Antique Aquisition! 1930's Gillette! High Res Expose!

**Brien Hopkins** · 08-17-2009, 07:35 PM

I swooped up this little number at a South Boston flee market for 5 dollars. I'm not sure what the exact model is, but I think it's from the 1930s. Any help here would be appreciated. Also, any background info, or methods of cleaning this would be helpful. Should I clean it and use it? Should I sell it? I really don't know what I'm going to do with it, yet. If you're interested, make an offer. We'll see what happens. Without further ado:

This is how I found her. Timid, and unassuming, on a dusty table, in the middle of a bustling flee market. Honestly, I didn't even know it was a safety razor yet.

Bottom of the chest. Patent dates?

I popped the box open, and there she was. A golden glory to behold.

Razors box. I think this picture came out really well. Stylish no?

The blades inside. Anyone know anything about these blades?

And there were a couple of loose blades in the box.

I could take more pictures, if you want.

**Darjeeling Express** · 08-17-2009, 07:41 PM

That's a wonderful long toothed New. Not sure if that case is properly matched to the razor, but it is beautiful none the less.

**DunEdinRanger** · 08-17-2009, 07:44 PM

+1 And let me add some drool too!

**mr-razor** · 08-17-2009, 08:03 PM

Very nice find! It´s only the second time, that I see this case. Mine comes with a 1909 single ring. I will post pictures later. Your razor is a 30s NEW and the blades are from 1949.

**markb** · 08-17-2009, 09:27 PM

Great score!! I love my 30's long-tooth New!!

Congrats!! They're great shavers!

**ctakim** · 08-17-2009, 10:12 PM

Wow, as Achim says, it is a bit of a time capsule, but very worthwhile all the same. Nicely done sir!

**mr-razor** · 08-18-2009, 07:07 AM

Here are the pictures from my 1909 Single Ring:

**Brien Hopkins** · 08-18-2009, 07:50 AM

If I were to clean it up, how would I go about that? I understand there's a particular method for these gold finish razors.

**Brien Hopkins** · 08-18-2009, 03:01 PM

2 questions:

What are the combs for?

And how sound is this advice, for cleaning a gold plated razor (from B&B's own brumble)?

1. Soak in mix of warm/hot water and mild dish soap. Don't use anything with abrasives in it.
2. Rinse off with warm/hot watter. If you've still got gunk, spray the razor with scrubbing bubbles. Give the bubbles time to scrub and then rinse off the razor with warm/hot water.
3. Avoid scrubbing the razor. If you need to scrub use the mildest scrubber you can find, a soft cloth, microfibre or maybe a toothbrush, and be as gentle and as brief as possible with the scrubbing. I had success using Scrubbing Bubbles wipes.
4. Once the razor is clean disinfect it by soaking it in rubbing allcohol that is at least 70 percent ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. It's safe, cheap and easy to find. Don't use bleach as it can damage the razor. Dont' use Barbicide. It's mentioned alot on the boards, but health authorities (in Canada at least) don't consider it appropriate to use to disinfect razors: http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/healt...bicide_en.html
5. Spray some Windex on the razor to bring up the shine.

**Brien Hopkins** · 08-18-2009, 06:46 PM

Well I boiled in a pot with a little Fantastic mixed in. Rinsed it off, and then let it soak in the sink with hot water and windex. Did some light rubbing with a paper towel afterward. It looks shinier. I don't think I damaged the finish or anything. Still looks gold.

Minor caveat: Feather blades, because of the way they're packaged, don't fit in the tin blade holder, unless I kinda pull the paper wrap tighter around the blade. But it's worth it, since the tin will hold at least 20 blades.

**Brien Hopkins** · 08-18-2009, 07:49 PM

I just finished my first shave with it. Way less forgiving than the Merkur HD. But I got a much closer shave. I've got to learn what angle to hold it at. What are combs for? They seemed to just push the lather around my face, rather than pick it up.

**RocketMan** · 08-19-2009, 07:53 AM

That is a wonderful razor case. I didn't know they were making a metal case in that style back then - I thought they were all the black leather style case. Very nice find!! (And thnx Achim for the contribution - I was rather puzzled looking at that case - particularly the latch. )

**82R100** · 08-19-2009, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Brien Hopkins

I just finished my first shave with it. Way less forgiving than the Merkur HD. But I got a much closer shave. I've got to learn what angle to hold it at. What are combs for? They seemed to just push the lather around my face, rather than pick it up.

I think the case can be made that it's the job of the blade to pick up the lather that the combs push around. If you're leaving comb patterns of lather that indicates that you've got the angle wrong.

- Chris