The Haul: September 2021

Yes you do win on that technicality. Only issue with all this is everyone here myself included tend to play fast and loose with descripters. The set is the set and the razor is the razor and not the set. We all tend to call razors sets and vice versa which can cause all sorts of misunderstandings when a razor is used in multiple sets.

With that said the razors in the Milord sets from 40 - 54 were the same razor sans plating as the razor in Ranger Tech and Super Speed sets except for 3 razors and 1 year. The year was 1940 since the Milord set came out a year earlier than Ranger Tech sets in 41. The first 2 iterations of the Super Speed sold in between late 47 and mid 48 ( the ones without the hook on the center bar) were never offered in Milord sets. During this time frame the Milord sets had a razor that was sold in another set that was sold briefly along side Super Speed sets called an Aristocrat Jr.

 

Yes. I do know for sure between 53 - 55 they sold the No 66 and No 58 sets in Canada. In 53 those were coronation sets and 54 - 55 they weren't. If your razor wasn't sold as a Rocket then there should be other sets with at least one having that razor in it. I do also know for sure by Fathers Day of 1956 they dropped the Rockets and British razors in Canada and replaced them with the American made Super Speed trio of the blue, regular and red flare tip razors replacing the Rocket and No 58 sets and Diplomat razors replacing the No 66 sets.

 

Now I’m really confused. On Mr. Razor, the 46 and 47 Milord sets do not have Super Speeds in them? Was that razor an aristocrat, or the set was an aristocrat sharing that razor with the milord?

 

46 - 47 the razor in the Milord sets was the same one as in a Ranger Tech set those are the ones that smooth bands on the handle and the patent information on the razor base plate. The one he is calling a 47 is really an early 48 and is the razor that was also sold in the US and Canadian Aristocrat Jr sets.

For clarity with pictures and explanations. Circled items highlight key delineations.

46 - 48 Milord


Guard has no crease in it. That revision happened on all Gillette razors made in the US including Super Speeds and Aristocrats in early 1948. There was an overlap in sales with these razors and the next styled Milord razor during 48 but they disappear for good with the next one mid 48.

48 Milord


Guard has a crease in it making it no earlier than 48. Also the center bar is not notched. That happened mid 48 on all razors including Super Speeds and Aristocrats. That puts this razor production and sale date between early to mid 48 only. The collar is the key to telling it is an US Aristocrat Jr styled razor and not a Super Speed. There is also a Super Speed razor that was sold concurrently with this Milord and the US Artistocrat Jr set in 1948. Like I stated earlier the collar is what to look for to tell if it is an Aristocrat Jr or Super Speed when nickel plated since the other features are the same. They don't just look different but also shave differently making them distinctly different in more ways than looks.

48 - 53 Milord


Key takeaway is the collar, if the collar is this style it is the same razor as in a Super Speed set if not then a US Aristocrat Jr set. Also notice the center bar has a notch to load the speed blades by hooking them so you didn't have to handle the blade with your fingers.

 

So can you make an ID based on this photo? I had it pegged at a 46 or 47 Milord Set:

 

Oh, and I am pretty sure that blade case is not accurate to the set.

 

Yep that is a 46 - 48 Milord. You are correct also since what date range you are using to describe it correlates to the same razor as the one I am describing. The razors in the sets from 40 - 41 the smooth band on the handle has the patent information written on it unlike the 46 - 48 Milord set razors which do not. There are other indicators but that is the quickest and easiest to spot.

The 46 - 47 date was based on the fact that they stopped making these razors by 48 which is partially true. They actually stopped producing these in either January or February of 48 and then changed the base plate stamp dies to put that crease in the guards I highlighted in the other thread into production for all the 1pc TTO razors.

 

So then that begs another question. Forgetting sets, does that mean that any one piece TTO solid guard bar razor without a notch is in fact not a super speed, since the notch was what gave you the ability to "speed load" the razor?

 

That notch was a design feature Gillette touted like it was greatest thing ever to come along for DE razors when they introduced it in 1948. They did national ad campaigns based on that one change to sell razors. So to answer your question it doesn't make a razor a Super Speed per se because it was a feature of all 1 pc razors from 48 until the last Gillette DE known to be made in 88. It also means razors without the notch could be and were in 2 cases sold as Super Speeds.

Here are the 2 Super Speeds without notches, MKI on the left was made in 47 and early 48, that has no crease in the guard. MKII on the right was early to mid 48 before they introduced the notched center bars for loading blades easier. The MKII has the crease in the guard.


For clarity with notch and crease circled, here is the common MKIII version regardless of minor variation changes you find normally on ebay and in junk shops made from 48 - 51, 53 then sold again briefly in 1954 with Z4 date codes as a TV Special set. Between late 51 until end of 52 they were shelved due to an anticipated brass shortage because of the Korean War and were replaced with the non brass black tip Super Speed razors.

 

I just got this 1918 Gillette Khaki set in the mail today.

 

Just got from ItalianBarber the Razorock Hive 24 Mokasoft HD synthetic brush and Focus Tritok Concave safety razor.

 

The Gillette Milord Set Arrived today. Has the patent information, no notch in, so thinking 46 or 47:

 

Also received some NOS Schick 15 packs. Copyright is 95-97, still made in the USA:

 

i will research further as well.

 

fine milord set Jay..

 

good to know.thank you Andrew..canadian techs after 1955 were replaced in canada with british ones.at least until the mid 60s.

 

fine set Angelo..you know where to post it..

 

sounds plausible.hence the arisocrat jr name given in u.s 47-8 model type.

 

Thank you, I was quite happy the case was in such good shape.

 

Why does the USPS group everything in on the same day for the wife to see ?!?!?!?!
Case for my Clark Silver King Razor. Cased Damaskeene Gem. Timeless Titanium Handle. Backup SE Blades. Green Treet razor which needs extensive cleaning on the head. And a trade for the Blue Treet with some goodies thrown in as extras (soap and blades) These 2 Treet bring me to 3 colors and still need to find a Black one which is what the Green was thought to be until it was received and cleaned up. Nice surprise !