Today, the Gillette double ring gains lots of attention in auction sites for collectors and users alike. He was born on December 19, 1498 in Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany - 2F1RNH1 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. The tip of this razor is available in colors of red, blue, and black. If you ever played with Legos, you wont have any problem. While earlier models are designed only to be used with wedge blades there is a way to modify a modern single edge blade to fit. Vintage Gillette Safety Razor FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions Q: How come you are always moving and closing down temporarily. All of these razors are gold plated and were available to the masses. This razor was produced from 1929-1940, in a period where Gillette didnt label its razors so it might be harder to identify. If youre using a razor that looks like race car and want to graduate to a sophisticated, grown-up tool, you should start with the classic safety razor. You should always send your razors, wrapped well, with a tracking number. 2b. (Square milled handle) Square silver or gold body with fine milled finish, swivelling head with bar or closed comb guard, and pull knob on bottom. Since it was produced for such a long time, it went through various modifications, some of which even had their own names. 1927-1932. The 7 Best Vintage Safety Razor [Since 1930s]. There were no razor serial numbers from 1931 until 1951. 1b. One of the most popular models is the Gillette Super Speed, which was a very well-known and widely circulated post-war model, peaking during the mid 50s (making this a particularly popular model among baby boomers or people who are enamored with nuclear-family Atomic Age kitsch). The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. What can we do to reduce the drag and irritation followed by shaving? The head designs were all original, and were very unique. The most common and favored type is the double-edged, found commonly in Gillette brands. I am a very conscientious person and strive to be the best I can be. Thats right! They are a lot heavier than the usual razor and therefore allow the blade to do the work for you. This razor was only produced for the masses for two years (1958 & 1960) and was produced in limited numbers even though its the most abundant razor on our list with over 70,000 units made.For years, the Toggle has been the base for all collections. Perfect for those who want to try Single-edged blades. It makes you feel classy and takes you out of a world where plastic razors, developed for profits, can stop you from having that perfect shave. The blades were also marked similarly. 3. I can remember that when I started my wet shaving journey almost 10 years ago that most collectors put the Toggle on the podium for the grail of a collection.There are several models of the toggle, which makes this razor a bit of a roller coaster when determining value. Gillette determines the aggressiveness of its razor via a color-coded system, which will be discussed further in the article. Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nations largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. Required fields are marked *. While in Montana we enjoy camping, fishing, kayaking and visiting our children and grand children. It can even be flared so the razor stands on its own. If you are a beginner with sensitive skin, just go for the Gillette Super Speed black handle or Gillette Super Speed blue tip. Gem . Provide the best shaving product reviews and shaving advices to the wetshaving community and friends. Prices range $$$-$$$$.If you find one, dont hesitate to pick it up and remember your shaving with a piece of Gillette history. Continue reading Most Watched $50 96 watchers $51 2018 Value: $1k-$3k+ The famous BBS-1. Probably the most sought after vintage razor today, the Gillette Toggle needs no introduction. Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nations largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. However, Im giving you the link to where you could buy some Good Wills. Main menu Getting Started Razors Brushes Sets & Kits . Vintage Yankee Safety Razor with Case and Blade Banks. Safety Razor Nickel Revamp, 1919 Gillette Single Ring Old Type Safety Razor With Replica Handle - Nickel Revamp, 1946-47 Gillette Aristocrat Double Edge Razor Rhodium Revamp, 1969 O4 Gillette Short Handle Super Adjustable 84mm DE Safety Razor, 1946-1947 Gillette Aristocrat DE TTO Safety Razor | Rhodium Revamp, Mirror only for New Gillette WWI "Khaki" Travel Case Replica, WWI Open Comb Double Edge Safety Razor Travel "Khaki" Set w/ Mirror | Nickel Head Revamp w/ Replica Handle, New Gillette WWI "Khaki" Travel Case Replica w/ Mirror, 1978 Gillette Super Adjustable "Black Beauty" DE Safety Razor Y2, 1963 Gillette I1 Slim Adjustable DE Safety Razor Rhodium Revamp, 1966 Gillette L3 Slim Adjustable Safety Razor Rhodium Revamp, 1955 Gillette Red Tip Heavy Super Speed DE Safety Razor A4 Rhodium, 1956 Gillette Red Tip Heavy DE Super Speed Safety Razor B2 Rhodium. When the instructions are not read, I am interrupted and my concentration suffers. 