My Giant Tech comparison thread

[DrStrange]

Brass is a copper-zinc/nickel alloy so my understanding is that the brass at the various manufacturing plants may have had different copper contents whereby some had a more copper color than brass.

With some Gillette gold plated razors, If you see a copper cap, it could be the gold plating has worn or been polished off. I am no expert but have been researching vintage Gillettes some so please anyone, correct me if I am wrong.

I agree.

I have Gillettes where the top cap is mostly gold with a little copper showing,
or half gold with the rest copper showing,
or all copper except for the gold concealed parts.

From left to right:

1950's Tech
New Long Comb
Goodwill 160
New Short Comb
Pre War Tech
another Goodwill 160

 

[Huntdad]

Great write up. Thank you! Love my pre-war Tech.

 

[Calyshaver]

I've read somewhere that the gold plated etched logo caps were Zamack -- is that a myth/misinformation? The seller told me this would be a Zamack cap but I thought zamack wasn't until the '64 and later carved logo caps?

That question had been burning in my mind too as the information about when zamak caps entered the line is spotty. Based on my research, the caps that have a sharp ridge on the underside of the cap are zamak. The ridge and grey dust on the threads where the plating has worn off are indicative of cast zinc products. The plain brass caps of prewar Techs have a smooth radius on the underside of the caps. Based on my findings, the etched caps are zamak/zinc (see below). The caps with the beveled ends and embossed or relief "Gillette" are also zamak with that information more readily available.

I decided to sacrifice this etched cap from a supposed 1950s Tech, as the threads were in tough shape. Before I cut it, I carved out a corner with a utility knife which produced the telltale silver base metal. At that point I was shocked and needed to proceed to more destructive investigative methods. It was super tough to cut and the fact that it had lasted this long gives me a better appreciation for zamak. But I would prefer the brass caps if giving a choice.

 

[cakaguna]

Great thread from the OP! Good comparison and information. Thanks for putting that together.

That question had been burning in my mind too as the information about when zamak caps entered the line is spotty. Based on my research, the caps that have a sharp ridge on the underside of the cap are zamak. The ridge and grey dust on the threads where the plating has worn off are indicative of cast zinc products. The plain brass caps of prewar Techs have a smooth radius on the underside of the caps. Based on my findings, the etched caps are zamak/zinc (see below). The caps with the beveled ends and embossed or relief "Gillette" are also zamak with that information more readily available.

I believe you are right. I’ve been looking at a lot of images, eBay, etsy, elsewhere - and when you can get good pictures of the threaded area on the cap, and see that wear that indicates it’s zamak, so far, always has that ridge, and they were all the frosted etched top surface.

I have a mid 1950s tech with the same zamak cap. Has the ridge, and of course some areas where the plating wore off and the gray dust. Threads are on the start of going bad, would have to be protected somehow from here on out. I’ll use it until it’s no good anymore, the other parts are just fine and will fit on others.

 

[jason2]

Were the contract techs zamack top caps too? My black cap contractor tech is awfully zamack looking in the worn out areas

 

[Alum Ladd]

Were the contract techs zamack top caps too? My black cap contractor tech is awfully zamack looking in the worn out areas

I strongly doubt if Techs made before the early 60's had any zamak components.

 

[nemo]

I strongly doubt if Techs made before the early 60's had any zamak components.

Contract Tech handles are a pot metal if I'm not mistaken. They're cast something.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Contract Tech handles are a pot metal if I'm not mistaken. They're cast something.

That's an interesting point Doug.

That would be the fluted ball end handled ones?

Maybe any CT owners could chime in on that.

The survivability rate of those CT handles seems suprisingly good for 77-78 year old zamak, also the shape of the castings seem quite elaborate for the time and the quality of zamak?

Not doubting your point just thinking out loud.

 

[jason2]

Here's my contractor tech. I had assumed the handle and top cap were zamak by the look of it and the bottom plate brass pre-war tech part.

I'm also curious why they had a S stamped under the bottom plate

 

[jason2]

Oh and magnets don't stick to them.

 

[Alum Ladd]

I'm also curious why they had a S stamped under the bottom plate

I had a crazed theory that "S" stood for steel. I think @nemo kindly indulged me on that one.

It turns out it stands for "Service", as the vast majority consensus stated.

 

[nemo]

Here's my contractor tech. I had assumed the handle and top cap were zamak by the look of it and the bottom plate brass pre-war tech part.

I'm also curious why they had a S stamped under the bottom plate

View attachment 1666874

I've heard of Zamak top caps on contract techs and yours seems to be one with that white metal showing through.
I'll do a test someday (non-destructive!) on some of mine.
Handles are definitely pressure cast zinc alloy although I've heard there are some rare brass ones.

The S is for Service (wartime issue)

That would be the fluted ball end handled ones?

Yes, I just checked a couple in the museum -- zamak. They have a whitish color and tell-tale gray powder inside on the threads. No verdigris where there's worn plating.

 

[Alum Ladd]

I've heard of Zamak top caps on contract techs and yours seems to be one with that white metal showing through.
I'll do a test someday (non-destructive!) on some of mine.
Handles are definitely pressure cast zinc alloy although I've heard there are some rare brass ones.

The S is for Service (wartime issue)


Yes, I just checked a couple in the museum -- zamak. They have a whitish color and tell-tale gray powder inside on the threads. No verdigris where there's worn plating.

Greatly appreciated Doug.

Thanks for advancing my knowledge as always.

B&B and it's folks are world class in knowledge and above all courtesy!