Hey all. I got my first DE in the mail yesterday, a Gillette SS. Was looking around an antique store nearby today and ran across the razor pictured here. It is a Gillette, and it comes in this nice looking wooden box. The seller was asking 35 for it. I had seen some other DE razors (not pictured) for around 10 or so. I like the box, but on my Church Camp salary I can't just throw 35 bucks on this thing here and that thing there. Anybody know the name of this razor? Does it shave well? Do you guys think 35 is a fair price, a steal for me, or highway robbery? Apologies for the bad photo. I was using a crummy cell phone camera in even more crummy light. I hope you can at least make out some distinguishing characteristics.. I can already see this new fascination with old razors taking over a part of my life. Take care everyone, and happy shaving. Jim
As the case says, it is a Gillette Richwood. It is the same razor as a New Standard or a Bostonian. The way you know which one you have is by the box you got with it, so this one sir, is the Richwood. That razor has a serial number under the cap that can give you a better date range, but it is from the early to mid-twenties, IIRC. It looks like its in good shape too. $35 is very fair I'd say, but when it comes to the old ones, it is real a buyer driven value. If you bought that, you could probably get a really good turnaround on the 'bay, unless of course you kept it. A boxed Richwood would sell anywhere from what you paid for it to much, much more. Even if you don't buy it, go back and look at it. Take it apart. Feel it. That is razor history Others knows WAY more than I do so if they come along, can probably reveal more/correct me if I strayed.
I'll chalk this one up to my newbie status. The model name of the razor really is there on the box. How observant am I. (end self-depreciation statement) Thanks for the response! I'll head over to the antique store again and go take a look at it.
:sihns011 always. Just be careful. Some people think leaving an old rusty blade in makes the razor more valuable/desirable. It doesn't look like there is a blade in that one, but the pics aren't clear enough (for me) to tell for sure.
Maybe a dumb question, but what is the little box above the razor? Dumb question 2: Just because it is in the box, is it the razor that came in the box? What way is there to tell for sure it is what the box says it is? Could it be a New Standard or a Bostonian in a Richwoodbox? Just wondering? I know things got switched around in my grandfathers shave kit (opps was I not supposed to play with that?) when I was little.
the name (type) of the razor is "New and Improved". Richwood is the name of the set. There are many sets with different names because they have the same razor in different cases.
Don't worry about taking that hard on yourself. I see razors in the wrong box as often as I do the correct box. However, in this case the box is correct. It is a New Standard razor that is sold in the Richwood case. In that case, it is called a Richwood.
I would definantly pick that up for 35 bucks. Very nice condition and can just add it to a collection. Sell on the bay if wanted or keep and sell later for even more. Or if ya wanted could pick it up and sell it on a frum so you know the person buying will hopefully treat it well and respect what it is. I swore I wouldn't collect razors... but now when i find a nice deal it is tough I feel obligated to pick it up.
Just bought one! :happy102 I bought one like this last night at a peddlers mall. Real clean razor, combs are nice and straight. One little crack in the handle but from what I have read that is normal for these. The head is nice and tight and yes I shaved with it this morning and really liked it. I have a Tech of my dad's that has a stripped out handle that I use thread tape to keep tight and a TTO that I gave my son. I am now hunting down a fat boy! I like this razor though, it's nicely weighted and did a nice shave. Just a bit aggressive but nothing bad. It was really nice to use on my head that I shave daily. I used a personna because I am out of my Schick platnium. Looks like I will need to go to a sampler pack and find a sweetheart! Oh and by the way, I got this gold bostonian for $10.00
Indeed, i have a bostonian and they are great shavers. Slightly less aggressive than say a slant, but they are better balanced, have more heft and offer a smoother shave. Ideal for daily use, but if i need scary close then i grab the slant, as already said check for cracks usually near the base. For 35 bucks you'd be laughing to grab it, i had to pay double that for mine.
