Old Gillette three piecers.

[humber burns]

I get kind of confused when talking about the three piece Gillettes. I'm looking for clerification because I want to get try some. So here are my question:

1. Do ball end techs come in both open and closed comb?
2. What is meant by old type?
3. Are News techs?
4. Which three piece razors come in open comb?
5. What is the most aggressive Gillette three piecer?

Sorry about all the questions but I think it would be bineficial for newbs (my self included) to have some clarification on this subject as it is quit confusing.

Kev

 

[PaulX608]

1. All Techs have solid bars. They were made from '39-'73 with several different handles.
2. The Old Type usually descirbes the 102 and 102a heads used from 1903 to 1929 with various handles. They have open combs
3. No, the New was an open comb three piece without the guide pins of the older designs. Made from '29 up until the war.
4. Old Type, New Improved, New.
5. I would say that the older Old types, used with todays blades, are the most aggressive three piece Gillettes in my experience but YMMV.

 

[humber burns]

Thanks that's great. That clears everything up!

 

[dbconlin]

Thanks, this is some really good info.

What is the difference between New and New Improved?

Are the handles of these 3-piece razors generally interchangeable? Specific models only? Not at all? I mean as far as taking the head pieces from one and screwing in a different model handle.

Thanks in advance!

-David

 

[Colphax]

Actually, I'd disagree about the agressiveness of the Old Type. Old Types were designed for the old style, three hole blades. Modern blades are much thinner, so much so that some guys will use old blades with the sharp edges cut off to "shim" the blade so that there is more blade exposure. A modern, unshimmed blade sits directly on the Old Style's comb. The NEW's baseplate design suspends the blade edge above the comb, so that there is more blade exposure, as well as a different blade angle.

From personal experience, my 1918 Old Type is milder than my NEW.

 

[r0ckrat]

Thanks, this is some really good info.

What is the difference between New and New Improved?

Are the handles of these 3-piece razors generally interchangeable?

-David

New Improved is only slightly different than the Old head - still uses the two post design. See linked image. "NEW" uses a bar along the center. Image of NEW.

Yes, the handles can be interchanged.

 

[humber burns]

Do you have to shim the old types? or can you get away without doing it?

 

[PaulX608]

I've had three Old types, never shimmed one and never had a problem.

 

[dbconlin]

New Improved is only slightly different than the Old head - still uses the two post design. See linked image. "NEW" uses a bar along the center. Image of NEW.

Yes, the handles can be interchanged.

Thanks!

Can the handle of a tech be interchanged with a NEW also?

 

[r0ckrat]

Yes.

As I have heard on this forum, many razors have been found with a tech's ball-end or other handle on an older head (both NEW and Old styles).

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Lovely, thoughtful thread. Thank you.

 

[Colphax]

Do you have to shim the old types? or can you get away without doing it?

You don't HAVE to (I don't). Modern, thin, stainless steel blades work just fine in Old Types. You would use a shim if you wanted to increase the blade gap for a more aggressive shave.