Gillette English Flat Bottom
Today was shave two with this incredible razor. I got this one off of a Dutch equivalent to eBay and it was very nearby from where I live, so all I had to do was drive out and get my razor. No postage problems! It came in an original small green case. Outer appearance is decent for its age, but the inside has seen better days. I have not bothered to make a picture of it, because there is not much to see on the inside. If you look really really close, you can still see the Gillette logo.
Now the razor itself is anything but showing its age. It is absolutely stunning (I believe). I have taken hires pictures so you can see for yourself:
View attachment 1498343View attachment 1498344View attachment 1498345
Plating is still superb and shiny with only one or two blemishes on the handle. I cleaned her with dish washer soap, some warm water and 75%-alcolhol for sanitation. Minor war on the baseplate where the handle and plate meet. I use washers so that will not increase anymore.
Here she is (dis)assembled in the stand I made and varnished today (the little hole is too accommodate the post from the cap):
View attachment 1498358View attachment 1498359
Shave-wise this is the definition of safety razor. I have the impression that getting a weeper or a nick with this razor is almost impossible. I did manage however, but that was because of a prior shave and a run out blade rather than the razor.
It is extremely intuitive to use and I found the angle in no time (steep - which is how I like it anyway). Two passes gets me to DFS/BBS- and three passes is bliss. It’s now 13 hours or so past my shave and stubble has just started to appear. It worked well with a Shark Chrome and I have a Dorco ST300HQ ready for tomorrow. I also received some recommendations from David @never-stop-learning which I will be following up on in future periods.
The fat handle is hollow making this a very light razor and the lightest razor in my collection. I did not weigh her but she feels slightly lighter than my Piccolo (even though that is solid). I can see why a handle by Doug @Rosseforp would go very nicely with the head.
The lightness did not put me off. And that has to do with its effectiveness during the shave. The Flat Bottom combines efficiency from the prewar Tech with the comfort of the postwar Tech. And it simply shaves amazing. I just want to keep using it! Is this would have been my first razor I would not have developed RAD and have multiple razors for basically the same job (and the question to trigger many conversations in my household. That and I can never say ANYTHING about her bags or shoes).
This is a fun razor for both beginners and experienced shaves. It depends more on the blade you are using and the number of passes you need. Speaking of blades: blade alignment is spot on. No Fatip exercises in zen blade placement here. Pop in the blade and done. After all this is a razor from one of the largest blade manufacturers in the world - of course it is going to align properly. Blade overhang is present and manageable.
If you are able to get one at a reasonable price simply do it - you will have a smile shave every morning. I know I do.
Today was shave two with this incredible razor. I got this one off of a Dutch equivalent to eBay and it was very nearby from where I live, so all I had to do was drive out and get my razor. No postage problems! It came in an original small green case. Outer appearance is decent for its age, but the inside has seen better days. I have not bothered to make a picture of it, because there is not much to see on the inside. If you look really really close, you can still see the Gillette logo.
Now the razor itself is anything but showing its age. It is absolutely stunning (I believe). I have taken hires pictures so you can see for yourself:
View attachment 1498343View attachment 1498344View attachment 1498345
Plating is still superb and shiny with only one or two blemishes on the handle. I cleaned her with dish washer soap, some warm water and 75%-alcolhol for sanitation. Minor war on the baseplate where the handle and plate meet. I use washers so that will not increase anymore.
Here she is (dis)assembled in the stand I made and varnished today (the little hole is too accommodate the post from the cap):
View attachment 1498358View attachment 1498359
Shave-wise this is the definition of safety razor. I have the impression that getting a weeper or a nick with this razor is almost impossible. I did manage however, but that was because of a prior shave and a run out blade rather than the razor.
It is extremely intuitive to use and I found the angle in no time (steep - which is how I like it anyway). Two passes gets me to DFS/BBS- and three passes is bliss. It’s now 13 hours or so past my shave and stubble has just started to appear. It worked well with a Shark Chrome and I have a Dorco ST300HQ ready for tomorrow. I also received some recommendations from David @never-stop-learning which I will be following up on in future periods.
The fat handle is hollow making this a very light razor and the lightest razor in my collection. I did not weigh her but she feels slightly lighter than my Piccolo (even though that is solid). I can see why a handle by Doug @Rosseforp would go very nicely with the head.
The lightness did not put me off. And that has to do with its effectiveness during the shave. The Flat Bottom combines efficiency from the prewar Tech with the comfort of the postwar Tech. And it simply shaves amazing. I just want to keep using it! Is this would have been my first razor I would not have developed RAD and have multiple razors for basically the same job (and the question to trigger many conversations in my household. That and I can never say ANYTHING about her bags or shoes).
This is a fun razor for both beginners and experienced shaves. It depends more on the blade you are using and the number of passes you need. Speaking of blades: blade alignment is spot on. No Fatip exercises in zen blade placement here. Pop in the blade and done. After all this is a razor from one of the largest blade manufacturers in the world - of course it is going to align properly. Blade overhang is present and manageable.
If you are able to get one at a reasonable price simply do it - you will have a smile shave every morning. I know I do.
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- that’s how I also made my stand for my Fatips from the same log (the Tech got the last part). Little bit of varnish et voila.
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