How can I tell the difference? I don't have the astute eye that many of you collectors have, but I seem to be running across quite a bit of very early Gillette 3 pieces. I'd like to have somewhat of an idea what I'm looking at, and also roughly what it's worth. I came across one in a decorative brass case, looked complete, but I couldn't fully tell what condition it was in. It was priced at $30, which seemed a bit high to me, but I don't know.... I can't just look at one and say, "That's an Old," or "That's a New Improved, not a New..."
I could give you some kind of long winded descriptions to try to illustrate the differences but if you look at some of the examples of each, I believe you will soon see for yourself where the salient differences are. I would suggest you might want to look at some of the pictures of the three types of Gillettes in question on Achim's outstanding "Mr Razor" website. Here is a link . . . http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Gillette Rasierer.htm If you still have questions after studying these pictures, please repost here and I'll be happy to try to clarify anything that still isn't clear as to diffences between types. Regards, Tom
I had posted a similar question awhile back on B, here is the thread, http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=68050 AsylumGuido provided some great info and pictures on the thread.
:sihns011 $30 may be a bargain depending on the condition of the set. Some of those Pocket Sets go for lots of $$$$. If your question is kind of geared toward how the different open combs perform, it is of course very YMMV. I have "Old", "New", and "New Improved", and they all shave pretty much the same to me -- which is great. I loves me an open comb razor!
Open combs are horrible shavers, you should send it to me if it is shiny an pretty though........... Seems like the open combs are getting very popular as of late. I really like the way they shave too, thanks for the Aristo Rick, that's what got me started on them. All of my safety bar razors have been collecting alot of dust since I have started using the open comb razors.
I tell you what, there is NOTHING better than an open comb razor shave on a couple of day's growth -- it is just wonderful beyond words.
A 1927 new improved is one of the only DE razors that I regularly use anymore.. wonderful shaves with little effort. Almost as good as my SE's/.......... ALmost Fuzzy
No, my question is kind of geared more towards how I can tell them apart, like their physical characteristics. Thanks to Tom's and Bong's links, it looks to me that the Old has a backplate (is that what it's called?) that curves with the top, the New Improved has a backplate that is more flat across, yet still has the pegs that come through, and the New has a backplate like the New Improved, but without the pegs, maybe? I've only briefly looked, haven't scrutinized them yet so I'm probably wrong... It's been a few days, but I think the case looked something like this 1926 Bostonian, pic courtesy of Mr. Razor. But maybe the detailing was stamped, instead of engraved. Honestly, I saw the $30 and new SWMBO wouldn't be happy - I've been on a bit of a spending spree, so I kept on walking without looking too much at the razor. Plus, I keep coming across a lot of these older DEs, mostly in poor to fair shape and without cases, that I just kept on walking. Maybe I'll stop back for a closer look, then.... View attachment 6935
That razor you show in the gold case is a New Improved. When sold in that particular case, it was called the Bostonian. Many of the New Improved razors had secondary model names which varied depending upon the case they came in. Your observations about the differences in the heads between the Old Type and the New Improved are correct. The New Gillettes, on the other hand did not have the blade locating pins, but instead, had a bar on the cap and a matching groove in the base comb that used the slot in the blade to locate it. Regards, Tom
Okay, if the razor that you saw is a Bostonian, and it is in good condition, then PICK THAT PUPPY UP! that would be an absolute steal for $30! You could easily sell it for twice that.
I concur. If the Bostonian you saw has good plating and no bent teeth or other obvious problems, for $30, get it. Regards, Tom
Truckman, as you see, you can't beat Achim's pictures to assist you with identifying Gillette razors. His collection and his pictures are outstanding. Regards, Tom