20 of them being composed of titanium (unnumbered) and the rest being composed of stainless steel (serial numbered). These razors were mostly used in test markets although some were sold. $24.99. Take time to create the amount of passes you need for shaving. It gives them bushy beards a close shave without the irritation. There is a registry on one of the popular forums that showcases all of the registered double rings to help with identification. The only downfall with this is that a razor that old will most likely have defects upon it. It was made in two versions, one of which was the deluxe model, targeted to the rich. The Fatboy is a brilliant shaver that no man . A later development, Gillette found people searching for the milder, smoother shave, and brought this vintage razor onto the market! Another important characteristic to mention is the unique storage case that came with each and every Tradere. Composed of mostly recycled (60-80%) solid stainless steel all Traderes were laser engraved with a unique serial number and made in the USA. 3 Vintage Safety Razors 2 Gillette and 1 Valet wakemeup57 (883) $32.77 1950s ROTBART MOND-EXTRA #15 Vintage Safety Razor - Made in Germany DAPPERSTUDIOCC (1,359) $136.30 $145.00 (6% off) FREE shipping Vintage razor blades ASTRA, Gllette box vintage, safety razor blades VintageOldFox (373) $19.23 It's in pretty great shape; I'm just curious if anyone could help identify the model. Its gold plated like the name suggests, and after some cleaning techniques, is restored to its original color! NOS. If the gap between the bottom and the head of the razer is wider, the more aggressive the shave will be. If youre skittish about handling the blade, consider a razor with butterfly head as they require you to handle the blade the least. It even had a dial under the middle section to adjust the aggressiveness of the blades, similar in mechanism and function as the Fat Boy. Theres an appreciation for the old-fashioned and unconventionally stylish, which is why the vintage element of wet shaving, though they stopped from the 30s to the 50s, Badger and Blades Wiki on Gillette Vintage Razor Timelines, Shaving101s Guide to Vintage Gillette Razors, SLVshadows Video Guide to his Vintage Gillette Collection, Sharpologistss Guide to the Best DE Razors (Includes Vintage Gillettes), Classic Razors Short Guide to Gillette Safety Razors Throughout History. Here comes cool feature: On top of the twisting dial, there was another dial, separated by an indicating line. After you prepare your face for shaving, use strokes that go with the grain of your facial hair. I have found cases made of leather to pig skin, to a zippered case as well, all minimized for space. Quite difficult to adjust if you are newer to the game. The intention of this article is to showcase razors that can be found readily and not to showcase razors that are locked in museums or so far out of reach that readers will never be able to try. Gunzenhausen in Regierungsbezirk Mittelfranken (Bavaria) with it's 16,477 habitants is a city located in Germany about 262 mi (or 422 km) south-west of Berlin, the country's capital town. Email Address. One additional feature is that it has a slot on the blade cover, that fits into the groove in the guard. Right back to the basics, while giving you that retro WOW factor! Your email address will not be published. Im sure reading this would make you want to get your hands on one these razors. :), These feel way high, especially the tradere and wolfmen. (Not in my experience.). This single-edged blade is perfect for those of you on a tight budget who still want to experience the luxury a vintage razor can give you. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The best vintage razors were produced by Gillette from the 1940s to the 1970s. Not only this, but its also way more environmentally friendly (reducing the size of those landfills!) In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife Linda, reading, writing, outdoor activities and collecting wet shaving apparel. There was one sale for $4k recently on ebay, but the razor was returned for a refund. Filed Under: Shaving Reviews Tagged With: adjustable, bbs-1, expensive, gillette, toggle, tradere, vintage, wolfman. Due to the fat handle, the length of the razor is quite minuscule. When young men first encounter the idea of using a safety razor, they worry that they wont be able to causally slap and drag a razor across their face without any of the consequences of a 80s teen-scream movie. Copyright All rights reserved | Barber's Corner, Best Mens Aftershave Lotion for Sensitive Skin (2023). Sometimes it is also called a "Fat Boy". The production of this razor started in the late 1940s and continued intermittently till the late 1970s. Might cause irritation if youre not experienced with safety razors. If you have a $100,000 to spend check out the Zafirro Iridium, a kickstarter campaign for a cartridge razor.Its important to mention that just two years ago a Gillette set that had JFKs initials was sold at auction for $35,000 and to my knowledge may be the highest a safety razor has ever sold for.So without any delay, lets go over the most valuable safety razors of 2018*Disclaimer: This article is based on the theory by the writer who has years of experience collecting razors. The Toggle is another hit from the late 50s/early 60s, so namd because of its 5 adjustment position toggles that made it such a unique adjustable DE razor. We have also been remodeling, flipping, and building houses for the last 20 some years. Heres a link for the toggle razor and another pricier one which comes with its original box: The aristocrat was Gillettes first razor with twist to open design. First manufactured in 1953, this type of razor was heavily promoted on radio shows and posters alike, branding the shaver as being the sharpest V-Edge of all. The code was a letter and a number. Also ABC Gillette Vintage Razors are highly sought after? This is why the blue tip is so useful! It was Gillettes lowest price razor. Gillette, from 1903 to 1929 would use serial numbers to mark its razors. All in all, its a fantastic razor, and a wonderful bit of history. Those of us with skin that is prone to irritation will understand the pain in trying to find a vintage safety razor that will give a close shave, without leaving us with the redness. