Is this worth restoring?

[Craigbob]

I picked up this Gillette open comb DE a few months ago in an antique shop. At the time I didn't notice it had a crack in the handle.

I went to check it out over the weekend and see if it was something I would use, which is when I saw the crack.

Is it worth restoring? If so, who would be the best choice to fix it? I've had a couple of restorations done by RazorEmporium, and they were ok.

I was very surprised to find that it had blades included. The old Gillette Blue blades. I wonder if they're still usable.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[lasta]

Head is fine, use as is or polish it up.

Handle is gone, hollow ball-ends always crack. Pick up another vintage Gillette with a common bar (those don't crack).

 

[CCS]

The handle is an obvious issue but, yes, I think it's worth restoring if you can afford to.

 

[Gryffindor]

You could consider the RE replica as a replacement (that won’t crack again).

 

[HazMat Shaver]

You can google how to repair the crack. I've done a couple. Epoxy and a piece of all-thread stuffed inside the handle. Clamp well and let set up. Then you have added a little weight to it and your set will still be complete. I wouldn't use the blades. Try to find some Blues still in the wrapper and put them in the set. Use the razor as I use all of mine. Even if they are in a set.

 

[Jim99]

You can google how to repair the crack. I've done a couple. Epoxy and a piece of all-thread stuffed inside the handle. Clamp well and let set up. Then you have added a little weight to it and your set will still be complete. I wouldn't use the blades. Try to find some Blues still in the wrapper and put them in the set. Use the razor as I use all of mine. Even if they are in a set.

+1 on the handle fix. The rest of the razor just needs a good cleaning and it’s good to go.

 

[Craigbob]

Head is fine, use as is or polish it up.

Handle is gone, hollow ball-ends always crack. Pick up another vintage Gillette with a common bar (those don't crack).

I'm not familiar with the "common bar" can you please explain?

 

[Craigbob]

You could consider the RE replica as a replacement (that won’t crack again).

I'm not familiar with them, where could I get one?

 

[lasta]

I'm not familiar with the "common bar" can you please explain?

The fourth from left:

 

[Craigbob]

You can google how to repair the crack. I've done a couple. Epoxy and a piece of all-thread stuffed inside the handle. Clamp well and let set up. Then you have added a little weight to it and your set will still be complete. I wouldn't use the blades. Try to find some Blues still in the wrapper and put them in the set. Use the razor as I use all of mine. Even if they are in a set.

I do have aan almost full set of blue blades still in the wrappers, the 3rd picture shows them. There was one unwrapped Personna blade on the top of them, but the rest are paper wrapped dark blue blades like in the picture.

 

[nemo]

... hollow ball-ends always crack. Pick up another vintage Gillette with a common bar (those don't crack).

Want to bet? Not the "common" but still.

 

[HDSledge]

Nope.

 

[BigJ]

You can google how to repair the crack. I've done a couple. Epoxy and a piece of all-thread stuffed inside the handle. Clamp well and let set up. Then you have added a little weight to it and your set will still be complete. I wouldn't use the blades. Try to find some Blues still in the wrapper and put them in the set. Use the razor as I use all of mine. Even if they are in a set.

+1! This^

 

[Invicta]

Is it worth restoring?

Probably not but I would think about an epoxy repair to that handle which is a common defect in the ball end handles. The razor looks in good condition.

 

[bobmsp]

I’ve used this technique with success:

Tutorial: Repair cracked handles/shafts in Gillette Old Types etc.

Hello fellow shavers! I have acquired several razors with cracked handles but could not find any in-depth tutorials on how to repair them. Here is how I fix them. My hope is to give back a little to this great site. As with my “Repair Stripped Threads” thread...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[Craigbob]

Thanks All, I'll order the RE replacement handle, and do some clean up and sanitizing of the head before I use it.

Does anyone know how agressive this razor is? My comprables are Merkur Adjustable on 4, Merkur 34C long handle, 1963 Gillette Slim Adjustable (on 3 otherwise it's too agressive) and my daily driver, a 1959 Fatboy on 5 usually with Feather blades.

 

[FarmerTan]

Thanks All, I'll order the RE replacement handle, and do some clean up and sanitizing of the head before I use it.

Does anyone know how agressive this razor is? My comprables are Merkur Adjustable on 4, Merkur 34C long handle, 1963 Gillette Slim Adjustable (on 3 otherwise it's too agressive) and my daily driver, a 1959 Fatboy on 5 usually with Feather blades.

Just be gentle with the gold wash my friend!

 

[ShaverAZ]

Head is fine, use as is or polish it up.

Handle is gone, hollow ball-ends always crack. Pick up another vintage Gillette with a common bar (those don't crack).

I've got 3 Goodwills and several Old Types with Ball End Handles - none have cracks.

 

[lasta]

I've got 3 Goodwills and several Old Types with Ball End Handles - none have cracks.

You are a lucky man!

Every one of the hollow multi-piece ball ends I've come across have cracked. Old types, News, Goodwills, Tuckaway, even 3 piece razors like New Improved/Deluxe...

But 2 common bars and 2 fat handles have held up fine.

 

[ShaverAZ]

Thanks All, I'll order the RE replacement handle, and do some clean up and sanitizing of the head before I use it.

Does anyone know how agressive this razor is? My comprables are Merkur Adjustable on 4, Merkur 34C long handle, 1963 Gillette Slim Adjustable (on 3 otherwise it's too agressive) and my daily driver, a 1959 Fatboy on 5 usually with Feather blades.

The Razor Emporium replica handle looks like this:

Consider first looking around on Etsy.com for old, cruddy Old Types. Many have Ball End handles without cracks that can be replated. Backroads Gold replated an old junk handle (uncracked) from a $10 Old Type that looks great!