Torn over Gillette choices

[Boganova]

Hey guys

I'm fairly new to safety razors, currently own a Muhle r106 and love the feeling a proper shave! Ive started looking online at some antique razors here in NZ that are going for sale on a local auction site, and have found 3 that look quite promising. But I don't know which I wish to buy! Would love to hear your opinions on the matter.


Option #1

This is a razor I have already posted about, a Gillette Tech, seemingly war era, that is selling for around the 10 dollar mark at auction. I like the fact it comes with a case and seems to be in pretty good condition, but I worry the closed comb head would make the difference between this and my Muhle minimal.

View attachment 307136 View attachment 307138
Option #2

This option is around the same price as the last. Appears to be maybe an Old Style razor from the look of it. It needs more work to clean and restore than the other 2 but I like the idea of an open comb and a ball handle. Plus the metal case looks neat



Option #3

Lastly we have this, what appears to be a Gillette Ranger Tech (as far as I can tell). Its selling for 30 dollars, 3 times more than the others. But I love the fact it has the 1 piece design, and just looks cool. Doesnt come with a case though.



I have till sunday to decide on the 3 piece razors, but only 10 hours left on the 1 piece auction. I've no experience at all with old razors so would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[jbradley]

They all have their fans, I am an Open Comb fan, so that would be my choice if I had to choose one and only one.

 

[JDTTO]

They all have their fans, I am an Open Comb fan, so that would be my choice if I had to choose one and only one.

+1 but my choice would be the Tech.

If you would only pick one, take the one you fancy the most. It's likely that you eventually try one of each (or similar) eventually.

 

[ItsAllGravy]

i'd take option 3 the HD Rocket is an excellent razor!

after that buy one of each of the others to compare

 

[Dusty1]

Go with the Gillette old style. Cheap, pretty, and a good razor. If you want something a tad smoother go with a New.

 

[larzone]

HD Rocket all day!

 

[stewartu]

Buy both that open comb and that tech. The tech is a handle that I havent seen before and looks pretty cool. Techs are fantastic shavers. I keep one in my dopp kit as my travel razor and every time I travel I think to myself that I could use the tech every day and be perfectly happy.

I am primarily an open-comb guy, I like the aggressiveness of the open comb design.

As for the superspeed (your last photo) these are good razors (1948-50) and will give a fine shave, but I like the simplicity of 2 and 3 piece razors.

I suggest buying both the tech (first photo) and the open comb gillette. You wont regret it and you can always recover your money by selling on the board here.

 

[maxman]

The Tech is a great piece to have in any collection. A solid razor that won't disappoint.
The HD is a great razor too. Well made and regarded well.