Gibbs Razor

[Nancy Boy]

Here's my latest e-bay find: it's a Gibbs adjustable DE made in France.

I have not seen too many adjustable DEs with the exception of the usual suspects, such as the Fatboy and Merkur brands. This one looks like it's never been used. My final bid was 87.00. I think I did well.

Can anyone help me with the date or any other information regarding this razor? I'd sure appreciate it.

[scoopster]

Sorry, no info. Just wanted to say: Nice looking razor - congtats!

[Nancy Boy]

Thanks, Dave. I thought so, too. I've never seen one like it before. I hope I can get some good shaves out of it.:001_smile

[Henrique]

Very nice! Hope you'll enjoy it.

[thirdeye]

Robert, That's a pretty fancy rigg. I 've not seen one like that before.
Please let us know how it shaves.

[mecha_buddha]

when you get it, please please post more pictures, that razor looks amazing.

[AlanP]

Seriuosly, post more of this razor, i'm really digg'n it.

[Nancy Boy]

Ok, guys, you asked for it...

[Nancy Boy]

and this one...

[bonzo60]

I was watching that one. That is a beauty!! Nice score.

[Nancy Boy]

Thanks, Mark. I saw a picture in a razor catalog (the one that was printed in the mid-90s) and they listed it for 25.00 back then. Given the current razor craze, I think I got a good deal. I was prepared to go higher. It's just that it's so unique. I just wish I knew a bit more about the razor itself.

[CJBianco]

Rock on! That's a sweet looking shave! (Share?)

Christopher

[Nancy Boy]

Well, guys, my razor finally arrived yesterday and what an exquisite beauty it is! I marveled at how pristine the razor was -- it looks completely unused.

There is an old Chinese saying: "may you get what you wish for".

Unfortunately, this saying applied to me.

As I looked and reveled in its solid, well made shape, with the red numbers perfectly intact, I thought to myself that I probably won't want to shave with it since it's just to handsome to dirty. I opened the razor up as I noticed a blade in it. I looked at the seat of the razor and the blade and suddenly, concern started to fill my mind.

I removed the blade, which had "GIBBS" imprinted on it and took one of my blades from a razor and to my sadness, it wouldn't fit. The razor has two small "posts" (see last photo in this thread) on the sides which will not allow a generic blade to fit in the razor. The Gibbs blade has two square notches on each side of the blade that allow the blade to be seated onto the razor.

My mind reeled as to how I might remedy this, but it was in vain.

Apparently, it is one of those razors that were made to only accept it's own unique custom blades.:frown:

So, in the end, I will never be able to shave with this. I got what I wished for.

There it sits -- a fine piece of machinery in my razor rack, taunting me to pick it up and have what would have probably been the best shave in my life.

I know I should have asked the seller about compatability, but didn't as I did not pay attention to the details of the photos and assumed it would take a generic blade.

Do I regret it. Not really. But I am a bit sad. I don't buy razors just to look at; I use them. However, down the road, it could turn out to be an investment.

So, there you have it. Sorry I can't report to you about the shaving aspect, but at least I have learned a valuable lesson.

[c2rex]

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3341/dremelxh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Its a razor, not the Mona Lisa

[AlanP]

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3341/dremelxh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Its a razor, not the Mona Lisa



+1.................

[kestrel]

Nancy Boy

I've got an old Wardonia that I have the same problem with. When I want to use it I just snap out the parts of the blade insert that get in the way with a pair of pliers. Seems to work just fine.

Best Regards

Graham

[MotoMike]

Aw, what a shame. It is handsome and appears to be well built. Is it heavy? All things being equal, that razor would have been sought after. Gibbs probably assured their demise by designing it for a proprietary blade. :confused: Despite your mis-fortune, could you take a series of close ups?

[e d o]

Rob,
That is a drag. I was really interested in how this shaved. I see I'm not the only one that thought of a dremmel. Next time you have your camera out I'm sure a few of us would like to see the inside of the head if you were so inclined.

[Nancy Boy]

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/3341/dremelxh5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Its a razor, not the Mona Lisa

But if I remove the nubs, won't that ruin the integrity of the razor? The blade would be slipping around all over the place when I shave?

[Nancy Boy]

Nancy Boy

I've got an old Wardonia that I have the same problem with. When I want to use it I just snap out the parts of the blade insert that get in the way with a pair of pliers. Seems to work just fine.

Best Regards

Graham

Gram, the steel is pretty thick and it would take more than a pair of plyers, I think.

[Nancy Boy]

Aw, what a shame. It is handsome and appears to be well built. Is it heavy? All things being equal, that razor would have been sought after. Gibbs probably assured their demise by designing it for a proprietary blade. :confused: Despite your mis-fortune, could you take a series of close ups?

Will try to take some pictures of it over the weekend to post.

[Nancy Boy]

Rob,
That is a drag. I was really interested in how this shaved. I see I'm not the only one that thought of a dremmel. Next time you have your camera out I'm sure a few of us would like to see the inside of the head if you were so inclined.

Yea, the more I think about it, the more depressed I'm getting.:frown2:

[Antique Hoosier]

After seeing your original Score thread, I did a little research into this razor and saw that it had it's own blades. Such a shame because it looks very nice and has a similar head geometry of a Merkur and most likely would have been a very nice shave. You could try to search for NOS Gibbs blades and a glass stropper and give it a go perhaps.

[Nancy Boy]

Thanks, Mike. I don't think I've ever seen ONS for these kinds of blades and don't know if I want to go through the bother.

I've seen those glass stoppers, btw. Do you use them and what do you think of them?

[Antique Hoosier]

I haven't used one but I bought one for "bathroom decor" in an antique shop... I originally thought it was a brush rest... and I have used it for that from time to time... or to prop up a razor for a pic...

[merwtje]

I sold H. Herdick the same razor and another Gibbs wich had two different blade gaps and he told me he had good shaves with it. He think he used scissors to adjust the blades. You can ask him, he will be happy to explain.