Well, ok, it might not be a new question...but it's a NEW question. I asked this in passing on another thread and haven't really seen any answers (mayhap there isn't a real answer?) I have a few common bar-handle NEW razors. Three of them have combs with small teeth, one has a comb with large teeth that go out and then angle down. Other than the comb style, I see no obvious differences between them. Was the large-toothed model just something they did for one or two years of that series? Did it have a different name or model designation? Since I got them in an auction lot, I cannot guarantee that some parts didn't get switched with another razor that wasn't part of the batch I bought. However, I've seen other examples... I think one of the NEW's that Scotty is selling right now has the large-toothed comb... so that leads me to believe it wasn't just a mix-up. Aspiring razor-geeks want to know!
Don't have time for detailed answer, but look at Achim's website. Some have short teeth and some have longer ones. http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/The NEW/The NEW.htm
Thanks Justin! Achim's site was actually one of the sites I consulted to make sure I didn't have a frankenrazor. I just hadn't really seen a discussion or listing of which models or years did or didn't have the large-toothed comb. From the examples he has available, it looks like the Red & Black, the Expo, and maybe one of the Blue-Gold's had large combs. These all seem to have the same bar handle so mine could be an example of any of these. The NEW Norfolk and Bostonian I'm not sure about (because of the angle of the pictures).
and to add to the (my?) confusion...it seems that some of the base plates are smooth bottomed and some carry the ridge through... Pics courtesy of Mr. Razor's website. My NEW has the ridge...but I must say that I like the looks of the smooth one better... until I saw the pics of the 1930's President on his site.... I.MUST.HAVE. sorry for the threadjack there A_M :ashamed001
I think I like the ridged bottom better. Just looks more designed and not just a slab of metal. I don't have information on which heads were made when or if certain razors had different teeth in different years. I wish I did; however, as these are all interchangeable, who is to say any razor you pick up is not a combination of parts from other razors. That president is nice though!
I'm going to go out on a limb and speculate that the flat bottomed NEWs are the older ones. My reasoning is that, unless I'm mistaken, the NEW came after the New Improved, which shares the same flat bottom. I think it was just easier to fill in the pin holes in the mold. Then they realized the could save some money in metal by removing some from the bottom. I think the flat bottoms would be just a touch heftier, IMO...
The Bar handle also have large (.400) and small (.340) tips to fit the large and small gaps in the bar on the bottom of the head.
Hrm... that explains why one of the NEW's I have doesn't quite fit into that notch. (not the one I sent to be re-plated, of course) It holds just fine, it just doesn't fit into the notch. My thoughts on the flat bottom are similar to what Truckman said... holdovers from the New Improved.
My understanding is that the flat bottom ones are called De Luxe. The Big Fellow type, with the flat bottom also a taper at the top end of the tightening knob. See post #3 on this Haul thread.
Rather than start a new thread just to ask "what type is this one" Well, what type is this one? I know it's an english new improved, but I can't find any similar handles and I don't know if it's missing a end cap. The handle is thinner that a ball end, so a ball end cap from another new/new improved doesn't fit, and the shape of the handle with the plain knurling doesn't look like a ball end handle either (unless it's a ball end tech size that is).
It doesn't conform to anything on Achim's sight, as far as I can tell... I'm sure someone with 'the Krumholz book' can find more information about it.
Maybe it's not a Gillette handle? Just a guess... Was the New Improved with the key holes common in UK? Does the top have corner grips like the Probak/Goodwill? Regardless, that's very cool and interesting razor!
Might not be the correct handle. But it was worn equally to the razor head when I bought it. And as I mentioned, it's a smaller diameter to a normal ball end or plain new/improved razor. The wear/marking/scratching etc into the head that the handle makes isn't any bigger that this handle is, so it doesn't look like the common larger types of handles were ever screwed onto this head. I've never seen the keyhole stud cutting before either. Whatever this razor is, that has to be a big clue as it's not common. It has nothing else to hold the blade and you have to hold the blade straight and as still as you can while tightening to make sure it's even. Probably wasn't a problem with old blades, but more variance in blades these days. Edit: nope, tried with an old servex blade I had (not exactly three holes, but oval slots where the studs are) this razor would chew you up unless you aligned the blade yourself while tightening, even then one side could have more exposure than the other. A micrometer is definitely required to operate this thing.
Now I'd have to say it's the right handle, because I got another one exactly the same today. Same head, same handle, and no cap on the bottom.