(Re)Visting the Tech

[Kevan]

Not so long ago, after trying a British NEW, and a Slim and Fatboy on all sorts of settings, I came to the premature conclusion that while they were beautiful and well-built, Gillettes were overrated shavers (I say premature because I never tried a Superspeed). I got way better results with my Slant and the new Muhle/EJ head. I gave my Fatboy away and for some reason my Slim broke (the bottom twist goes about 1/4 turn and stops, so I can't open the silo doors at all) so when I got the itch the other day to try a Gillette again, I suddenly remembered that I found a 1956 ball-end Tech for $1.99 at an antique store last year. The thing was in great condition for its age (the Gillette logo on the head cap is nearly pristine save for a tiny ding), but I never used it because I thought it would be too mild for me. I'm used to mowing through my beard

Well, I used it tonight for the first time, and I must say that the little thing performed admirably. I was reminded of the recent commercials for the Fusion MVP, in which Gillette touts that it's the perfect razor for sensitive skin. Well, Gillette should just give in and start producing a cheap-o version of the Tech again because it's impossible to irritate yourself with this thing unless you throw it at your face, and impossible to cut yourself with it unless you're drunk.

I wouldn't recommend trying to tackle 4 days' worth of beard growth with the Tech but on 2 days' growth, it worked like a charm for me in 3 passes. I achieved a very mild and comfortable DFS much to my surprise. The only thing I don't like about it is that the knurling on the handle doesn't do much for grip so I might put the head on the handle of my British NEW. And I wish it was heavier.

So overall a good experience and it has me wondering if I should take another crack at Gillette TTO's as well -- if I can somehow salvage my Slim.

 

[BBrad]

Nobody ever got hurt shaving with a Tech . . .

The various handles make for different results. I also do not like the ball handle (or the fluted version) - just doesn't feel right in my hand. I do, however, like the bar handle and the bakelite version. That being said, the best Tech shave isn't as close as my Aristocrat . . . but boy, is it gentle!!

Any Super Speed will perform on par with a Tech - smooth and gentle, but not BBS without extra passes.

One of the guys mentioned a loose TTO knob - this can happen on occasion and will turn the tamest TTO into a blood-thirsty beast!!

 

[Kevan]

I had to look up what an Aristocrat was....wow what a pretty shaver! How do these (and Milord etc) differ from a Superspeed? Just aesthetics?

 

[njpaddy]

I had to look up what an Aristocrat was....wow what a pretty shaver! How do these (and Milord etc) differ from a Superspeed? Just aesthetics?

A 40's style Superspeed is my razor of choice for a nice mild CCS shave. It's just about impossible to cut or irritate yourself with it and I usually shave faster and use a little more pressure than my other razors. Today I tried a 48-50 Aristocrat I just picked up. I'm thinking it's just a SS with a fatter handle and proceeded to shave like it was my SS. Big mistake. No weepers, but plenty of razor burn. The SS may be one of the mildest DE's, but I would say the Aristocrat compares with a Fatboy set at #5. The Red Personna is my go-to blade, but it was horrible in the Aristocrat. NOTE TO SELF FOR NEXT TIME: Sharper blade, slow and no pressure.

 

[Kevan]

Do you guys think my Slim (with the knob that only turns 1/4 of the way and no more) is broken permanently or could I fix it somehow? No matter how hard I try, the knob won't unscrew any more than 1/4 of the way -- what seems like the final quarter-turn when you tighten the knob down as the doors close.

 

[njpaddy]

Do you guys think my Slim (with the knob that only turns 1/4 of the way and no more) is broken permanently or could I fix it somehow? No matter how hard I try, the knob won't unscrew any more than 1/4 of the way -- what seems like the final quarter-turn when you tighten the knob down as the doors close.

If it's a gunk problem, check out this thread, esp post #42. But read thru the whole thread first to see if someone else has a better idea. Some of these tips will take out the paint in the #'s. Also somewhere there's a thread on partial dis-assembly of a fatboy to clean, but I don't know if it works on a slim. Use that as a last resort. Try the cleaning/soaking tips first.

Edit: disassemble thread here

 

[mark_mw]

Quote "Nobody ever got hurt shaving with a Tech . . ."

But the real question is....

"did anyone ever get a shave from a Tech?"

 

[Kevan]

Quote "Nobody ever got hurt shaving with a Tech . . ."

But the real question is....

"did anyone ever get a shave from a Tech?"

Coming from a guy who, once I used a Slant, considered all other safety razors sub-par, I can tell you that I got a DFS in 3 passes from a Tech when I used it today. So....it's possible.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

I got a very nice shave in 2, so I guess 3 would make at least DFS+ (see my thread "Feather, measure of all blades, part 2 the Tech")

 

[Pumpkin]

Quote "Nobody ever got hurt shaving with a Tech . . ."

But the real question is....

"did anyone ever get a shave from a Tech?"

I regularly get nice close shaves from my Tech (fat handle)! Usually 3 passes. My British Tech with aluminium handle did it in 4. They're mild so you do need a sharp blade...I load Feathers.

 

[drandall]

of all the razors i own, the tech is the one whose demeanor changes most noticeably when you change the blade.

with a red IP, the tech wouldn't nick a daisy. with a swede or yellow 7, it becomes far more potent

the fat-handled tech is one of my very favorite razors. cheap as dirt. common. not much to look at...but that combination of thin profile head, bulletproof design and ease of use makes it a winner.

everyone should try a tech. IMHO...

 

[Kevan]

The Slim was rescued. Pliers and a lot of torque freed the blockage, or whatever was keeping the knob from turning. I'll give it a clean tonight but for now, it's opening and closing as smoothly as it probably did when new.