I sat here wondering - how long would a vintage Gillette last? Let's say a 50's Gillette Tech with minimal plate-wear/pitting that's being used daily and cleaned good from time to time? Or how about a similar condition Fatboy that's being used correctly (no tension on doors when adjusting for instance)? I mean - can one assume it'll degrade at the same pace since it was new? Perhaps even slower due to cleaning and polishing from time to time? What I'm actually getting at is the idea of having one single vintage DE as a daily shaver and expect it to last the rest of ones life. Thoughts, ideas, opinions? Fire away
The old Gillettes will last forever since they're made out of brass and can't rust, unlike modern razors like EJ. With proper care they will last indefinitely like a straight. Zamac is a very cheap zinc based pot metal and while being fragile will also corrode quickly if the chrome flakes off of them, or so I've read.
I understand the Merkur's are made from cheap zamac, but my understanding on the Mühle's and hereby also the EJ's is they're made from another material, but that might not be correct? Hrm that's sure food for thought. I've always seen my Mühle as superior in longevity over the vintages. How about the aluminum Techs?
Great question, I've wondered the same about my pride and joy (1969 Super Adjustable) It's in mint condition so I dont believe it was used often or at all but the springs and moving parts are 44 years old. As soon as I find an equally efficient shaver, this one is going in the case until my birthday. I'm hoping the R41 being loaned to me will fill the gap.
EJs have zamac heads with brass handles. Once the plating loss has started it's dead. I don't get why they won't just make the heads out of brass while they're at it. Conspiracy to have them break and keep customers coming back?
That has cleared something up for sure. So an Aluminum Tech or Fat Handled Tech will outlast a modern?
As a general rule, unless its solid stainless, vintage goods will ALLWAYS out last new ones. Not just razors. There are exceptions to every rule of course.
I saw a razor that claims to have a Stainless Steel Handle and a Brushed Aluminum Head. I know from my experience Wheels on a Tractor Trailer that are made out of brushed aluminum last almost forever. If they are properly cared for.I would venture to say Stainless steel will out last what they put out today.
As an example, let's take the aluminum handled Tech. It has a brass head I think. Will that be a problem as long as I don't stress the threads?
The pot metal razors are great until the plating wears out or is chipped and the pot metal underneath is exposed to the outside...The solid metal razors(brass,copper,aluminum,SS) are much more durable then "pot metal" on their own, when combined with better quality manufacture its why vintage razors have lasted so long and are so worth owning and why SS razors are commanding such high prices..... It's also why a good plating job is so VERY important on modern "pot metal" razors.. I agree with fram773 and wonder why modern razors European razors aren't made of brass? I think some Parker and possibly some Chinese or Pakistani razor shave heads as well as handles are made of brass.. In short a vintage razor in good shape should last the rest of your life I.M.O. Have you ever tried a Lux 3 piece..I think they still make them the're out of Hungary or there abouts and t are a Gillette clone made of stainless steel...Might be worth the effort hunting one up...
My birth year (62) slim is 52. With proper care. I think I can hand it down to my 1 year old Grandson, and have him hand it down to his son. Don't drop it. Clean it. Use it. Enjoy it. Share it.
I have a late 30s/early 40s Fat Handle Tech. Assuming I don't become addled in the brain and do something foolish to strip the threads, I fully expect this razor to still be in service in another 75 years. I know people who are shaving with straights that were made in the early 1800s. Simple fact is, they made stuff to last, back in the day. Not like the disposable world we live in today.
Get a Weber - solid stainless. Will last several lifetimes and costs a 1/3 of the other stainless razors in current production. One razor to rule them all...
All great info here I might be going for a SS again. I assume in a 100 years such one would do with some Peek polish and look brand new again? Yeah, exactly the Weber is the one I've eyeballed. But I'm scared that it'll be too aggressive for daily use. I think the EJ/Mühle is on the aggressive side (slack technique and get punished) and some say the Weber has more blade exposure. It's rather pricey though. $136 before I have it in my hands, should I get so unlucky to get it snicked in customs. $52 less if it goes right through. So it's not just a impulse-purchase - I have to give it serious consideration before anything.
Customs! Gotta love governments - self serving collections of narcissists and psychopaths! The Weber is about like a Fatboy on 5-6. Does that help?
And all that because it's from outside EU. The concern seems to be that it's hurting the vendors within EU when we shop from the outside. Back Luck Martin's problem here is, that all the stuff I get from outside is because I don't have one single option to get it from inside EU. If the package is stamped with Amazon, it's highly possible it'll get snicked. Postal service here is well aware that goods from Amazon US is custom obliged 9/10 times. Maybe someone know how the packaging usually looks on an order from Weber's Amazon storefront? The Fatboy comparison helps alot! I actually love shaving with my Fatboy on 5 with a Gillette Platinum blade. So assuming I find a blade/razor combo with the Weber I should be loving that also. Thanks!
