ABC razors

Discussion in 'Safety Razors' started by Swampfox, Mar 9, 2019.

  1. Swampfox

    Swampfox Active Member

    what is the deal and background of ABC razors?
     
    Ijustmissedthe50s likes this.
  2. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    They are made by Gillette, have open combs, and have decorative handles. Unfortunately, they are Double Edge Razors, and this is the Straight Razor section.
    They can bring a pretty penny, if you have the decorative case with it.
     
    Billyfergie likes this.
  3. Swampfox

    Swampfox Active Member

    Sorry I hit the wrong section can someone move it please
     
  4. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    American Button Company....right?
     
    jimjo1031 likes this.
  5. Jrdelgado

    Jrdelgado Well-Known Member

    Yes. And they are beautiful. And shave very very well.
     
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  6. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    I will expand on the OP's question. Is the head a standard OLD type?
     
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  7. Jrdelgado

    Jrdelgado Well-Known Member

    I have 2. One I believe is an old head. The other has triangle teeth. I am by no means an expert. Pull from this great community. But there are 2 heads as far as I know.
     
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  8. DaltonGang

    DaltonGang Ol' Itchy Whiskers

    No, the nubs, that protrude, underneath are shorter, and more rounded, on the ABC's. From what I remember. I have a few tucked away.
     
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  9. wchnu

    wchnu Duck Season!

    Ahhh thanks guys. I have never held one.
     
    jimjo1031 likes this.
  10. Rev579

    Rev579 Well-Known Member

    There are 3 different combs. They will all have a thin cap. The later combs will look like the comb on the far right.
    F6A10959-CAD2-43D5-B48B-0375CF61B40F.jpeg

    There are different handles; 3 different Shell handles, a Scroll, Floral, Empire, a solid Round Ball on the end, and a solid thin handle with a smooth ball and flat end. These come in either Gold or Silver.
    These last two have their origins in with the Canadian ABC sets.
    1CFCB269-575B-4FAA-8E5D-B518097F2CB3.jpeg

    Then, there are 6 different case designs:
    Plain, Basketweave, Shell, Floral, Empire, and Leather. The first 5 come in either Gold, Silver, or Gun Metal(Black).
     
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  11. Jrdelgado

    Jrdelgado Well-Known Member

    Here are mine. I’m proud of all of them but I’m not nearly finished trying to get them. Lol

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  12. brit

    brit in a box

    nice collection sir..
     
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  13. Jrdelgado

    Jrdelgado Well-Known Member

    Thank you Sir!
     
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  14. thevez2

    thevez2 uses Gillette's new Tarantula Razor - 8 blades!!

    I have a Floral Handle ABC, and it is one of my favorite razors. Not just from a looks standpoint, but also one of my best and favorite shavers!
     
    Rev579, jimjo1031, brit and 1 other person like this.
  15. Rev579

    Rev579 Well-Known Member

    It all started with a desire to get some “birth” razors that would represent my grandparents and I couldn’t stop at four. First, there are 3 different shell handles, at least 2 handles that were unique to Canada, but most likely 3 or 4, in addition to the other 3 ABC handles. Then there are the 4 different stages of case evolution. And finally the 6 different case models: Plain, Basketweave, Shell, Floral, Empire, and Leather.
     
  16. IanD

    IanD Member

    Since you don't see many Leather kits, here's mine. It's pretty beat up, but lets face it, it's leather over paste board and over 100 years old. Some days I feel like it looks and I'm half its age.
    leather 1.jpg Leather 2.jpg
     
  17. Rev579

    Rev579 Well-Known Member

    Of all my ABC sets, I’m most protective of my 505! I shave with the razor, but don’t travel with the case.
     
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  18. TitanTTB

    TitanTTB Well-Known Member

    It was a partnership between Gillette and American Button Company starting around 1908 if I remember correctly.

    They really are great looking and unique razors and cases. Fairly rare, I suppose, I've never come across one in the wild before. But I keep my eye out.
     
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  19. Rev579

    Rev579 Well-Known Member

    The 1908 date seems really solid, yet I have seen a serial number that matched 1907. It was online, and not a hands-on look. So, I keep the door open to the possibility, yet question the probability of 1907 as the earliest date.
     
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  20. Jayaruh

    Jayaruh The Cackalacky House Pet

    Supporting Vendor
    Now, I want one. Thanks everyone.
     
    Jrdelgado likes this.

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