Striking Gold!

[Snargle]

I just checked out a local antique mall at lunchtime today. I've been there several times before, but never found anything other than a few beat-up, overpriced straights.

My luck changed today! For the whopping price of $5.09 (tax included) I walked out with a 1966 Gillette Aristocrat Adjustable and a 1930s gold-plated Gillette New. Both seem to be in excellent condition, in need of a little cleaning, but otherwise, plating is good (some light scratches on the head of the New), and mechanically perfect! The numbers on the Aristocrat are slightly faded, but the razor overall looks awesome.

Since both razors are gold-plated, what's the recommended cleaning method to remove the old soap scum? Is a soak in Scrubbing Bubbles and a good brushing with a toothbrush OK?

(Excuse the low-res cell phone photos...will post better once I get them home and clean them up)

 

[Trendkill]

Nice score!

 

[RUSHd]

very nice

 

[bakerbarber]

Excellent!!

Scrubbing Bubbles until it melts and then warm water rinse.

Use as little toothbrushing and buffing as possible. That Tech is nice, and will turn pink real quick if you rub too much or scrub too aggressively. Especially the cap. It's brass under the thinnest gold..

The Aristocrat I wouldn't be so careful with. usually the doors are the weakest link. The safety bar and the silo doors start to lose gold first. Love the knurling gold or not.

Many great shaves to come!!

EXCELLENT SCORE!!

 

[LiveOak]

I was lucky like that for quite a while, scoring razors for next to nothing. It's slowed down, but I think because I've hit the stores around me. You know it's bad when you consider road trips just to find new antique stores.

 

[ginhud]

Good on you! I like gold razors but only have one lonely gold tech and no more. I was hoping to get a DR Harris with the gold but ended up buying the white/chrome one!

 

[Greyfox]

Good pickups!

 

[Drummer2177]

Nice! I went out today as well, checking some consignment and local antique shops. Nada. Zip. Nothing. I think the hunt for great deals is what I am seeking instead of buying on ebay.

I might have to do some driving!

 

[IronHammer]

Haha! Nice score.

It's interesting that I was also out scouring my local antique shop at lunch time, too! I didn't turn anything up though except a Rolls Razor they wanted $50 for and a nice Gillette tin for $15. I thought both were overly priced and left them sitting there.

 

[ShavinBacon]

Been awhile since I have been to the local antique stores. I got my friend into DE shaving a few months ago and out of the blue, he sends me a pic of a razor he found at one of my favorite haunts. I guess I should go see if he left me anything. Nice score BTW.

 

[lungho]

I got a couple of gold razors.....a late 40's Tech and a 30's Criterion. Both cleaned up nicely with scrubbing bubbles.

Congrats on what looks like to be a killer score!

 

[Judge Kemp]

You dog! You sniffed out a couple of beautiful ones. I love the bar handled New, and that Gold Adjustable is a beautiful one. Excellent, excellent score!

 

[gobeavs]

Jealous.

 

[memoryleak]

Good score on your part. My local antique "mall" usually only has some scruffy straights.

 

[Jeppy]

Excellent score!

 

[Copierguy]

Congrats....enjoy that Aristocrat!

 

[calcustom]

How bout that!
Nice!

 

[staxchipswell]

Haha! Nice score.

It's interesting that I was also out scouring my local antique shop at lunch time, too! I didn't turn anything up though except a Rolls Razor they wanted $50 for and a nice Gillette tin for $15. I thought both were overly priced and left them sitting there.

Gillette lithograph tin?...could be worth much more than 15$

 

[BowTieGuy]

Great score on some beautiful razors! I think I have cleaned out all the places near me. I checked out an antique mall yesterday and only saw an overpriced Ever-ready that had some issues with holding a blade. Love those goldies!

 

[mandoman]

NICE