until you "adapt" to how the razor is cutting....

 

[Masterofsparks]

My Knack was manufactured during the same period and it is a nice mild shaver! Get rid of that blade though. Merkur blades are terrible in my own estimation. I use Derby's and Feathers myself but you might want to get a sampler pack and see what suits you best!

 

[michiganlover]

Perhaps it's my blades? I have Merkur Super blades.

Merkur's are generally considered some of the worst blades for a newbie to be using. Get yourself a sampler pack of blades from Westcoastshaving.com, or Bullgooseshaving.net for starters.

However, the nicks are probably more of a technique issue. You could be using too much pressure, and your angle could be off.

Also, what are you using for lather? An inadequate lather can lead to all sorts of problems shaving (the razor dragging, and skipping for example).

 

[BBrad]

A Knack was the first razor I shaved with back in '72 . . . and then switched in '73 to my grandfather's old Schick Injector because I thought it was cool to shave with Gramp's razor!

I picked up a Knack a few months ago at a local antique shop. I was still able to get a really good shave from it! I passed it on to my oldest son, who had never used a DE before. It damn near killed him!!

With cartridge techniques (pressure, speed) the added handle length turns the Knack into a real "hack tool" . . . but if you take it back to "square one" with prep, technique, and patience the Knack is one fantastic shaver!

 

[mrozowjj]

I'll try one of the blade sampler packs. Any other butterfly openers out on the market now I might want to look into?

Also I don't know where I'm supposed to be holding it but I sort of choke up on the handle to where I can get it to balance well.

 

[michiganlover]

I'll try one of the blade sampler packs. Any other butterfly openers out on the market now I might want to look into?

The only current production Butterfly/ Twist to Open razor I can recommend is the Ming Shi razor, which shaves very similar to a vintage Gillette Superspeed. Some have had good success with the Feather Popular as well, but it has a large portion of plastic in it's build.

It seems that Shaveabuck has the best price on it:

Buy Ming Shi for $12.99 @ Shaveabuck

 

[mr-razor]

yes, it´s a Knack:

 

[mrozowjj]

The only current production Butterfly/ Twist to Open razor I can recommend is the Ming Shi razor, which shaves very similar to a vintage Gillette Superspeed. Some have had good success with the Feather Popular as well, but it has a large portion of plastic in it's build.

No luck with the Parkers?

 

[T Rick]

No luck with the Parkers?

What about more vintage Gillette's? You're using one of the last in generations of DE's made by a company that invented and then re-invented the DE bladed razor. There are lots of great examples available, if you shop right and are willing to clean them up, for less money than the moderate quality TTO (twist to open, or butterfly) razors on the market now. And they've got tons of history, and a built in "cool" factor .

 

[mrozowjj]

What about more vintage Gillette's? You're using one of the last in generations of DE's made by a company that invented and then re-invented the DE bladed razor. There are lots of great examples available, if you shop right and are willing to clean them up, for less money than the moderate quality TTO (twist to open, or butterfly) razors on the market now. And they've got tons of history, and a built in "cool" factor .

There's so many models out there I wouldn't even know where to begin, what to look for or how much to pay. I'm confused enough as it is based on the current models out there. I don't understand what is desirable about certain razors. Hell I don't understand what an open comb provides vs a closed comb. (I don't even know if closed is the proper term)

 

[cooncatbob]

I didn't originally like the Knack/Slim Twist design, but now I think it's rather elegant.
It's also the only TTO that lends it's self toward customizing, with a heavier handle I find they shave rather like my mid 50s Aristocrat, which is a great shaving nonadjustable TTO.

 

[mrozowjj]

Those are custom handles? Where'd you get them made?

 

[DonOhio]

beautiful new handles, Bob!!!

 

[faster_than_u]

Those are custom handles? Where'd you get them made?

He makes handles

 

[cfriend]

Great. Another BRW Custom that I need.

 

[SmoovD]

beautiful new handles, Bob!!!

+1