When a #77 changes its spots

[Jake]

I have a fondness for the #77 & #88 2-piece silver OC Gillettes. I always thought they differed only by the case they were sold in: #77 in a bakelite case, the #88 in a metal case. But now look here at the handle variants on these 2 otherwise identical razors. Both made in the UK and so close yet different.

Mr-Razor.com does identify a so-called "Bakelite cased 2-piece" and I guess that's what I've got here. Subtle but cool. And this posting is just for sharing my discovery with you.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

That is very interesting. When I was initially reading your post, I thought the mention of a '2 piece' was a typo. But then I see from your photos that they are indeed two piece razors and it was not a type. I did not know that Gillette made a two piece. Thanks for sharing!

 

[luvmysuper]

Thanks for the great Pics.

It's these little differences that keep us all magnifying the screen on those little e-bay shots.

 

[Jake]

My recent 2-piece #77 score is listed in this thread of recently purchased.

 

[Chester]

May seem to be a witless question, but the pommels don't unthread and come out of these, or slide out after the cap is released?

 

[Jake]

Nope. There are only 2 pieces to this 2-piece razor...

 

[mr-razor]

I think, the #77 and the #88 are the same razors. The razor with the knurling under the head is a third set, but I don´t know his name:

Please show us the bar of the cap

 

[fidjit]

So it the #77/88 the only two piece produced by Gillette ???

 

[Jake]

Well the 77/88 is the only 2-piece razor Gillette made and named. The other, which I pictured above, is the other model that has no name -- at least not yet. I will photograph the underside of the head tomorrow so we can further examine the variables of this unusual and unique model.

Wonder why they did not continue the 2-piece design. Perhaps there was more to the manufacture of the interior of the handle. Something must have changed the designers orientation and evolution of design since this was on the way to the TTO design.

 

[Jake]

Here's several images of the 2 different #77 2-piece razors. The handles are different, up near the head and so are the undersides of the heads. I guess they just couldn't decide on which design held the blade most securely. In my experience, it just doesn't matter. Interesting insight into the mind of the engineer/designers -- before the day of CAD/CAM technology...

 

[blackfoot]

A difference there too.