Today I picked up my first vintage razor from an antique store. It's an Gillette made in England, no code. I have no idea what type is it. But what is special, it's engraved with the IDF(Israeli Defence Forces - Tzahal) sign on the bottom. So, it seems than back then the army issued them to soldiers as part of their kitbag when enrolled. For me it's a nice piece of history...who knows what wars this razor took part in...Remembers me a little bit of the story of the two brothers Interesting to know how many of these are still around or in use. I cleaned it as much as I could and I'll use it tomorrow morning.
It appears to be a frankenrazor. Gillette never made a handle designed like that, in any of their factories around the world.
If Jody says it's a Karloff, then it probably is...but it still has the provenance of IDF that makes it special. Please let me know if you should ever tire of it, KLF.
The head is Gillette English Tech, but the handle is truly custom. Is the handle aluminum, steel, or nickel plated brass?
I found more information on the handle. It was manufactured in the days of the British Mandate in Palestine. The “PLEESE” company was a Jewish Cooperative located in the city of HOLON. After the establishment of the state of Israel it became the “PLEESE AMCOR” Company (1950s), which continued to manufacture Safety Razors for the Israeli Army until the 1970s. The head pieces were a Gillette Tech clone and were stamped "PLEESE" or "Amcor - Pleese". Here's an ended auction for one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170858924590
Well it looks that I have the Gillette Tech head and the Pleese Amcor handle for IDF. I used it this morning, provided a BBS shave. The antique shop has another razor, with the Pleese Amcor head and a different handle, no IDF sign on it and much lighter, maybe aluminium-made, it has some green plastic cover on the cover. If someone is interested in it, I can go and take a photo just to see it.
If they have another razor that is the Pleese Amcor head, you should go back and get it so you'll have the complete razor. They may not be highly sought after but they are rare. It sounds to me like the shop owner or another customer had them both apart at the same time and then just put them back together any ole way.
I'll check it again, I payed 25$ for the one I got and he wanted the same for the other one. Is it worth it ?
Just tell him they were put back together wrong and you want to swap the head pieces out to make the razor correct. Shouldn't see why he'd have a problem with that.
Very cool! As a vintage razor collector and history buff, I'm excited! $25, IMHO, a very good deal for the Israeli razor, probably about right to a bit high for a British Tech. British Gillette's tend to be more solid and less common than their American cousins and therefore go for more $.
