So I saw this razor...

[brad1201]

Yesterday I was out and about after work and stopped in a local antique shop and I saw what appeared to be a very old gold plated open comb DE. I still dont know what it is after looking all over the B&B wiki and googling everything I can think of. It had a capped end on the handle and the handle was pretty thin. from the research it looks like maybe a gillette new improved..? I really dont know. It had some rust and chipping on the plating, it was only 6 bucks though so i may go grab it and see if i cant make it shine. thoughts on what it might be? i know i gave very little detail, I even used the gillette id guide on the B&B wiki and still dont know. the end of the handle doesnt look like any of the ones i saw on there.

I know this isn't the appropriate forum, but while I'm here I also saw what was labeled as an old George Wastenholm 1XL straight razor. it was 35 and I didnt even take it out of the display cause I have no interest in straights but i figured if it was underpriced i could at least get it and maybe one day I would be interested in giving it a try. obviously you cant know whether its worth it because you dont know the condition but at 35 is it worth it if its in good condition?

 

[kingfisher]

If it was a Gillette New Improved it would have a relatively thicker handle, and there would be a diamond pattern in the handle knurling. I don't know what you mean by a cap on the handle; I'm wondering if you are describing a ball end? If it is a thin handle and has a ball end, and it has an open comb it could be an Old Type or it could be a NEW.

Look at the baseplate of the razor when you go back. The Old Type has a curved baseplate, but the baseplate of the NEW is essentially flat. Go to www.mr-razor.com to look at pictures.

 

[brad1201]

If it was a Gillette New Improved it would have a relatively thicker handle, and there would be a diamond pattern in the handle knurling. I don't know what you mean by a cap on the handle; I'm wondering if you are describing a ball end? If it is a thin handle and has a ball end, and it has an open comb it could be an Old Type or it could be a NEW.

Look at the baseplate of the razor when you go back. The Old Type has a curved baseplate, but the baseplate of the NEW is essentially flat. Go to www.mr-razor.com to look at pictures.

Thanks for the help, there was definitely no diamond knurling, it was not a ball end. the difference between the handle that i saw and other handles is that the ones on mr-razor.com have knurling running horizontally in bands across the very bottom usually in a set of 3. the one i saw has no such bands, in fact it had no knurling on the very bottom of the handle at all. also, my mind says it had a curved baseplate, but I could be mistaken. does this help?

 

[mr-razor]

maybe a canadian Old Type?

 

[brad1201]

maybe a canadian Old Type?

dont think so. it didnt have a ball end. I saw an example somewhere, maybe on the BOTOC forum of what was labeled as a bar handled LC new that looked alot like it. that sound right?

 

[mr-razor]

dont think so. it didnt have a ball end. I saw an example somewhere, maybe on the BOTOC forum of what was labeled as a bar handled LC new that looked alot like it. that sound right?

I know no NEW without knurling. There are british Old Type Single Ring without knurling.

 

[brad1201]

I know no NEW without knurling. There are british Old Type Single Ring without knurling.

no no no, my other post said there is no knurling on the VERY BOTTOM of the handle, not the entire handle. sorry for the confusion. hope that helps. The reason I said that is because the old, new, and new improved gillette's on your site have it, and me in my limited knowledge look at all the details trying to match it.

Thanks.

 

[ironfist]

Excuse me if this seems offensive, but does it even say gillette on it?

 

[brad1201]

Excuse me if this seems offensive, but does it even say gillette on it?

not offensive at all, no it does not. or if it does, I didnt see it. it was pretty dirty. but like i said i have limited knowledge and everthing i looked at kept pointing back to it being a gillette. You think it could be something else?

 

[ironfist]

Most likely it would be stamped under the comb. I don't have much knowledge on razors im afraid, still learning myself For 6 bucks you can't go wrong.

 

[brad1201]

I agree, they also had an old GEM junior and a schick injector, but I'm not really interested in a collection, I just wanted a vintage DE to add to the my daily lineup.

 

[ironfist]

I agree, they also had an old GEM junior and a schick injector, but I'm not really interested in a collection, I just wanted a vintage DE to add to the my daily lineup.

That idea won't last long, i started out with 2-3, now im at 20+

 

[brad1201]

O man I only have 2, and its starting to eat at me. every time I see an aristocrat, i freak out a little inside, just cause they look so sick. I'm trying to hold out on the RAD, but I dont know how much more i can take.

 

[ironfist]

O man I only have 2, and its starting to eat at me. every time I see an aristocrat, i freak out a little inside, just cause they look so sick. I'm trying to hold out on the RAD, but I dont know how much more i can take.

I have both a 1947-48 Gold aristocrat (i think thats the date or round about then) and a #21 aristocrat, my favourites

 

[brad1201]

I have both a 1947-48 Gold aristocrat (i think thats the date or round about then) and a #21 aristocrat, my favourites

This feels like a RAD inducing ploy. Not cool bro. I'm just a lowly college student, with a girlfriend. I can't afford a severe case of RAD.

 

[ironfist]

Wahahaha! I'm only 22 myself! with a girlfriend who looks down on me buying razors haha!

 

[brad1201]

Wahahaha! I'm only 22 myself! with a girlfriend who looks down on me buying razors haha!

well sir, you've just become my inspiration. my gf is indifferent, at least for now, she just thinks its funny and calls me an old man. We'll see how long that last when we start eating ramen and I start getting razors in the mail. hehe

 

[ironfist]

Post of the day

 

[BBrad]

Oh, you young whipper-snappers!!! Wait until you get to be my age, and your wife still wonders why a man with only one face needs so many razors!

Brad, if you could get a picture of that razor I'm sure someone here can help you. Then again, for six dollars, how can you go wrong? (RAD enablement #1)

As to the question regarding the Wolstenholm - those are generally a good middle-of-the-road straight, and are well-regarded. $35 for a solid shaver is not out of line. By solid shaver, I mean no scale damage, tight pivot, blade square to the scales, minimal rust or pitting, NO pitting near the edge, minimal hone ware, no chips or cracks in the blade. The blade should also be close to the razor's original width - a 5/8 blade honed down to 3/8 is worthless. It probably won't be shave-ready, but will still be sharp enough to cut flesh. Again, pictures will help. If you are thinking about getting into straights (the cool factor is out of this world) I'd recommend Larry at Whipped Dog. He specializes in quality shaver-grade razors that are solid and ready to go. He can also fix you up with a strop kit so you can maintain your razor's edge. (RAD enablement #2)

See if your antique guy will let you take some pictures . . . even if you don't want the razors (but you probably will -#3) someone here might . . .