Razor purchase advice

**GeorgeMason** · 10-15-2010, 08:04 PM

I have decided that I would like to pick up a Gillette Slim or Fatboy so I am going to go search the flea markets this weekend to see what I can come up with. I know what I want, and I am looking for a user and not a collection piece, but what should I be looking for in a usable razor, and what should I avoid?

**DE Shaver** · 10-15-2010, 08:45 PM

It's hard to say. Ostensibly, you should avoid razors with any flaking or corrosion. Make sure everything twists nice and smooth or at least closes nicely. Cleaning up a razor is one thing but avoid buying a razor thinking you can "repair it". I'll let the Fatboy ad Slim experts take over from here.

**GeorgeMason** · 10-15-2010, 10:52 PM

I have no intentions of "repairing" a razor, give me a bike and I can make it run like new for enough money. A razor on the other hand is a different animal to me

I guess that if they wont let me handle it I will pass no matter how cheap it is. I have never been to the flea markets here, but the guy that cave me the Rocket flare tip said that that is where he got it and that there was more there all in the 1-5 dollar range

**johnmrson** · 10-16-2010, 12:30 AM

Make sure the TTO mechanism works OK and the doors lock down nice and tight.

**alex2363** · 10-16-2010, 01:43 AM

check to see if the adjustments work too from 1 to 9 u should hear a click and see it move

**GeorgeMason** · 10-16-2010, 01:47 AM

What would be a good price for a 50's gold Slim in reasonable condition? At least I think its a Slim and it has been listed as a 1950 solid brass razor. I am guessing that the seller is mistaking the gold plating as a brass razor, he has it listed for $35. This is the only picture he has in the listing.

**GeorgeMason** · 10-16-2010, 02:24 PM

So I went to the Flea Market today, I didn't find a slim adjustable, But I did find two that cought my eye so I picked them up. Both are fine mechanically, but the plating on them is rough. With my not so great deduction skills I think what I have is a Canadian made Tech Fat handle. Not sure of the year or if the case is right, but I liked it.

I am pretty sure that this one is an Aristocat 1948-1950. There is no date code on it so I am just going by the pictures in the ShaveWiki. Plating on the handle is worn but in OK condition, but the doors have just a ring of gold along the edges and nothing on the safety bars.

I plan on keeping them as users, but is it worth getting them replated, just to bring them back to their original glory?

Thanks for looking, you know I never wanted to start collecting razors, but I was given a Rocket Flare Tip last week and it took off from there

**LiveOak** · 10-16-2010, 02:37 PM

If the razor is mechanically good, replating is a good option. You would end up spending more on a new HD, Muhle, etc. People do it with antique cars (restoration). Why not razors? I am still amazed how well all of my vintage Gillettes perform. They work like they are supposed to and they are 50 or 60 years old in most cases. No one babied them. The razors were used and they still work just like they were designed to (I am talking mainly about TTO's and adjustables). Amazing quality. It's cliched, but they don't build them like they used to.

As far as Slims or Fatboys, you can still find them in the wild outside of ebay. Many people still don't know that you can actually get blades for them, so when you see them at flea markets, etc. they are glad to be rid of them. You could look on the BST here and not get soaked.

That gold Slim Adustable was actually called an Aristocrat, but is just a Slim Adjustable.

**GeorgeMason** · 10-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Yeah I found out that it was an Aristocat while hunting down what I bought today. The Adjustable Aristocat is a private sale and not at the Flea Market, I sent the seller an email last night but haven't heard back from him yet on wether or not is is already sold. If its still vailable I will check it out on Friday and but it too if it is in good shape. Now I have to try find a local place to get them replated, the tech should be easy enough to get done, but the aristocat might be a different story with the moving parts.

magelsen · 10-17-2010, 02:51 AM

You may want to consider looking for 1930's Gillette NEW OC (my preference long tooth). A bar handle version in great shape can be easily had for less than $15 on eBay. I think I have purchased a shaver grade for $5. Not my favorite for looks, but the NEW OC head is considered amongst the top shavers by many.

**jansob** · 10-17-2010, 03:53 AM

Before you replate, use them for a while...you may find that one of them is just not for you...don't spend the cash to replate on a razor you won't use.