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The extremely rare yet innovative Apollo Mikron was released in limited quantity around the 1950s and consisted of a similar design as Gillettes Fatboy. I recognize people are sending me family heirlooms, favorite daily shavers, their Dads razor, and that they expect a high level of care be given to their razor. These guys are much more varied in look and functionality than other models of older Gillette razor, but you definitely get that upper-crust hoity-toity feeling from them, in addition to the history you feel youre holding in your hand. The best way in my mind to show my appreciation to the members of B&B is to keep my prices affordable. Some people like to have a bowl of water, others rinse the blade under the faucet. The base toggle carries a D1 (1st quarter of 1958) and F4 (4th quarter of 1960) and were a staggering $10 retail. I saw how others in my business ran into a few problems in the past using the forums to conduct their business. Now, this brand of double-edged razors is extravagant. This was popular practice in the 20th century as Gillette made razors for many esteemed designers.Although its unsure if any more of razors exist its safe to say that this set was probably reserved for royalty and the rich and famous.Recently sold at auction, this razor makes the top of list for 2018 although it is a complete set at $11,000. Thus, Wolfman was born.Using high tech CNC machining Wolfman lets you choose the type of metal, blade gap, guard and finish when you go to check out. It is available in various minor modifications. Your first port of call will be the attic of your parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents house. The adjustable razor products went through many iterations and refinement over . Theres a version where the handle is long and thin, and one where the handle has a ball end. After the addition of the bakelite handle in 1936, the outward appearance of the razor changed very little until the mid 1950's. Toggle menu. A: I have been accused of that a few times. Great article! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The middle section, or the guard bar, which holds the blade has triangular guard holes, instead of rectangular ones. Therefore, it is one of the quickest shaves out of all the vintage safety razors. Vintage Gem 1912 Style Single Edge Safety Razor with Brown/Purple . Prices vary but expect to pay $$$ for uncased user friendly pieces and $$$$ for mint condition NOS models. A one size fits all product. Gillette was trying to find one razor that could meet the needs of any individual regardless of their shaving needs. Vintage Gillette safety razors, like all safety razors, might be a little intimidating to the novice user. Joe Borrelli is a long-time wet shaving enthusiast and collector. These razors are still sought after widely today because of their sturdiness, their immensely smooth shave, and the simple yet effective design that solidified Gillettes reputation as a powerhouse shaving company. Your razor just needs to work properly. Gillette had made numerous models of razors since 1903 when they first started. The key is to avoid knocking the blade against anything to ensure the blade stays sharp and secure in the razor. If it is a one-piece razor, go to 6. NEW. Another option is to look for vintage safety razors in antique stores. Nicknamed by collectors from the double ring design on the neck, it was first introduced in 1901 and for sale in 1903. Can you imagine doing that with an electric shaver? I have a Darwin hollow ground safety razor made by Fitzwilliam Works, Sheffield, England. There are 10 basic types of razors in this family, leaving aside minor variations in handles, country of production, finishes, and kits. Find out more about Joe here. With Gillette moving from this quality series of razors to the plastic disposable ones, you will have to find one that has been restored. Vintage Razors Identification Gillette, from 1903 to 1929 would use serial numbers to mark its razors. Silver models in leather snap fastened case and long rectangular white box. QUALITY- I feel that quality work comes from experience and concentration. This razor is characterized by a curved guard, and there are long spike attached to the middle section too, forming what is called an open comb design. great article, knew nothing of the Asprey, + Captains Choice Bay Rum Shave Soap+ Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream+ Merkur 34C Razor+ Supply Single Edge SE Razor+ Vikings Blade Meiji Adjustable Razor+ Gillette SkinGuard Razor+ Parker Pure Badger Shave Brush+ Henson AL 13 Razor+ Merkur 23C Razor+ OneBlade CORE Razor> Mantic59s favorite products on Amazon#ad, Copyright 20112023 Sharpologist.com LLC, vintage Wade and Butcher sold for over $27,000. During some periods, for example mid-1927 to mid-1928, there were no serial numbers used. Think of this razor as having the twist to open top, without the twisting mechanism. A: Three Things, Quality, Time, and Money. The Gillette 195 Adjustable Safety Razor or as it is more commonly known the "Fatboy" was made for three and a half years between 1958 (D-3) and 1962 (H-1). The three types of blades in vintage safety razors are double-edged, single-edged, and injector blades. Work the tto back and forth by gripping it with a damp washcloth and twisting back and forth while making the 1/4 turn for about a minute. 