I hesitated to share this because it's not really a desirable piece for most people but if you're a die-hard Gillette collector like me, no collection is complete without it. So here's my recent acquisition... Still sealed, New Old Stock 1965 Gillette Techmatic band razor. Gillette's first "cartridge" razor, the Techmatic, was introduced to the public in 1965. It featured changeable cartridges that contained a single long blade ribbon that could be advanced forward as the section the shaver was using, became dull. It was first used by NASA so that astronauts could shave while in space without having to change blades or fool with sharp double-edge and single-edge blades.
Thanks Jody! I have seen lots of them on the net for sale, but had no idea it was a cartridge razor. I thought it was some sort of injector-style razor. Thank you for sharing! Now I know what they really are!
Well, it's not really that evil. It's not like cartridges of today where you have 1 to 6 blades fixed in a row. The cartridges for the Techmatic have a ribbon of blade in them that you advance forward when the area you've been using, gets dull. I've shaved with a Techmatic and it was a pretty sweet shave. Just too bulky for my liking.
I saw two Techmatics in the travel box and figured that they were either broken or missing some pieces. Like Iradke, I always thought they were some kind of injector. Thanks for letting us know, Jody.
Nice addition to your NOS collection, Jody! Cant be many of those left. Never knew about the NASA involvement. I actually shaved with these razors several decades ago. Definitely not Gillette's finest! I have a used Techmatic and some band cartridges. I'm attaching photos of front and back of the cartridge for those who may not seen them before.
I bought a cased nos techmatic as well haven't shaved with it yet I have read for the most part that the shave were less than desirable. I may consider trying it now
I actually bought one of these when I was first starting out, thinking it was an injector. Imagine my surprise! Can't believe you found one still sealed! You are truly Yoda-like in your ability to search out collectables. The force is strong with this one...
Listen to Conrad. I shaved with one a few years ago. Couldn't finish out to the end of the ribbon. To say it felt like a really clumsy injector with a bad (irregular or rippled) blade would be accurate. There's two sitting at a resale shop near me with spent cartridges...even if the bands had life left in them, the shave wouldn't be worth $1 each.
lol I must have gotten a good cartridge because when I used the other Techmatic I had, I got a DFS shave with it.
I have no doubt you did. The band i shaved with was visibly ripply, even after I'd advanced it a few times. Luck of the draw. Was still a rather unwieldy handle, though.
I remember when these guys were on the shelves....I never got a chance to try one.....Very cool about that astronaut connection...Guess its got the right stuff.... I heard from a friend last year, that tried one and loved it...He started a safari for the cartridges....I think these guys get an unfair shake....they do use a cartridge, but.....they are a single edge....They are a TWS-ing instument with a single edged blade.... Congrates Jody....and still sealed....let us know if you ever pop it and grab a shave.... Too bad Gorgo....sorry you had a rippled blade.....I don't know if thats bad luck or the cats getting good ones is good luck........I'm glad I never tried on, because if it was great....I'd be out there on the street with a techmatic on my back...looking for cartridges like my friend....
That was the first non electric razor I ever used around 1975. I was extremely grateful that the Trac II came into my possession and the Techmatic met its fate in a land fill!
Gotta side with Jody on this one. I get very good shaves with the band razors, both the Gillette and the Schick versions. As a matter of fact I used my Schick Adjustable band razor just this morning. Never had a problem with them and they don't slice me up as so many others have reported.
