I just scored my first OC Aristocrat!!! It's a 1934 according to the sellers data on eBay. It just surfaced today, and I fell for it right away. The price was right for me too. Fortunately for me a good friend got it for me on his account due to some problems with my card. But none the less it's mine now! I have been wanting an OC Aristocrat for a long time, but mostly the British Aristocrats have only been available at a premium price. I have been unable to procure one till now. Did someone on this forum own it? If so is there any interesting history to it? It's a nice looking piece. I am sure I will enjoy it. It was only listed for a few hours today before I saw it on eBay. Is it true that most of these old Aristocrats have a little slop in the TTO? I noticed in the last photo that there is some slop/travel in the TTO knob. All in all I'm still happy about this razor!
OC Aristocrat
- Thread starter Morman Bridge
- Start date
If you're the one who landed this 1934 US TTO Aristocrat in ebay US, then well done and congrats! It's a nice razor set and I had it on my watch list and had been deliberating if I need to buy it or not, but glad that it landed into the hands of a B&B'er!
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- #3
Yes that's the one! I have noticed a few of these on the bay, but they always went high or fast. I wasn't quite ready, but I had to move or get shot down, so to speak. I can't wait to add it to my modest collection. And my shave rotation.
Just checked the last picture from the BIN auction you won. The last picture where the TTO knob has moved so far out does not look normal. Unfortunately I do not remember if movement of knob is normal for a 1934 US OC Aristocrat but can check it in my razor when I get home today evening. I will report back after I check my 1934 Aristocrat today evening.
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- #5
Thanks for the input. I'll be standing by!
that's beautiful - I reckon they're one of the best looking razors I've ever seen!
That should not happen. It's fixable, but you don't have to fix it if you don't want to. The way to fix it is: With the razor closed to eliminate the gap, use a pipe cutter with the cut off wheel dulled and gently tighten it while the dull wheel rolls around the indentation at the base. This will tighten the retaining groove and cause the razor to not have the gap.
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- #8
Domminigan, thanks for your input. Would tightening the screws in proper order fix it too? Or perhaps a type of crimping tool? I hesitate to use a pipe cutter on an expensive razor. But if I do use the pipe cutter method, should I use the tool on the bottom of the indentation right above the TTO knob? Or on the silo door side of the indentation?
Morman Bridge,
I checked two of my 1934 OC Aristocrats and I'm afraid I have some bad news: the knobs don't move out. In fact, the TTO knob on one of my OC aristocrats is slightly droopy and moves out, but only by 2 mm when I twist the TTO knob to open the TTO doors and nowhere near the amount of gap that is there in the razor you have purchased.
Here's the loose TTO knob as shown in the auction picture:
Here's a picture of my 1934 OC Aristocrat with the TTO doors open:
My OC Aristocrat is user grade with heavy plating loss and brassing (that I intend to replate in the near future) but the razor is in good working condition and as you can see, the TTO knob has not moved at all after opening the TTO doors.
If you have not paid for the item yet, you can check with the seller and inform him about the abnormally loose TTO knob.
Edit: A side note that the picture of my OC Aristocrat is of the one whose TTO knob is not droopy!
I checked two of my 1934 OC Aristocrats and I'm afraid I have some bad news: the knobs don't move out. In fact, the TTO knob on one of my OC aristocrats is slightly droopy and moves out, but only by 2 mm when I twist the TTO knob to open the TTO doors and nowhere near the amount of gap that is there in the razor you have purchased.
Here's the loose TTO knob as shown in the auction picture:
Here's a picture of my 1934 OC Aristocrat with the TTO doors open:
My OC Aristocrat is user grade with heavy plating loss and brassing (that I intend to replate in the near future) but the razor is in good working condition and as you can see, the TTO knob has not moved at all after opening the TTO doors.
If you have not paid for the item yet, you can check with the seller and inform him about the abnormally loose TTO knob.
Edit: A side note that the picture of my OC Aristocrat is of the one whose TTO knob is not droopy!
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- Thread starter
- #10
Thank you very much sir, I dare say I cannot return the item as the picture is part of the description. And the Seller does not accept returns anyway. Even though I did not notice this abnormality at the time I gave my friend the go ahead to buy this razor for me, it would be ungentlemanly and wrong of me not to go ahead with the previously made payment arrangements. Ii may not have a lot in this world, but my word is always good. It is the way of my father before me and mine too. All that having been said, I like the razor anyway and will either repair it myself , find someone to repair it, or use it for the most expensive fishing line weight in history!!! Thanks again for all your efforts my friend, and have a scotch in my stead!
You sir, sure is a gentleman that anyone would be proud to call their friend! However with regards to your razor, if they are good sellers, they would consider canceling the sale despite the "no returns" policy as it happened to me in this instance. That beautifully Rhodium plated 1934 Aristocrat came to me broken and the seller had stated "No returns or refunds" in the auction and also had mentioned that the razor is tight (but he did not mention that the head comes out!). However when I contacted the seller and explained the situation, he was more than helpful and agreed to take return and gave me a full refund, including the original shipping cost. Hence I would still suggest that you contact the seller and inform him of this issue and see what his response is.
I will gladly take you up on the offer of scotch though!
Congratulations on the beauty! They are very nice shavers.
- Thread starter
- #13
A quick note, I have been told by the seller that he will gladly refund the purchase price if there are problems with this razors TTO, but also that these early Aristocrats have a design flaw that causes the TTO knob to droop. I believe him because I've heard that before now. Although I do appreciate my fellow members input. I am certain I will enjoy this razor many years to come!
Morman Bridge,
Glad to know that the seller is a good person. If you're happy with the razor, enjoy it!
Glad to know that the seller is a good person. If you're happy with the razor, enjoy it!
Ever hear the saying measure twice cut once?
Im glad I bought my OC Aristocrat when I did since $149 is crazy when the razor has the dreadful "droopy TTO disease"
It can be fixed just so you know.
Best of luck
Im glad I bought my OC Aristocrat when I did since $149 is crazy when the razor has the dreadful "droopy TTO disease"
It can be fixed just so you know.
Best of luck
Prices sure have gone up on these. About 4 years ago I was the high bidder on an eBay auction and got one for $35
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- #17
Can anyone here at B&B refer me to someone who can repair it? I've seen several people state in thier posts that it can be fixed, maybe I could fix it myself with proper guidance. On fellow even briefly described a way to fix it, but I would like more input. Please post any ideas or knowledge about this "TTO droop syndrome". Thanks in advance, gentlemen.
It's pretty simple to fix. Above the knob there is a groove around the handle. I've saw two different methods to do this. In method one, a pipe cutter had the edge ground down so it was flat and would not cut. The wheel was placed in the groove, tightened down, and twisted around the handle. Tighten it again, twist it again. Etc, etc. After several twist around the handle, the droopsies was fixed. Method two, and the one I prefer, required a pair of pliers (vise grips, channel locks, etc) and the wire out of one of the big black paperclips. You know the ones I mean right? Take the wire from the paper clip, put it in the groove. Squeeze with the pliers and twist around the handle. Don't over muscle it, you can freeze it up. Several small twists are better than one big one. Droopsies repaired. Whatever the method you choose, you see what needs to be done: tighten the groove in the handle slightly around the innards of the handle.
- Thread starter
- #19
Thank you jBradley, I will probably use the paper clip wire method. Much appreciated.
No problem.
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