2018 Value: $250-$1000+The Gillette Toggle, a lasting collectable that for years have held its own in terms of value. 1a. This fat handle is designed for a clean but more aggressive shave. If it has a solid guard bar, it is a Tech. Might take a few more passes than usual since the blades are straight rather than scalloped. This list contains razors that are rare, but available to purchase through auction sites and/or in the Buy-Sell-Trade areas of popular forums and wet shaving websites. I recommend adding this antique to your collection, as it has such historical presence! Safety Razor Kits BOG Old World Razors Occam's Razor . This corresponds to the time King Gillette was directly associated with the business, and may have been at his insistence. Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nations largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. Vintage Gillette safety razors, like all safety razors, might be a little intimidating to the novice user. Over time, skin oils and shave soap lubricate the inside of the razors. A: Cutoff for shipping is 4:00 PM and I ship Monday through Friday. There are about seven different types of Aristocrats, so this type is more like a class of razors. You could even purchase them in a 7 day set complete with 7 blades, and the unique stropping mechanism to be used with a conventional strop. He hosts the Wet Shaving News/Talk Podcast , runs his own self-funded website http://shavestraightandsafe.com/ and operates a YouTube channel to help inform the community of new information involving the wet shaving world. . They are found in the top left and right corners on the underside of razor guards, both 3 piece and 1 piece models. During the 19th century, seven-day sets became popular, allowing a home-shaver to sharpen them all at once and have a fresh blade for each day of the week. Q: How come you are always moving and closing down temporarily. THREE-PIECE RAZORS: 2a. Check this out for more information. Adjustables need oiled in the TTO end, where the threaded nuts against the springs are. Later models can accept modern blades without modification. Here, Ill introduce you to the most common and popular ones. Value: $500-$880A rare piece indeed, the Red Dot Fatboy was a product of Gillettes testing process for adjustable razors Only believed to be released in 1958 and recently discovered to be released in 1960, the Red Dot has the exterior build of a regular 195 Fat Boy razor (slightly larger) and the interior of the famous Toggle.If you happen to find an 1960 (F4) Red Dot you may have one of only a few known to exist. The feeling of owning an antique razor, a rare collectible, is like no other. It is hard to spot the decorated top razors in the market nowadays, as most of them are sold out. and 850 SB (estimate) razors made in less than two years the company was in business.Value of any Tradere is about $550-$950 with the storage case. Within 5 miles of your location. Q: How come you dont participate, advertise or support Badger and Blade? (Repeating) Razor. Used models are easier to come by. Thread . If you are happy paying a premium for a restored version, I recommend buying from a website dedicated to vintage razors, for example, abovethetie.com. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Forums. Comprehensive List of Gem SE Razors. Find out more about Joe here. He hosts the Wet Shaving News/Talk Podcast , runs his own self-funded website http://shavestraightandsafe.com/ and operates a YouTube channel to help inform the community of new information involving the wet shaving world. Out of all the razors on this list make sure you do your homework before taking the plunge.Red Dots have been steadily increasing in value so we predict this razor will move up on the list in the next few years. In short, you get exactly what you want. The most common and favored type is the double-edged, found commonly in Gillette brands. Ive ordered this vintage Gillette razor guide chronologically, and along the way Ill talk about the perks of every razor, as well teach you to identify some vintage Gillette razors. You can identify it easily as it was manufactured in the first quarter of 1958 (D-1) and again for the fourth quarter of 1960 (F-4), so your original vintage razor will come with those codes. Has the ability to adjust the blade gap between the razors edge and its head. It was one of the first razors that come with a twist to open design. The three types of blades in vintage safety razors are double-edged, single-edged, and injector blades. Start with the flat planes of your face like your cheeks, then move on to the trickier parts like your chin and upper lip. Its unique design with the adjustment dial on the bottom of the handle rather than the neck of the razor was not popular amongst the select few who were able to try one. Why havent you