ABC Pocket Edition Comb Type

**dcoverdale** · 04-07-2012, 01:08 PM

I bought this Pocket Edition on E-Bay knowing from the pictures that it had a flat "new improved" comb head instead of the curved "old type" that I would expect on this razor. I couldn't read the serial # from the picture so I had to wait until I received it to try to determine what I had bought. As you can see, it is in very good shape otherwise. The serial # is 454131B and the reverse of the comb head shows that it was made in the USA. According to the ShaveWiki the year would be 1924 which would confirm that the head is from a variation of a "new improved" and later than any ABC Pocket Editions that I know of. The seller specified that the set was from an estate sale. My initial thought is that the comb head is from a different razor, probably a Tuckaway since it is a 3-piece. Then yesterday, I noticed that a new thread, My Pocket edition Empire Editions razor set arrived today!, showed a gold "Empire Edition" with a similar type of comb head except in gold. Now I'm wondering if it might be possible that Gillette reissued some pocket editions with the improved head or that more than one person had the idea of improving their "old type" by somehow obtaining a "new improved" head. It's also very possible that E-bay sellers are simply matching found parts to sell as "sets" by matching colors instead of doing the research. The match of my set is so good in all other respects that I am very satisfied and looking forward to trying it as a shaver. In my experience, the "new improved" is the best over all performing razor that Gillette made.

I would appreciate any input on this set and on ABC pocket editions in general.

**MacDaddy** · 04-07-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by dcoverdale

It's also very possible that E-bay sellers are simply matching found parts to sell as "sets" by matching colors instead of doing the research.

Yeah, it's this.

**bluesbishop** · 04-07-2012, 02:01 PM

In any case...frakenrazor or not...very nice score!

**Azarius** · 04-07-2012, 05:52 PM

That is a fine looking razor, no matter what head is on it. Enjoy the shaves, I am sure she will shave great!

**Heespharm** · 04-07-2012, 05:57 PM

drool.... lovely

**alex2363** · 04-07-2012, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by bluesbishop

In any case...frakenrazor or not...very nice score!

not unless he is a collector, that would be a big issue since it dont match.

**dcoverdale** · 04-07-2012, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Daniel Plainview

That is a fine looking razor, no matter what head is on it. Enjoy the shaves, I am sure she will shave great!

Since I new what I was getting from the pictures in the purchase description I'm not disappointed in any way. Actually, it exceeded my expectations. I think that the "new improved" comb head may never have been used. Unlike the teeth on my Standard these are perfectly straight and there is absolutely zero plating loss. Since both the ABC set and the "new improved" are silver plate, the match is still relatively perfect and natural. I think that upgrading to the "new improved" head is just what any proper early adopter of 1924 would have done to his keep his precious Pocket Edition up to date. I'll shave with it on Monday and let you know.