gambled on this generic Old type

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by maltedmilk, Feb 9, 2015.

  1. maltedmilk

    maltedmilk Well-Known Member

    Article Team
    <sigh>
    So, quite against better judgment, I've been scanning that online auction place. I watch way more than I bid, but this particular item somehow got past my defenses. The seller said there are no markings. It's now en route for a total of $16.49. I'll let you guys know how it shaves.


    Oh, RAD, why are you such a harsh master?

    old1.JPG old2.JPG old3.JPG

    ,
     
  2. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    That's a nice one. I have one Gillette Old Type with a ball end handle. It is pretty aggressive. I like the looks of that one. I wonder who made it. I'm looking forward to your assessment of its shave.
     
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  3. figment714

    figment714 Well-Known Member

    Nice! It looks like a real winner! Let us know how it shaves once it arrives.
     
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  4. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Teeth are straight. Check.
    Plating seems to be ok. Check.
    Uses modern DE blades. Check.
    Handle of generic 3-piece-design that can be used on other heads. Check.

    I think you did well.

    If I had to guess I'd say a French or German made, Gillette-inspired razor.
     
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  5. maltedmilk

    maltedmilk Well-Known Member

    Article Team
    Dude! You have my top-secret, generic-razor-bidding check list!

    I was kinda hoping German or French, but, like the dog we rescued, we'll never know the parentage. We really love our dog, so "fingers crossed" on this mystery razor...!

    The handle sealed it for me, 'cuz, if it shaves poorly, I may have a use for that handle. Also, I am toying with the idea of trying my hand at using one of those nifty gun finishes on a razor. If this disappoints, it will become a practice dummy!


    Except for the nominal cost and hiding it from SWMBO, this could be an all around win! ;)

     
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  6. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    Do you do your own finishing/plating?
     
  7. maltedmilk

    maltedmilk Well-Known Member

    Article Team
    I've assembled the components to try my hand using "science fair" methods, but haven't made the attempt yet. I got my machine shop buddy to doante a piece of scrap nickel. The rest is just setting it up. Since I am sure I won't be allowed to keep my science project in the house, the soonest I could comfortably putter in the garage would be when the temps come up (though this weekend was pretty gorgeous here at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains!).

    I figure the biggest challenge to overcome will be the overall prep work and polishing. I don't have a grinder and suspect that a drill-mounted buffing wheel won't deliver quite the same results...

    And then there's my lack of patience... Maybe I should have replied "No." Still, there's hope!
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2015
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  8. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    Sounds like fun. Be sure to take lots of pictures. I want to know how it works out. Be safe...
     
  9. TCBENNETT55

    TCBENNETT55 Active Member

    For diy polishing and plating read Gunsmithing. The book is by Roy Dunlap. Good luck in your endeavor.
     
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  10. Rapidray

    Rapidray Well-Known Member

    I can see Colt's Royal Blue on a razor...and I have a gunsmith who blues...I have two razors that could use some pampering...hummm. Think I will see him shortly.
    Good luck on your impending arrival.
     
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  11. Herm2502

    Herm2502 off to elf practice

    Nice, That should be a nice shave. I picked up this unknown OC at an estate sale and it's a really decent razor. Also very much like an old type.

    WP_20141029_004.jpg
     
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  12. maltedmilk

    maltedmilk Well-Known Member

    Article Team
    PSO: Palmer's oil
    lather: Arko
    brush: Omega 31064
    blade: Ladas (2)
    razor: generic Old type - no markings
    finish: HolyRollah's awesome DIY balm >here<

    First, let me say that I owe you guys some pics of this new mystery razor. The ebay seller's pics really didn't do it justice. I hope my meager photography efforts can do a little better.

    My mystery razor arrived yesterday. Opening the package, I was struck by two things: 1) it looks quite a bit better than the ebay pics and 2) it seems a wee bit... well... "wee." When I post a comparison pic, I think you'll see that it isn't quite small, but it seems somehow "slight of build." As an obvious ectomorph, it is rather light in the hand.

    I was a little bit concerned loading the blade. You can see in the ebay pics that the cap's posts are not quite centered in the base's holes. I found that there is just a bit of play when dry fitting the cap to the base! Fortunately, some experience loading Yumas has well prepared me for adjusting the blade a bit as I tighten the handle. Oddly, blade adjustments were not necessary.

    Once loaded, the GOT (Generic Old Type ...?) looked a little aggressive. Not a whole lot of blade exposure, but enough, combined with the low head profile, to make me wonder if it would bite. I was delightfully surprised by a very smooth, almost silent ride!

    OK, y'all this is mostly a mild razor. Mostly? Yeah... it has a gentle touch, but is impressively efficient for its feel. I thought that the Krona had that distinction, but this GOT may have taken the crown. I was BBS(rf) in two passes! (rf = "reasonable facsimile")

    I could have walked away and been happy after two passes, but this mild razor with minimal audio feedback really intrigued me! Intrigue brought out my obsessive tendencies, so I went into over-touchup mode — without causing irritation! I know it was "over-touchup" because I was actually applying pressure to my finger when feeling for invisible rough spots! I didn't chase the baby out of the trouble spots... I snatched his little heinie up and threw him out the door! I am still pumped from today's shave and it was 1 1/2 hours ago!
    (To keep it honest... I felt a little tightness in a couple of spots... but it was nothing Kevin's DIY balm couldn't handle. You guys really should give it a shot!)

    I really lucked out on this ebay gamble. I may be suffering a little from "new toy" syndrome, but I think this little guy has leapt to a permanent(?) place on the short list of candidates for The One.
     
  13. Darkbulb

    Darkbulb Cookie Hoarder

    Interesting and seems like it really worked out well for you.
    Now, where's dem photos?
     
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  14. celestino

    celestino Friendly Neighborhood Wetshaver

    Congratulations on the shaver! :happy088:
     
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  15. gorgo2

    gorgo2 geezerhood

    I really like that...looks like a cross between a bar handle NEW and a long-necked Silver Star razor.
     
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  16. Herm2502

    Herm2502 off to elf practice

    Thanks G. It's thinner than the Nee bar handle. Not familiar with the Silver Star.
     
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  17. gorgo2

    gorgo2 geezerhood

    [​IMG]

    A good razor, too (the aluminum one is better, imo). And the best carbon blade ever.
     
  18. maltedmilk

    maltedmilk Well-Known Member

    Article Team

    I have a Star DE and really like it! Mine isn't silver, but gold. Love the "pineapple" handle!

    I've seen these consistently undervalued on ebay. If you like a mild shaver, you can't go wrong with a Star! I bet you could easily get one for $10.
     
  19. RaZorBurn123

    RaZorBurn123 waiting hardily...............

    I think you did really well. I have an Old Type but I don't have the original handle. Nice mild, forgiving razor.
     
  20. maltedmilk

    maltedmilk Well-Known Member

    Article Team
    They ain't pretty, but they're here. I've got the generic next to a genuine Old for comparison. HINT: The generic is on the left.
    GOT4.jpg GOT1.jpg GOT3.jpg GOT2.jpg

     
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