**GeorgeMason** · 10-17-2010, 11:23 AM

I used the Aristocrat last night, I was expecting a shave similar to my Rocket Flare Tip, but it is considerably more aggressive, and cuts faster and cleaner. Got a nice nick on the corner of my upper lip, didn't feel it or notice it till I saw the blood. I will be giving the Tech a run tonight to see what I think of it.

I just like the looks of both razors and will probably get them both replated, I am almost tempted to get them both done in gold, being that I have no intentions of selling them I don't see the problem with that, but the Tech wasn't gold to start with so I am up in the air about it.
Right now I am searching to find out what the original plating was in the Tech and roughly what year it is. I know 2 things about it right now 1/ it wasn't made in 1932 and 2/ 1932 is not the pat. number, Canadian Patent Numbers are 7 digits.

**alex2363** · 10-17-2010, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by GeorgeMason

I used the Aristocrat last night, I was expecting a shave similar to my Rocket Flare Tip, but it is considerably more aggressive, and cuts faster and cleaner. Got a nice nick on the corner of my upper lip, didn't feel it or notice it till I saw the blood. I will be giving the Tech a run tonight to see what I think of it.

I just like the looks of both razors and will probably get them both replated, I am almost tempted to get them both done in gold, being that I have no intentions of selling them I don't see the problem with that, but the Tech wasn't gold to start with so I am up in the air about it.
Right now I am searching to find out what the original plating was in the Tech and roughly what year it is. I know 2 things about it right now 1/ it wasn't made in 1932 and 2/ 1932 is not the pat. number, Canadian Patent Numbers are 7 digits.

replate them, ONOTOMAN our member here does great work. ask him for any advise http://badgerandblade.com/vb/member.php?u=8180

**GeorgeMason** · 10-17-2010, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by alex2363

replate them, ONOTOMAN our member here does great work. ask him for any advise http://badgerandblade.com/vb/member.php?u=8180

He is in the UK and I am in Canada, I think that the shipping would just make it a bit to pricey for me.

**njpaddy** · 10-17-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by GeorgeMason

I used the Aristocrat last night, I was expecting a shave similar to my Rocket Flare Tip, but it is considerably more aggressive...

I too found a 48-50 Aristocrat too aggressive & only used it once.

**cnnc97** · 10-17-2010, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by GeorgeMason

He is in the UK and I am in Canada, I think that the shipping would just make it a bit to pricey for me.

Not sure what the shipping to the US is, but I have heard good things about Reliable Electroplating in Massachussetts. They do TTOs in addition to 3 piece razors.

**BBrad** · 10-17-2010, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by GeorgeMason

I just like the looks of both razors and will probably get them both replated, I am almost tempted to get them both done in gold, being that I have no intentions of selling them I don't see the problem with that, but the Tech wasn't gold to start with so I am up in the air about it.
Right now I am searching to find out what the original plating was in the Tech and roughly what year it is. I know 2 things about it right now 1/ it wasn't made in 1932 and 2/ 1932 is not the pat. number, Canadian Patent Numbers are 7 digits.

Tech razors were plated in both gold and nickel, and are made of brass components. You are correct, the Tech was not made in 1932 but this is commonly described as such on eBay. Gillette was granted a Canadian patent in 1932 for this razor design, hence the 1932 stamping on the Canadian Tech base plates.

**GeorgeMason** · 10-17-2010, 02:10 PM

From today's searching and looking at pictures of techs I am even more confused on what the age of the razor. I thought that maybe the solid bar/ridge on the blade holder might give some indication of the production date, but I found examples with both solid and split listed from 1940-1955.
I just finished a boil and scrub with a soft toothbrush and some toothpaste, the plating isn't as worn as I first thought. It is worn through to the brass a bit on the inside and on the edges of the blade holder. I know that it is brass construction, but the color looks a lot like copper. being a part time knife maker I work with a lot of brass for pins and have yet to see copper colored brass, but all the brass I work with is new not 60+ years old

**BBrad** · 10-17-2010, 03:43 PM

I think some of the earlier caps were made of copper like the NEW, with the base plate made of brass.

**GeorgeMason** · 10-18-2010, 03:15 PM

SO I sent a quote request off to Reliable today to see how much it will be to get them re-plated. Even though the Tech wasn't gold to start I think it will be in the end just because I like the look of it. Either way if I ever do sell them I will be honest and say up fron that they were re-plated even if it does devalue them