Help with info. on "Aristocrat"

[MacMitch]

So I won a bid on eBay, actually due to a newbie error. At any rate I ended up with a "Gillette Aristocrat" razor that I have been trying to research on Badger & Blade. I found many posts but they have not cleared up much in regard to what I bought. I was hoping someone with more specific knowledge might help me with a little more exact information regarding this razor and how well it might serve me shaving. I have not had any luck copying the photo in eBay but I think it is the razor in the picture below. There seem to have been quite a few "Aristocrats" over the years. The razor looks like a SS/TTO type razor with a few "upgraded" features. My razor appears to be in good condition, with minor wear marks, no/little loss of the gold color but some loss of what may be a clear finish.

The seller comments mention that he had not cleaned the razor for fear of harming the finish. So I am wondering what I might do to get it clean and operational. I do have Scrubbing Bubbles and alcohol.


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=63806&stc=1&d=1250968183

From post:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=100029&highlight=Gillette+Aristocrat


Thanks for the help,
Mitch

 

[Barbarian]

I recently found a similar razor and cleaned it up with some scrubbing bubbles and a toothbrush. I also used a toothpick for those hard to reach areas. You do need to be careful when scrubbing.

It cleaned up really well. I followed up with a q-tip with some mineral oil then a wipe with a soft cloth.

Scrubbing Bubbles is also an EPA registered disinfectant.

See here for an in-depth discussion of cleaning.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30131

Also read through all the stickys in the safety razor forum.

 

[greyalien]

This one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200373820586&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_6964wt_1167

I was watching it.... I love the '46-'47 aristocrats and i have one with a red case but Im a big fan of the blue/white cases too. I think this model with the two un-knurled bands is a better shaver than its successor with one un-knurled band above the tto knob.

The clear coat is a lacquer that protects the gold plating, its common for it to have some wear on the silo doors of a well used razor. Some cleaning methods can be harmful to the clear coat on gold razors (like boiling I believe), so read the stickys on cleaning but keep the gold plating in mind. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=30131

 

[ctakim]

I've used the early '40s, 46-47, and 48-51 versions of the gold TTO Aristocrats and they are some of my most favorite shavers. I can't tell much difference in much difference between them in how they shave.

 

[MacMitch]

Thanks for the help and links. I will check them all out. Glad to know that Scrubbing bubbles is an approved disinfectant.

The link below seems to work it is the one I won, not the one above. Thanks for the other link though. Maybe $39 was not a bad price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...037969&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_602wt_1167

 

[greyalien]

Looks nice!

 

[billc508]

Looks like a nice piece and I have heard people say the scrubbing bubbles cleaner is a good idea. I will pass this along to you, the owner of the plating facility where I get my gold razors redone told me not to use toothbrushes because the bristles are abrasive enough to leave tiny small scratches in the finish. A cotton or felt applicator is better because the cleaner will do the work of removing the dirt, gold plating used on the Gillette razors was pretty thin which is the reason for the lacquer coating. It gives extra lasting wear protection to the gold plate. I have my gold replated razors sprayed with lacquer for the same reason, I shave with them, if it's just for display, it probably does not matter so much. After so many years it's common to see the lacquer pretty much worn off so don't use power tools to clean because they generate heat which can burn through the plate and don't use solvents which can strip remaining lacquer and sometimes the plating itself, bc

 

[MacMitch]

Thanks for the insights Bill.
Isn't Scrubbing Bubbles a kind of solvent? I know it ate some wax coating off my counter. Maybe I should not SB the gold Aristocrat? I see Barbasol mentioned a great deal, maybe I will check some of my shaving vendor links and see if I can locate some Barbasol disinfectant. I think this is what I see barber shops soaking things in.

Scrubbing with Bubbles,
Mitch

 

[AsylumGuido]

Thanks for the insights Bill.
Isn't Scrubbing Bubbles a kind of solvent? I know it ate some wax coating off my counter. Maybe I should not SB the gold Aristocrat? I see Barbasol mentioned a great deal, maybe I will check some of my shaving vendor links and see if I can locate some Barbasol disinfectant. I think this is what I see barber shops soaking things in.

Scrubbing with Bubbles,
Mitch

Actually, it is Barbicide. You can also use Mar-V-Cide which is basically the same thing made by Marvy. They are strictly disinfectants and not used as cleaners. Scrubbing Bubbles is a soap scum remover that has disinfecting qualities, as well.

 

[ozzy_scl]

I remember a while ago I saw an aristocrat going for 90 pounds (that was when I just started with wetshaving) and I thought, wow! that's expensive.
Then I started to read about them, and many praised on them.
I bought me one, in nice user grade. ....


I still remember that shave, all the posts talking about its virtues came to my head, The Aristocrat is an active member of my weekly rotation, and remains one of my favorite.
I just bought a #19 and #21 this week, I can't wait to have them with me!

Congrats, mate, is a great razor, you'll get nice shaves with that one.

 

[koso]

I swear by Scrubbing Bubbles.

I normally like generic or store brand products, if they are the same chemical or ingredients.

Store brand, particularly the big store starting with 'W', foaming bathroom cleaner is not a disinfectant.

Stay with the name brand on this one.