Vintage dispenser and blade pack questions

[IronHammer]

I know we talk alot about safety razors in this sub-forum but I am wondering..is there an appropriate place to ask questions about vintage blade packs and dispensers? I have not had much luck asking specific collector-related questions in the razor blade sub-forum as they seem to mainly focused on performance of modern and vintage stainless steel blades. So I have a couple of questions but I don't want to bore everybody to death if it's not appropriate.

Perhaps there should be a sub-forum for blade collectors to discuss the in's and out's of vintage blade collecting? Maybe this has been discussed before and been shot down. Sorry if it has.

Thanks!
-Todd

[IronHammer]

Okay. I'll just shoot I guess.

I picked up these NOS blade packs off the bay and I have a question about each of them.

1. The newer dispenser box seems unique to me. I cannot find an example of it on Achim's site or anywhere else. I can peek into the slot on the back and see that the dispenser is white with red lettering 'Gillette Stainless' horizontally across the end. Does anybody know these are? I hate to tear open the package.

2. This NOS box of green blades has something I haven't seen before. There is a red sticker across the seam on either end of the box. I don't want to break the seal to see what these are but the wording on the back of the box is very different than any box I have seen of these. There is no Gillette arrow logo on the back nor is there the price at the lower left corner. What are these?

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Razors/Fun%20with%20Dispensers/Images/1.jpg

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Razors/Fun%20with%20Dispensers/Images/2.jpg

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Razors/Fun%20with%20Dispensers/Images/3.jpg

[mattface]

I don't know much about old blades, but I do find them fascinating, such a myriad of blades and packaging out there. I'm half tempted to try the vintage blades, but I like the shave from my new ones too much to risk it at this point, maybe some day when I grow bored of the myriad assortment of current production blades.

Curious to see what you find out about these. I expect the stainless blades are newer. Packaging looks sorta fifties to me, but I thought stainless blades were not prevalent until the 60s. Again though I don't know from vintage blades, this is just me entertaining myself with wild speculation, and vicarious vintage blade pleasure. :blushing:

[mr-razor]

It looks like you have found the missing package for my display card :biggrin1:

about the Old Type blades: no idea, but very nice found!

[IronHammer]

Achim, thanks! This image is not in your Razor blade gallery. I looked all over for it. My photos above don't show the back of the box, but it even says $1.45 at the bottom right corner. Could you add that image to your gallery for reference? I know I and many others use your index for reference.

I found out from Haiti222 on the Razor Blade sub-forum that there was an advertisement in 1963 (http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VlUaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wxAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2352,36928&dq=gillette+stainless&hl=en) for these. I guess they were Gillette's first (and failed) attempt at stainless but they were quite unpopular due to poor edges.

[mattface]

Man I LOVE that packaging! Almost makes me want to create some sort of display for razor blade packages, maybe a shadow box to hang on the bathroom wall. I know I say I don't like to collect things I don't use, but this is art. :thumbup1:

[IronHammer]

I don't know much about old blades, but I do find them fascinating, such a myriad of blades and packaging out there. I'm half tempted to try the vintage blades, but I like the shave from my new ones too much to risk it at this point, maybe some day when I grow bored of the myriad assortment of current production blades.

Curious to see what you find out about these. I expect the stainless blades are newer. Packaging looks sorta fifties to me, but I thought stainless blades were not prevalent until the 60s. Again though I don't know from vintage blades, this is just me entertaining myself with wild speculation, and vicarious vintage blade pleasure. :blushing:

I find myself in the throws of VRBAD (vintage razor blade accquisition disorder). I can't explain why I am so fascinated by these simple, disposable things. The trouble I am finding is that there doesn't seem to be any other avid collectors of these. At least, nobody that knows anything about them, anyway.

[mattface]

I find myself in the throws of VRBAD (vintage razor blade accquisition disorder). I can't explain why I am so fascinated by these simple, disposable things. The trouble I am finding is that there doesn't seem to be any other avid collectors of these. At least, nobody that knows anything about them, anyway.


I get it I find them very attractive as well, but I'm trying not to give into ADs for things I won't use, my place is already cluttered enough with what I have now. I'll follow your latest AD and attempt to take vicarious pleasure in your acquisitions.

[IronHammer]

After doing some research and thinking about this some more, I have a hypothesis on the green blade box.

The box does not have any sign of the Diamond and Arrow trademark which wasn't introduced until 1908. As well, neither 'Made in USA' or "REG US PAT OFF" are on the front. In addition, there is the red sticker that seals the ends that DOES bear the Gillette diamond logo.

