I think I found something unique

[DickW]

I was scouring through an antique store today and the lady working at the front case showed me a few different straight razors they had on hand, nothing that I was going to pay money for. So I wondered around this huge shop for about 20 minutes and then made my way back to the front case. There was a man working this time so I asked him if he knew of any other vintage or shaving supplies they might have. He quickly pulled out an older Gillette safety razor and I agreed to purchase it, I couldn't resist the $6(no sales tax in Oregon and paid cash for it immediately. Aside from a crack in the handle everything else looked to be in working order. I also picked up a nice leather vintage carrying case, not everything fits exact, but I thought it to be a nice nostalgic look to fit the utensils it holds.

The 1st thing I did when I got home tonight was take it all apart so I could try and identify what razor this actually is. I found a "Pat.Jan.13.20 USA" on the bottom of the handle and found a serial number on the head that reads in uneven spacing, "419488C". So I spent the next hour or so searching the intragooglewebs so as to identify what razor I just proudly purchased.

Here's the specs:

Serial# 419488C
Label on Handle: Pat.Jan.13.1920 USA
Handle: .8 oz (25g)
Head: .7 oz (21g)
Body: 1.2 oz (35g)
Total Weight: 2.8 oz (80g)
Length: 8cm
Head Width: 4cm

From what I've been able to gather this might be a 1921 "New & Improved" model and was sold under the names New Standard, Bostonian, Aristocrat, Richwood, or Chippendale. I guess the case will differentiate which name it was sold under. If you or anyone you know can identify this, I would sure like to know. I'll post another picture below, this razor comes apart differently from others I've found. I did find a good webpage full of serial numbers, but this serial number doesn't look like other razors and comes apart completely different.

Now most importantly I am asking for recommendations on cleaning and making it look shiny and new. There is a 1/2cm crack at the top of the handle, I'm not sure if that is going to be a problem, can be fixed, leave it alone, or if there are some precautions when using the razor(regarding water, etc). Basically, I'd like to restore this if it's worth something and make it a regular shaver. I appears to be fairly tarnished and I'm not sure what to use to clean and polish it?

 

[amishmotorboat]

Your research would appear to be correct, except I think the Aristocrat had the same pattern all the way down the handle to the knob, whereas the others had the knurling like yours.

It comes apart the way the earliest Gillette's did.

The crack is common, something about improper annealing. This style doesn't have the same problem as a ball end handle, where the head would actually be in danger of falling off as you rinse. Because the knob is holding the cap on, the crack in the handle is just a cosmetic issue.

 

[DickW]

Here's a few more pics of the dis-assembled razor, maybe this will help

I've got a custom made strop coming from a friend, I'll post some pics of it when it arrives.

 

[j19bill]

Nice find! I never get anything at the antique store around me.

 

[Blue58]

I am not sure what to use to clean it but I do know they clean up very nicely and are good shaver as many other B&B members said about this razor. Great find and great price

 

[DickW]

I just read the review on this particular razor. My findings are slowly being confirmed. I've really struck out at the local antique places, but this particular trading post is off the beaten path and chock full of just about everything nostalgic. I could have spent another 2-3 hours just roaming around. Having found 3 straights and this little gem is my first bit of luck with the antique stores. I plan on going back to pick up "The Crown and Sword Razor, Extra Hollow Grind". It was in good shape and I think I can make it shave ready with a little elbow grease.

Hey Josh! How do you like your Crown and Sword, I saw a pic of the aforementioned straight you posted on a certain social networking site.

As far as cleaning goes I found some information that stated the following, "Spent an hour cleaning with tooth paste, silver polish and finally brasso". I don't believe this to be silver so I'll skip on that one. But the Brasso seems to be more for what I'm looking for. I believe it will give the razor a nice new polish, but I'm still not sure how to get rid of the all the green tarnish, not sure if the toothpaste or Brasso will remove that? Kind of hard to get to, it's mostly in the comb and underside of the head. I don't think the head can be taken apart anymore than what the pics show.

So I'm still looking for ways to clean, polish, etc. I'll keep searching, but if anyone has something that works like magic, please let me know.

Thanks for the comments everyone, they are much appreciated.

 

[kg4ghn]

I have one just like that, it is a great shaver. Has a nice weight to it.

 

[DickW]

Scrubbing bubbles you say, hhhmmm

Nice score. It appears the serial number ends with the letter C, dating it to 1929. Scrubbing Bubbles / toothbrush is the safest choice. The razor is brass and was originally gold plated. Brasso can remove the plating if you polish to hard. Very nice find. I love this razor, they shave great, albeit a little on the aggressive side.
Mike

 

[DickW]

I put the Scrubbing Bubbles and Brasso to the work the other night, completely removed all the tarnish and stains on this DE Razor. Even worked into the combs and removed all the green buildup. Both items were found in the kitchen clean department at a local store, easy to find, cheap, and I'm completely satisfied with the outcome.

Had to work the scrubbing bubbles through a number of cycles, but after about 45m minutes there was a significant difference.

Finished product:
View attachment 134210

Before Scrubbing Bubbles and Brasso:
View attachment 134211

 

[pauls51]

Nice work... Comes out a treat!

