What is the expected life of a DE razor that is not abused? I know that most of the vintage gillettes have probally lasted through the shaving life of one person. Could this same razor last a second lifetime? I've got a duplicate of a couple razors and would like to consider getting rid of one of them so I could buy something new, but I fear the one I keep breaking in some way. Is this a legitmit worry?
Razor life
- Thread starter jasonboyd
- Start date
It is felt and understood that many of the vintage pieces can last many lifetimes. The same, I'm sure, could be said of newer ones as well. They're built to last.
The three piece Gillette models (Tech, New, Old) are going to last forever, as there is pretty much nothing to break on them.
The one piece Gillette models are extremely well built, and are very durable, however, since they do have moving parts, one would expect they might eventually require maintenance/ repair.
I respectfully disagree.
The build quality, and standards of excellence of the current crop of razors is vastly different from that of the vintage Gillette's. The new crop of razors are being made out of lesser quality materials, and simply won't be able to take the same level of abuse that a vintage Gillette can.
Oh and let me change my response....
The one pieces can break. I had a slim that quit adjusting. It still shaved well, but did not adjust properly.
The one pieces can break. I had a slim that quit adjusting. It still shaved well, but did not adjust properly.
Any razor, given proper care, is going to last longer than anyone really needs to worry about. If you do break one, there will be plenty of replacements available, unless it is one of the rarer Gillette models.
old ones, treated well, will last indefinately
new ones, even treated well, will break - the plastic parts will fatigue and die
new ones, even treated well, will break - the plastic parts will fatigue and die
- Thread starter
- #7
I've got a 3 piece that is broke. The threads in the handle are stripped out. It was that way when I got it, but I wanted it anyhow. Good parts for a Frankenrazor. So I'm more worried about trouble from a 3 piece. I've got a piece of a muzzleloader patch with it screwed together now, which I think makes the treads tight enough that I could shave with it, but it wouldn't be a piece to sell IMO.
I shaved the other day with a Gillette that is 102 years old.
That my friend, is build quality.
They certainly do NOT make 'em like they used to.
That my friend, is build quality.
They certainly do NOT make 'em like they used to.
By the time the vintage razors really start wearing out due to use and attrition through accidents and disposal, technology will be so vastly different than it is today that rebuilding them to original condition, or building exact duplicates, may be possible.
I think if I take care of them, they will last my lifetime! DE doesn't worry me much, straight, the scales might need to be changed eventually...
Two of my razors are over fifty years old, and a third is seventy years old. There is something truly charming in such knowledge. Enjoy your vintage kit and take care of it, and you'll be fine. 
FWIW the Gillette I use the most is about 85 years old, probably out of warranty now but still shaving strong. If your razors are all metal Gillettes and in good nick there probably isn`t a modern razor that will outlast them. The only two exceptions to this that I`m aware of are the IKONs or CCB`s Bulldog (sp?) razors.
Stephen.
Stephen.
I wouldn't technically call that "broken", having grown up in a machine shop, I know that re-threading the handle is a simple, easy, and low cost job. However, since Techs can be had for next to nothing, it's probably not worth it.
In fact if you are a DIY type of person, you could trying melting a small amount of solder into the threads, which should in theory tighten up the threads.
Another possibility would be to place some plumbing tape around the threads of the head, which would accomplish the same goal of making the threads tighter.
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