Imagine if Gillette Reissued DE Razors Today?

**monk** · 03-20-2007, 09:27 AM

As an original Parker 51 pen owner, I'd like to point out that the '51 reissue was widely panned as a piece of crap. I just purchased a Parker 100 which is a modernized version of the '51 and after two weeks its in the shop on a warranty repair. Frankly, I think that the best reissues are more in the form of "tributes" better left to craftsmanship-minded third parties rather than to the original makers who have long since moved on.

**Hurling Frootmig** · 03-21-2007, 12:16 PM

And for the money you would be much better off buying as many original 51's as possible rather than the re-issue or the Parker 100. The might be built to the same level of quality of the Parker 21.

The question for Gillette is going to be how many of these high end reissues can we move every quarter. I doubt it is a high enough number for them.

**RJSquirell** · 03-21-2007, 12:53 PM

Sign me up!

**monk** · 03-21-2007, 04:29 PM

Have you checked out the prices of '51's in mint condition on eBay lately? Crazy! I have my Dad's made in 1952....it is spectacular and writes smoother than any other pen I have ever encountered, including rollerballs, etc. My Mont-Blanc Meisterstuck (1984) is a piece of crap by comparison. If you are looking for a great investment in both value and pleasure, this is it.

**TightLines** · 03-21-2007, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by monk

As an original Parker 51 pen owner, I'd like to point out that the '51 reissue was widely panned as a piece of crap. I just purchased a Parker 100 which is a modernized version of the '51 and after two weeks its in the shop on a warranty repair. Frankly, I think that the best reissues are more in the form of "tributes" better left to craftsmanship-minded third parties rather than to the original makers who have long since moved on.

I'm with you on the vintage 51s Monk. Superb FPs. I bought two of the 51 reissues Fine & XFine. Haven't even got them wet yet. Beautiful FPs. I was wondering about the 100s, sounds like your not having a good experience with them. I have some old 21s that are still superb writers. Love that hooded nib.

**Christoph** · 03-22-2007, 09:56 PM

The possibility of Gillette reissuing DEs, and the success of such an endevour would be all about marketing. I think that there would be tons of guys who would give them a try. An all metal DE would have more appeal than these plastic toys they sell now. I think a key factor would be including a pack of ten or twelve blades in each box, so a user would be set for a two or three months.

**SilverKarn** · 03-23-2007, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Christoph

The possibility of Gillette reissuing DEs, and the success of such an endevour would be all about marketing. I think that there would be tons of guys who would give them a try. An all metal DE would have more appeal than these plastic toys they sell now. I think a key factor would be including a pack of ten or twelve blades in each box, so a user would be set for a two or three months.

this all depends on the quality of the blades, how tuff the persons beard is ect.

if the blades are anything like Merkur blades, 12 blades would do me about 12 shaves.

**SilverKarn** · 04-22-2007, 09:19 AM

IF Gillette actually made some new DE razors, i bet they would make them in such a way that when you shave, you get a horrible shave, no matter what blade your using, just so people will switch back to cartridge razors.

Just look at DE blades, pretty much any blade you buy in the US sucks ass, you have to order from outside the US to get any decent blades, they make the blades in the US horrible on purpose so that people will think DE sucks and switch to cartridges.

If you dont have access to internet shopping, and a lot of people in the US dont, theres almost no way to get DE blades that dont cut your face up.

**TorzJohnson** · 04-22-2007, 09:27 AM

I can just see the Gillette rep reading over dszpiro's e-mail:

...most people pursuing 'wetshaving' end-up buying older models of Gillette DE razors.

He turns to the guy next to him and says "what the heck is a DE razor?"

**jkroll** · 04-22-2007, 09:55 AM

For Gillette to reissue DE razors would amount to an admission that the last 30-odd years of their history have been a mistake, and they would barely do that. Indeed, the company seems reluctant to acknowledge the existence of anything before the M3. There's no history on their website, no acknowledgment of other, still available, products: You wouldn't know about the Sensor from their current website. And, in a sense, why should we expect anything else? Gillette did not enter this world as a philanthropic enterprise (the utopian socialist leanings of King Camp Gillette himself notwithstanding), but to make mega$$ by devising a disposable product. They've just stuck to their original formula and refined it.

On a related note, does anyone know why they introduced the Sensor 3? My guess is they figured not enough Sensor users were making the switch and so they added a three-blade cartridge to every pack of Sensors to get people hooked... But maybe we've also had enough Gillette conspiracy theories here.

**napoleon** · 03-31-2008, 12:49 PM

I just read on another forum that gillette will start producing a DE razor again. It will be an unajustable one, 1 piece, TTO.

Nice. Woooooohooooooooooo

PS: Will try to find a link again.

**subrosa** · 03-31-2008, 01:05 PM

I am all for it, I hope it is just a superspeed rerelease. Gillette seems to be getting clever with the razors, the LAST thing I want is a vibrating superspeed.

**BD1970** · 03-31-2008, 01:14 PM

If that actually happens, don't expect it to be of the same type & quality as what we're accustom to. I'd be shocked if it were. It'll probably be really cheap & made in China.

**arcman** · 03-31-2008, 01:15 PM

Heh, no offense, but the last time I saw a thread claiming Gillette was making a new DE it was a link to someone selling a Parker and calling it a Gillette.

I'll believe it when I see it. ¬¬

**Hoos** · 03-31-2008, 01:17 PM

Is today April 1? Did I miss a whole day?

**77DX** · 03-31-2008, 01:18 PM

I'd be a bit surprised if this were true. King Camp Gillette invented the razor and blades business model, in which the "loss leader" (the razor) is sold at or near cost--or even given away--and the company recoups its loss selling blades. Gillette has exploited that model to the point that it's now getting four bucks for a Triple-Trac cartridge.

Why would Gillette go back to producing a razor for which it can't sell blades? It seems to be the consensus around here that Gillette blades aren't much (except some imported varieties).

I have a fairly new Merkur and a 1962 Gillette. I don't know if I can get excited about buying a razor from a company that thinks a vibrator with six blades on it is the epitome of the shaving experience.

**New2DEShaving_Montreal** · 03-31-2008, 01:19 PM

Is this for real? I have trouble believing this is true, specially with their Fusion raking in Gazillions of dollars...why would they go and produce a DE razor?

(If they do, I think it might just be a collector's special edition and insanely priced)

**arcman** · 03-31-2008, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by New2DEShaving_Montreal

Is this for real? I have trouble believing this is true, specially with their Fusion raking in Gazillions of dollars...why would they go and produce a DE razor?

(If they do, I think it might just be a collector's special edition and insanely priced)

Haha, they do this already with their cartridge razors.
This will cost you $250.

**AlanP** · 03-31-2008, 01:46 PM

I would expect this to be a poorly made pos, or a nicely made overpriced blingy razor.....

**subrosa** · 03-31-2008, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by AlanP

I would expect this to be a poorly made pos, or a nicely made overpriced blingy razor.....

I am not sure, is the beard considered part of your "grill"? I am imagining diamonds and "spinners" (not quite sure how that would work just yet, I am sure they have "good men" working on it.) I have a feeling even if they made one, it would not be for the US market, not sure where DE is still popular.