Yesterday it arrived! My 1916 Gillette Single Ring. When it got here the box was in pieces, but just where the corners are glued, so it is an easy fix. I actually can't complain too much as I was going to be fixing up the box anyway when I got it (adding a new cloth hinge etc...), so this will just make the process that much easier! The seller's original decsription mentioned that it was never the silver color like the other razors of its age, but rather a brown or black by nature. It was also mentioned that it was his wife's great-grandfather's razor, and that is all that he knew. Well after purchasing it I decided to dig a bit deeper, because teh razor would have a story and I care about that kind of thing...it adds character. As it turns out the great-grandfather had fought in both world wars, in the US Navy. He lied his way into WWI and during WWII was serving with the SeaBees, and this was his razor. That is all that is known about the history of the razor, and the great-grandfather. Now it has passed on to me and it will have a quite different life! The razor was completely black with tarnish, so I decided to do the boiling water/baking soda method (you guys guessed right ). After doing this twice (a second time for good measure), I took a soft toothbrush and lightly scrubbed it with my wife's silver polish, just to clean it up a little bit and give it some lusture. Anyway that is enough gab from me...here it is! Before: After: (As you can see it has a friend )
Nice job! Nice razor! Are you going to try it out? Or just keep it as a keepsake. I'm curious to hear how it shaves.
I used it this morning (posted in SoS thread). I had never used an open comb before so it felt REALLY strange. It seems like a milder razor, but yeah...it felt different than I would have thought...like I was shaving for the first time! I won't use it all the time, my first impression is I like teh closed combs better, but it gave a great shave and I will be bringing it out every now and then.
Beautiful razor, and it's fun knowing a little bit about it. Although I'm primarily an SE user I do love to use the Single Rings and Ball End Old Types, Gillette really had it right when they designed them.
It's always nice to see one of these old beauties rescued back to life, and when they have a history attached to them it just makes it that much better. Great job on the cleanup, and thanks for sharing!
Yeah man GREAT clean up...beautiful razor...I think I might have seen that one on e-bay and considered going for it...Does it have the original wood box, but it's become unglued and kind of falling apart?...But it can probably be save, but for display purposes, not for serious use? If thats the one, you and I almost danced for it...LOL Oh I see from your original post....that is the same one...the same listing also had a beautiful Schick also...Glad you got it!! It's a beauty.
I need to do that with a few of my older Gillettes... hope I can find the thread with the detailed instructions on how much water, baking soda, etc. to put in
Lol! I was wondering why I won...usually I get seriously outbid on everything! I guess the midi-chlorians helped me out this time!