made the switch yet? The number one inquiry we receive from customers and vintage shaving enthusiasts relate to dating Gillette Safety Razors. It's a lot, and the variations can be subtle. Manage Settings True reviews come without being solicited, and without the impute from the reviewee. These vintage safety razors though simply designed got the best work done! Vintage Gillette & More. Vintage Shaver Safety Razor Gillette, Made in France Shavers, Collectible Safety Razor, Gift for Men VintageOdessaShop (608) $35.00 FREE shipping Vintage 1939 Gillette British Popular No. There are some tables available on website which help you match the serial number to the date of manufacture, and a quick look at one of them will do the job. With around 2000 razors produced Wolfman has become a little easier to find in the secondary market.At $325 new for a stainless steel model (which at the time of this writing is the only metal available) this razor is far from cheap. Again if youre lucky . :) Il e more informed the next time Im perusing a garage/yard sale. Gillette Blade Date Codes (and earlier lot systems) were imprinted on one side of the blade as a series of letters and/ or numbers, or on the cartridge. I try to keep my concentration high to keep the quality as high as I can get it for my customers. It was rumored that a TI BBS-1 sold privately for $10K during the summer of 2018 but this sale is unconfirmed.Check out this article for more information on the BBS-1. It has the Gillette logo on the front of its top cover, and a knurled handle with a ball on the end. Gives a very close, smooth shave. The dial came with numbers 1-9 to adjust the aggressiveness and some dials came with numbers 1-5. I personally think thats really neat, since it offers a nice middle ground between the flexibility of a fully adjustable razor and the rigidity of a fixed-gap razor. This is great for people who want to have different settings depending on their beard or specific shaving needs, or someone who just wants to make sure that their razor is set precisely to where they need. The handle texture allows for amazing grip, even when using shaving oil! Nowadays cartridge razors with multiple, disposable blades enclosed within a plastic case are gaining ground. All the coding systems are listed below. They too have the ability to bring big bucks in auctions. $75.00. 855.264.1199. Its all about the experience of collecting and having funAbout the Author:Joe Borrelli is a long-time wet shaving enthusiast and collector. Within 5 kilometers of your location. Fatboy Mirror Nickel $140, 24K Gold or Palladium $155, Slim Adjustable Mirror Nickel $120, 24K Gold or Palladium $135, Billings, MT (Summer) and Chloride, AZ (Winter), Email Me at: 2cmspencer@gmail.com (my prefered communication method). Some blades come individually wrapped, some in a small box, some in a little spring-loaded magazine. If you are lucky you can pick up a Tradere for $500 and thats without the box!The Wolfman at $750. What about the Weber Stainless Steel Razors that were only produced for a short time? It reminds me of a small pistol case and is very desirable with collectors.After several issues with the manufacturers, Tradere stopped production and the rest is history. The exact installation process will depend on which razor you end up with. The downfall is the list is rarely open and when it is the razors are usually sold out in a matter of minutes. Hell, even now, after Gillette moved on from the wet shaving DE razor trend, theyre still one of the biggest names in razors. This was an alternative to buying a new razor after every shave! 210 S 37th St Phoenix, AZ 85034. The SB which sports the solid guard bar is gentle and the mildest of the three. Determining the best vintage razor for you is a daunting task. Current time in Gunzenhausen is now 07:51 PM (Saturday). Heres a place where you can buy your Old Type razor. The Gillette Adjustables were produced from 1955 until 1988. From 1930-1949, Gillette didnt mark its razor but started marking its blades. [caption Vaseline is a well-known brand of petroleum jelly. This is a TTO (Twist to Open) double-edged razor that is engineered to perfection to give a mild shave that is silky on the skin. Prices range from $$ for basic uncased models to $$$ for complete sets. If you happen to find one in a tin then you have a true unicorn. We have also been remodeling, flipping, and building houses for the last 20 some years. For the last 5 years, I make $30 for the 1 1/2 hours of work it takes for each razor netting me an income of around $20 per hour. This may cause more irritation if you are not able to get the pressure right, but will also give you a sharper shave. For a beginner, you want a less aggressive shaver. The heavier the razor is, the more useful for beginners. They just dont make them like they used to anymore, and owning a vintage razor will make you a minority. c0ry Jan 13, 2010 1 2 Next Jan 13, 2010 #1 C c0ry Hi all, first post here. At a retail price of $179, it was actually really expensive way back in 2012. Razor Date Codes began in 1951 and used the same system blades had used since 1931, a code that identified the year and calendar quarter of manufacture. $6.00 shipping. The short handle makes it comfortable and easy to maneuver. OK. Join Our Newsletter. Theres an appreciation for the old-fashioned and unconventionally stylish, which is why the vintage element of wet shaving appeals to us so much.