I believe these were produced very near 1908 but not after. The red seal, I believe, served a dual purpose. It was placed on the box to mark it with their new Gillette logo (since that logo was nowhere on the packaging) as well as an early attempt to prevent tampering. The interesting thing is, I find no mention or sign of this tamper sticker in any photos, either in Krumholz or elsewhere. It must have been an early way to tamper-proof their boxes but must have been abandoned due to labor/cost considerations.

[Topgumby]

Man I LOVE that packaging! Almost makes me want to create some sort of display for razor blade packages, maybe a shadow box to hang on the bathroom wall. I know I say I don't like to collect things I don't use, but this is art. :thumbup1:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/bladeart.jpg

Pretty small scale example, but I understand the impulse.

[IronHammer]

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/bladeart.jpg

Pretty small scale example, but I understand the impulse.

Wow, that is a cool display. You get to admire them while you shave with that awesome looking Senator, too! Very nice.

[IronHammer]

Another thing I just read is that in 1908, Gillette dropped the price for a box of blades to $1 for 12 blades. If that is the case then a box of 6 would sell for .50 cents. The box I have is a box of 6. On the back it says that the sale price is not less than 50 cents.

[mattface]

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/bladeart.jpg

Pretty small scale example, but I understand the impulse.

:thumbup:

[maxman]

I'm always trying to find the proper blade packs for my razors.
I ended up with a mish mash of Gillette blade packs for razors I don't have (Pic #1)
But I also came into these lovely NOS packs of Super Blue Blades and Blue Blades. They're all still in the original cello. (Pic #2)

[IronHammer]

Very nice! Those look purdy!

In the top photo, right side, second from the top. You have the dispenser that came in the box shown in my photo above!

[maxman]

Very nice! Those look purdy!

In the top photo, right side, second from the top. You have the dispenser that came in the box shown in my photo above!

yeah, I don't remember where that came from, I bought them all from various lots on ebay.

[midniterambler]

without opening them (the cellophane wraped blue blades and super blues) and looking at a blade for a date code- is there any way to tell the dates of manufacture?

[IronHammer]

That's the hardest part of all. There are no sure-fire ways to identify dates based only on the packaging. The best we have is to compare a new, sealed package against another that has been opened and get an approximate date based on that.

This is why it's so very important to have reference sites like Achim's razor and razor blade gallery for identification.

But figuring it all out with the few clues we have is way more fun than just cross-referencing a date code! :thumbup1:

[maxman]

There is no way of dating right down to the exact year unless you can see the blades.

[IronHammer]

I have an interesting development to this thread! I just found an example of a what was originally a box of 12 blades that has the same red 'Gillette' seal used on my unopened box of blades that somebody else has opened. Inside it is full of pre-1908 blades (May 1905 in fact)! Notice that the box in this photo also does not bear the 'Made in USA' or the 'PAT REG USA'. I feel that this confirms my suspicion of my blade box being of very early origin! At least pre-1908 anyway. The wording on the back of this person's box is almost exactly the same as mine (except for pricing). It too, is missing the Diamond and Arrow logo of 1908. As you can imagine, I am VERY excited about this! Now I don't have to open my box. These blades go perfectly with my newly acquired 1906 Single Ring!

The only thing I can't figure out...and it's a biggie. How can the red seal have the Gillette 'Diamond and Arrow' logo design if it didn't exist until 1908?? The seal must have been added later to add authenticity or package security. Krumholz does not mention this red seal anywhere that I can find.

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Blade%20Images/1905 Box Front with red seal.jpg

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Blade%20Images/1905 Box Back.jpg

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Blade%20Images/1905 Blades.jpg

[IronHammer]

I get it I find them very attractive as well, but I'm trying not to give into ADs for things I won't use, my place is already cluttered enough with what I have now. I'll follow your latest AD and attempt to take vicarious pleasure in your acquisitions.

HAHA! We are in the same boat, Matt. I am off to Lowe's tonight to acquire some relatively inexpensive shelving to hold all of my stuff! Between the boxed sets (I have 17 now), single razors, Old Spice, Burma-Shave and vintage blade boxes my home office is almost overflowing! But MAN, do I love sitting and looking at all of it!

[gearchow]

I find myself in the throws of VRBAD (vintage razor blade accquisition disorder). I can't explain why I am so fascinated by these simple, disposable things. The trouble I am finding is that there doesn't seem to be any other avid collectors of these. At least, nobody that knows anything about them, anyway.

ebay always has blades listed and somebody buys them like crazy. I'm so happy I only get twitchy when I happen upon an unusual blade pack out and about. I do not go looking for them. Well, except that case of NOS Wardonia blades.

