Unusual Old Type shave experience

[GardenWeasel]

I'm on just my second day/shave with my Gillette old type, and today I put a much heavier CooncatBob handle on it - and I find the shave to be very uneven from one side to the other! Is it a sign of excessive wear? Is this a known characteristic? In the midst of the shave, I rotate the base & still have one side that is much much more aggressive! I bought it much used, as the pics will show. So I can toss it with no regrets. What 'cha think? Buy another?

 

[ElliotR]

Are you aligning the actual razor blade properly so it's even on both sides before you screw on the head?
These old types don't hold the blade evenly at all - blade can be longer on one side than the other
or -has happened to me this morning - a bit diagonal and give you a few nicks when you least expect it

ps - if you still wanna toss that Gillette I'll pay the postage - you can send it to me!

 

[GardenWeasel]

I really did think I aligned the blade well...specially since it was a tight fit for the blade. BUT! It is a very good point and I will check it carefully...and if I cannot get it work properly, your offer is tops.

 

[GardenWeasel]

I can see the tiniest of gaps 'tween blade and razor...i suppose with experience with this razor, I should learn which way to shift the blade, then pray it doesn't change while tightening the handle? Hmmmm. Does everyone do this?

 

[Deltaboy]

The blade moved on you when you tighted it.

 

[GardenWeasel]

The blade moved on you when you tighted it.

Yep - that is what appears to have happened. That's a new experience to me...never experienced that with Gillette TTO razors....maybe a layer of chrome will help!

 

[BBrad]

The Old Type (three-hole) blade alignment system leaves a little to be desired. A layer of plating isn't thick enough to make a difference in the tolerance factor. I usually put my razor together and snug it up before I check the alignment. If needed, I shift the assembly as needed and then tighten the blade. Another check before shaving, and it is good to go. I've never had one shift after being aligned and tightened.

Yes, the TTO razors with the center bar design do hold the blade straighter with the assembly.

The OT is a fun razor to have in the rotation . . . and the Cooncat handle makes it all the better!

 

[GardenWeasel]

Good advice! I will be more attentive to the blade's seating/position. Thanks all!

 

[sandmountainslim]

The Old Type I have seats the blade perfectly every time. It is one of the later 1920's models with the thicker cap and I used it with a BRW Bull Mastiff many times with no problem.

 

[celestino]

Are you aligning the actual razor blade properly so it's even on both sides before you screw on the head?
These old types don't hold the blade evenly at all - blade can be longer on one side than the other
or -has happened to me this morning - a bit diagonal and give you a few nicks when you least expect it

ps - if you still wanna toss that Gillette I'll pay the postage - you can send it to me!

+1

 

[ElliotR]

I really did think I aligned the blade well...specially since it was a tight fit for the blade. BUT! It is a very good point and I will check it carefully...and if I cannot get it work properly, your offer is tops.

I tighten it up a little bit - square the blade...visually checking it....then tighten all the way...and check my work again
I really doesn't have to be perfect - just straight. If worse comes to worst I'll just shave with ONE side of the double edge
if it's a little too long on one side.

I sincerely hope you grow to love these razors as much as I do, they are truly fantastic razors.
I like the idea that I am using something that my grandfather
would have used when he was half my age. At first I really thought I would be a TTO guy, but I have
really become more and more interested in these open comb types