January 16, 2019
Razor: Perspex Gillette Tech
Blade: 7 o'Clock Permasharp Stainless
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Stirling Sheep
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH
Today's shave continues this week's unplanned theme of Odd-Ball Tech razors with my latest acquisition, a Gillette Tech with a Perspex (Acrylic?) baseplate.
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I've not been able to find a lot of information about these razors. It appears that
@ajc347 is our resident expert on this model as he has owned a couple of them. Interestingly, Achim's site only shows one version:
From what I have been able to learn, Rothbart also made some three-piece razors with a Perspex baseplate. Given that, I'm going to make a leap and assume that these razors were probably made by Gillette Deutschland.
The bigger question may be why was this particular version of the Tech made? Based on the dates, we looking at a point near the end of Tech production, at least in the US though, I believe, production would continue in England for some time longer. It may be that the use of Acrylic was an attempt to find an alternate supply of baseplates or, more likely, to meet a price point.
Before I talk about today's shave, a quick family picture:
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From L to R: L2 US Tech, English OC Tech, Perspex Tech
On to today's shave... First impression- this razor is light. I don't have a scale but it feels lighter than Monday's SGBB Tech. The geometry of the baseplate seems to be pretty close to that of the regular Tech although it lacks the ridges on the safety bar. Blade feel seems very much like a regular Tech and is noticeable with the 7 o'Clock blade. (Note to self: need to try the SGBB Tech with the 7 o'Clock Indian Green.) Between the lightness of the razor and the sharpness of the blade, I fell into the trap and had one minor weeper but a great shave otherwise.
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As you can see, BTW, I'm slowly reaching the end of the Stirling Sheep sample. I must be doing something wrong as this has been hanging in since sometime in November.
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