-jim

[IronHammer]

ebay always has blades listed and somebody buys them like crazy. I'm so happy I only get twitchy when I happen upon an unusual blade pack out and about. I do not go looking for them. Well, except that case of NOS Wardonia blades.

-jim

The prices they have on BIN's for NOS and blister pack blades are outrageous! Somebody must buy them or they wouldn't be so high!

[mattface]

HAHA! We are in the same boat, Matt. I am off to Lowe's tonight to acquire some relatively inexpensive shelving to hold all of my stuff! Between the boxed sets (I have 17 now), single razors, Old Spice, Burma-Shave and vintage blade boxes my home office is almost overflowing! But MAN, do I love sitting and looking at all of it!

Today I spent most of the day negotiating a contract on behalf of my union. I HATE negotiations, but someone has to do it, and I can talk pretty well, so they put me in there. Anyway, these things really stress me out. I brought my Aristocrat in to work with me, and from time to time I would take it out of my pocket, open the box, look at it remember this mornings shave, maybe caress it a little, and smile. I know I'm batshit crazy, but it was nice to have something that could make me smile in the midst of such a stressful situation. :blush:

P.S. I don't want to give in to VBAD, but I shaved with a spoiler for the first time this morning, and I really hope I can find more like that for a reasonable price.

[IronHammer]

Today I spent most of the day negotiating a contract on behalf of my union. I HATE negotiations, but someone has to do it, and I can talk pretty well, so they put me in there. Anyway, these things really stress me out. I brought my Aristocrat in to work with me, and from time to time I would take it out of my pocket, open the box, look at it remember this mornings shave, maybe caress it a little, and smile. I know I'm batshit crazy, but it was nice to have something that could make me smile in the midst of such a stressful situation. :blush:


:w00t::w00t::w00t: I thought I was the only one who carried vintage razors around in my pocket so I could steal looks at it throughout my work day! Oh, what am I gonna do when winter is over and I have no more big pockets?!! I know, I am gonna start working out of my home office for good and I can look ALL of them all day long!! Woohoo!

[RosaryMan]

I have an interesting development to this thread! I just found an example of a what was originally a box of 12 blades that has the same red 'Gillette' seal used on my unopened box of blades that somebody else has opened. Inside it is full of pre-1908 blades (May 1905 in fact)! Notice that the box in this photo also does not bear the 'Made in USA' or the 'PAT REG USA'. I feel that this confirms my suspicion of my blade box being of very early origin! At least pre-1908 anyway. The wording on the back of this person's box is almost exactly the same as mine (except for pricing). It too, is missing the Diamond and Arrow logo of 1908. As you can imagine, I am VERY excited about this! Now I don't have to open my box. These blades go perfectly with my newly acquired 1906 Single Ring!

The only thing I can't figure out...and it's a biggie. How can the red seal have the Gillette 'Diamond and Arrow' logo design if it didn't exist until 1908?? The seal must have been added later to add authenticity or package security. Krumholz does not mention this red seal anywhere that I can find.

http://rtccom.net/~sledge/Blade%20Images/1905 Blades.jpg

Can those old blades be used?

[mharris127]

Can those old blades be used?

People have, but the blades sharpness deteriorated over the last 100 years or so (the pictured blades are pre-1908) and they tug, hurt and cause nicks every time. In the 30's there was a holder/strop kit sold for about a quarter, so if you could get hold of one of those DE blade holders and a modern strop and hone set, they may sharpen enough to use. Otherwise, these blades are for display only.

However, if you find blades made after about 1960 and if they are made of modern stainless steel you might get away with using them.

[IronHammer]

Do you mean one of those Twinplex stroppers? I wonder how well they work. I have one. I will have to try it out.

The original ads from 1904 or so have testimonials where people claim to have gotten 65 shaves from one blade. Of course, because of the carbon steel, you have to keep it oiled between shaves and re-sharpen it every couple of shaves, I would think.

It surprises me that they would crow on about getting so many shaves from a single blade when it's obvious to anyone over the age of 10 that you would have to re-sharpen the thing to do it. Gillette was almost facist in trying to force people not to re-sharpen their blades mentioning it in every ad and on every blade. Weird marketing techniques for the period.

[maxman]

You can find DE blade stroppers on ebay for cheap.
Kriss Kross is another brand. I've got one you can have, but the price to ship it to you would be more than you could find one on ebay (probably).