So a while ago I won @Lyndon PIF where he gave out safety razors. He shipped it to me at school, so I didn't get it until after Winter Break. He shipped me a gorgeous (basically new) vintage Gillette Tech style razor. He said that it was taken from a surplus military survival pack from Canada. It is a beautiful razor and I can't wait to use it. I was just asking for some help out their from the guys that know their vintage razors. Anyone have any extra details or info on this razor? Thanks.
Basic, drugstore Tech with an aluminum handle. Good shaver. Since I can't see the top cap, I'll go out on a limb and assume it's a zinc alloy cap with a stamped logo. Late 1960's and on.
Here is a good location for researching (picture here >) Gillette Tech Razors. I'm partial to pre-war variants 3 & 4 piece with thicker caps and elongated triangular base plates.
I have one like it with a brass handle. Made in England and the cap has a"Gillette" logo without the diamond. Mine is a 67 "Sportman Tech". - see Mr Razor. Has a nice heft to it and is alittle more agressive than my US Techs. Some also have a alumium handle but I think they maybe travel razors. Is yours brass or alum? What type of Logo on the cap?
No idea about the materials. That's why I'm looking to get more info. On the cap it just has "Gillette" stamped into it, not diamond or logo or anything.
Looking at the article, it looks to me like it is a Ball-end tech, produced after 1962 because it doesn't have the diamond logo. If that is the case, it says it has a Zamak cap
It looks to me like you have a nickle plated brass handle. I have the same razor from the early 70's with an Aluminum handle & the Al is unplated and not as shiny at the head. Its a great razor, enjoy.
Overall I'm very happy. It looks great and the knurling is excellent. Not going to be using it tonight, but I'll definitely try it out tomorrow!
Over the years, Gillette used increasing amounts of Zamac in the Tech. Starting sometime in the 50s, the top cap of the nickel=plated Techs started to be made of Zamac. (Reportedly, the gold-plated ones were still brass.) In the early 60s, the entire Tech was made of Zamac. (These are the ones with the stamped "Gillette" on the top cap and includes most of the Travel Tech razors.)
So my Z1 date code gold ball end tech w/the diamond logo on the head is a '79 zamac or '54 brass? It's on the right side of my shelf here: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/show-off-your-den.49259/
I have a '66 Travel Tech that looks like that. I bought it to pair with an aftermarket handle and it gives great mild shaves.
This link here is your best research with regards to Gillette Tech photos. http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Tech/Tech.htm I prefer the 1938-45 variants prior to "Gillette" being etched on cap. I also do not like the ball end handle variants.