 

[joshmpdx]

Gorgeous!! That is, IMHO one of the best looking razors Gillette made.

How do you like the shave? If i recall correctly she was pretty aggressive.

 

[joshmpdx]

Hey Josh! How do you like your Crown and Sword, I saw a pic of the aforementioned straight you posted on a certain social networking site.

DC, i really like the C&S, mine is a pretty beefy full hollow and takes a great smooth edge.

Let's see a shot of the one you've snagged.

 

[DickW]

I'm going to pick it up the C&S tomorrow on my drive down south. I'll post a pic of it when I get back.

I actually found a few of the C&S back in Idaho too. There were 2 C&S straights that had custom scales. One was ivory with a mermaid carved into it (very cool looking) and the other was what appeared to be made of tortoise shell. These 2 were particularly expensive ($150-200) each).

I came across approximately 25-30 straights at the antique mall in Boise and this was only in the first 15 minutes of roaming around(this place is huge). There's a great variety in straights, DE, scales and pricing. Not only were there standard straights but also quite a few of the changeable blade styles. They also had some DE razors that looked like they took a bigger than normal blade. I passed on the DE's, but might send my sister back over to pick one up so I can add it to the already growing collection

There were also a bunch of straights (with original boxes) that were in the $30-90 range. Found a bunch of manufacturers that I have never heard of too. I didn't get any pictures or buy any because I arrived about 15 minutes before the place closed and those little old ladies really wanted to get home. That and there were only a couple people working and it was hard to find anyone to open any of the cases so I could inspect them a little closer.

So if you know of anyone that's over in that neck of the woods, send them over to http://www.antiqueworldmall.com/ (Boise, Idaho). Also found a guy in La Grande Oregon who was selling 5 DE vintage razors, a vintage brush, and a huge stack of blades for $12! He didn't get back to me in time so I missed him on my drive back through there....would have been a great early Christmas Present.

DC, i really like the C&S, mine is a pretty beefy full hollow and takes a great smooth edge.

Let's see a shot of the one you've snagged.

 

[DickW]

Yes, it's a fairly aggressive shave. As my status in the wet shaving world is listed under rookie, I still need some more time to figure it out the technique too. It's coming along...slowly. Still waiting on my strop from Chuck D so I can start using the straight again. I guess I could use newspaper?

I actually got a better shave with the plastic Wilkinson DE but I'm going to keep on working with the Gillette from here on out. I like the heavier weight.

Also going to switch to the Gillette 7 o'clock blades this time around, the Wilkinson Sword Blades gave me some serious razor burn on my chin and corners of my mouth and seemed to get fairly dull after 2 shaves. I'll check those ones off my list.

Gorgeous!! That is, IMHO one of the best looking razors Gillette made.

How do you like the shave? If i recall correctly she was pretty aggressive.

 

[joshmpdx]

Yes, it's a fairly aggressive shave. As my status in the wet shaving world is listed under rookie, I still need some more time to figure it out the technique too. It's coming along...slowly. Still waiting on my strop from Chuck D so I can start using the straight again. I guess I could use newspaper?

I actually got a better shave with the plastic Wilkinson DE but I'm going to keep on working with the Gillette from here on out. I like the heavier weight.

Also going to switch to the Gillette 7 o'clock blades this time around, the Wilkinson Sword Blades gave me some serious razor burn on my chin and corners of my mouth and seemed to get fairly dull after 2 shaves. I'll check those ones off my list.

Make sure Charles gives you a few of his Crystal blades, he's got a ton and they're super smooth.

 

[mharris127]

I actually got a better shave with the plastic Wilkinson DE but I'm going to keep on working with the Gillette from here on out. I like the heavier weight.

Those plastic razors they sell in India actually work, huh? I was tempted to try one. Maybe I will.

 

[DickW]

Believe it or not, it actually gave a great shave. I had to sand down some of the plastic mold that was kind of sharp on one side, no other problems besides that. The handle is a light metal wrapped in a plastic, so it has some weight to it and provides a good non-slip grip with the 48 slotted holes.
Total Weight - 43grams
Handle - 40grams

The head is all plastic and is a bit lighter so a bit more pressure is needed for shaving. All in all it does produce a good shave.

Wilkinson DE with a Fleet Blade and CO Bigelow Shave Cream
.

Those plastic razors they sell in India actually work, huh? I was tempted to try one. Maybe I will.

The Wilkinson DE is located on the lower left.
View attachment 134256

Small arrows indicate areas that need to be sanded down, some small plastic is still visible but no longer bothers me
View attachment 134262

Reads "Wilkinson Sword" on the head
View attachment 134258

Simple removal of head for cleaning and blade replacement
View attachment 134270

 

[mharris127]

That is kind of neat. I would have taken that protruding plastic off with my jack knife, but whatever works for you. There is a bay vendor selling plastic Lazer brand plastic DE razors for a dollar each including a blade. They also make small electronics for the American market such as calculators and small flashlights.

 

[DickW]

Guess I could have used a razor blade

That is kind of neat. I would have taken that protruding plastic off with my jack knife, but whatever works for you. There is a bay vendor selling plastic Lazer brand plastic DE razors for a dollar each including a blade. They also make small electronics for the American market such as calculators and small flashlights.