New Standard Question

**slantman** · 01-29-2009, 06:55 AM

Hi guys,

I bought this beautiful razor off a excellent seller and was wondering when it was produced. I shaved twice with it and there is nothing like an open comb. He also sent me a pack of Crystals and they match very well with this razor.

**mr-razor** · 01-29-2009, 07:00 AM

If there isn´t a SN inside the head, he comes from Jan-Aug 1928

**slantman** · 01-29-2009, 07:05 AM

There is 6 numbers inside the head but I can't make them all out. The last number however is a 4 and I would be guessing about the rest of them?

**thirdeye** · 01-29-2009, 07:16 AM

It is the sn or code but we can't tell you exactly if you can't read them.

How about a close-up picture, maybe we can help?

The date Achim spoke of will be somewhat close.

**bythbook** · 01-29-2009, 07:17 AM

it is a beautiful razor - one of my favorites for shaving.

It is gold-plated...?

**AsylumGuido** · 01-29-2009, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by slantman

There is 6 numbers inside the head but I can't make them all out. The last number however is a 4 and I would be guessing about the rest of them?

The first character of the serial number may be the only one needed to nail down the year of production, unless it happens to span two years, then additional numbers from the left will be needed. A close up picture would help.

**Dustinl** · 01-29-2009, 07:59 AM

Very nice looking razor!

DL

shaved_***** · 01-29-2009, 08:03 AM

I bet that last character is actually not a "4" but an "A" which would date it at 1921-1922. With the New Improved sets they started to put the letter at the end of the serial number... at least that is what I have seen for the most part.

**slantman** · 01-29-2009, 08:17 AM

OK this is what I think the sn# is 9 1 7 0 0 A

**slantman** · 01-29-2009, 08:20 AM

The razor is gold or brass and the top has a slight amount of plate loss but other then that its perfect. Weighs as much as a HD 2.7 oz and 3.5 total length. I am sure Merkur copied this style when creating the HD

**AsylumGuido** · 01-29-2009, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by shaved_*****

I bet that last character is actually not a "4" but an "A" which would date it at 1921-1922. With the New Improved sets they started to put the letter at the end of the serial number... at least that is what I have seen for the most part.

Originally Posted by slantman

OK this is what I think the sn# is 9 1 7 0 0 A

That's right. And this is where I remembered reading about the different countries serial numbering in another thread, but it was the suffix instead of the prefix which identified them. That SN would place it as a 1921.

**AsylumGuido** · 01-29-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by slantman

The razor is gold or brass and the top has a slight amount of plate loss but other then that its perfect. Weighs as much as a HD 2.7 oz and 3.5 total length. I am sure Merkur copied this style when creating the HD

They are great razors. I love mine.

**bythbook** · 01-29-2009, 09:03 AM

I love mine - I can't seem to come up with a gold one, though!

I have a Richwood, a Bostonian, a New Standard (I know, I know... same razors, different boxes - I like different boxes!) all in silver....

Great shavers - and beautiful, too - form follows function. Might be the best Gillettes, IMO. (Until I use a NEW... or the Ranger Tech... or... or... or....)

**slantman** · 01-29-2009, 09:41 AM

Jon

What makes these razors great shavers is the weight and they are open comb. They shave as good or better then a slant and come very close to a str8. The Crystal seems to be a good combination but I am going to try a Feather, Dorco ST-301 and a Derby(never used one before).

**bythbook** · 01-29-2009, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by slantman

Jon

What makes these razors great shavers is the weight and they are open comb. They shave as good or better then a slant and come very close to a str8. The Crystal seems to be a good combination but I am going to try a Feather, Dorco ST-301 and a Derby(never used one before).

I agree these are great - I haven't tried a slant yet (I have one awaiting...) and I doubt I'll ever try a straight, but I'm interested to hear that you think the New Improved is as good or better than a slant.

My usual blade is Red Pack Personna - though I like the Bic, too. I'm recently working through Crystals and Astras and like them both. Haven't tried either in a New Improved yet - soon, though.

**Disburden** · 01-29-2009, 07:42 PM

I have been using my 1926 model of this razor for the past three days. It is the best shave I have ever had in my life (I am using Feather blades).

I just received a Merkur HD slant today in the mail. Maybe I'll try the slant and compare the two in a response tomorrow. It's going to be hard not to use this razor and pick up the Slant though!!

**AsylumGuido** · 01-29-2009, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Disburden

I have been using my 1926 model of this razor for the past three days. It is the best shave I have ever had in my life (I am using Feather blades).

I just received a Merkur HD slant today in the mail. Maybe I'll try the slant and compare the two in a response tomorrow. It's going to be hard not to use this razor and pick up the Slant though!!

Be prepared to sell the slant. You have a classic already.

**Disburden** · 01-30-2009, 08:51 AM

So much for trying the Slant today. I thought about reaching for it when I was out of the shower this morning and said to myself, "eh, one more go with the NEW."

Once again I had the best shave I have ever had in my life. So the slant may be sitting in it's box for awhile.