What have I got here?

[powerhammer]

Hello all,

I've searched high and low through the forums and wiki, and I'm struggling to identify what model exactly i've bought today.

It's a Gillette 3 piece (open comb?), and markings under the head read: Made in England, British Pat. Number 363892, and the Gillette logo. There are no other markings as far as i can tell. The main reason I cant figure out what it is is because the handle appears to be different to anything else i've seen.

I'm assuming this is it's original case. The whole thing needs a good clean before I would even consider using it, but would this be a good razor for a newb?

Thanks all, see images attached:

[AsylumGuido]

It is a British New. That is one of the many handle styles it came with. I have seen two or three just like it on the forum recently including one that scottydoint had in mint condition.

[Bertilak]

Might be a "Frankenrazor" -- parts from two different types put together.

Looks like the handle from one of the early Techs with a NEW head. (But see "EDIT", below)

Tech:


NEW with common bar handle. This would accept the Tech handle:


It is possible that Gillette themselves actually put this combination together but I don't see an example of it in Krumholz.

EDIT: I see that AsylumGuido says that Gillette England did make this combination of head and handle.

[copperhead]

Check in the scores section, Scotty or someone posted a NOS razor like this which had a number assigned to it.

EDIT: Fount it here. That's a British #77. Fine score, enjoy.

[rodd]

Yeah, Scotty's is a #77, but the case was different. Great find. I love English NEWs.

[AsylumGuido]

Oh, I forgot to answer the second part of your question, yes, it would be a fine razor for a newb. I loved the British New I tried and found it fairly forgiving. That said, if it doesn't meet your needs please PM me and I'll be happy to trade you into something else which may better suit you.

[Bertilak]

I agree it (as any NEW) is suitable for newbie (and not just newbies -- NEWs are my favorite Gillettes).

If I were to use it for a daily shaver I would change out the handle for one of the heavier ball-tip Tech handles. I just don't like those light weight hollow handles. The razor's balance is all wrong.

[AsylumGuido]

I agree it (as any NEW) is suitable for newbie (and not just newbies -- NEWs are my favorite Gillettes).

If I were to use it for a daily shaver I would change out the handle for one of the heavier ball-tip Tech handles. I just don't like those light weight hollow handles. The razor's balance is all wrong.

I think you might be surprised at the weight of the handle. I wouldn't be surprised if that handle was heftier than a ball tip Tech handle.

[Bertilak]

I think you might be surprised at the weight of the handle. I wouldn't be surprised if that handle was heftier than a ball tip Tech handle.

I weighed the two handles.

hollow handle: 22gm
ball-tip handle: 36gm

So the hollow handle weighs a little more than I thought. I was guessing less than half of the ball-tip.

[Gruder]

I loved the British New I tried and found it fairly forgiving.

And I found the same razor quite forgiving just yesterday. Thanks again.

Am I seeing things, or does the tech-like handle on the OP's razor look thinner than the usual tech handle of similar design (as in Robert's post)?

[JimBow]

Sweet razor, I'd like to get my hands on a British New.

[AsylumGuido]

I weighed the two handles.

hollow handle: 22gm
ball-tip handle: 36gm

So the hollow handle weighs a little more than I thought. I was guessing less than half of the ball-tip.

Do you have a British New handle like the one pictured to weigh? Keep in mind, the handle on this razor is not a Tech fat handle, nor is it a New common bar handle, nor is it even American. It is a British fat New handle. The British Gillettes were made to completely different specifications than their American counterparts.

[Bertilak]

Do you have a British New handle like the one pictured to weigh? Keep in mind, the handle on this razor is not a Tech fat handle, nor is it a New common bar handle, nor is it even American. It is a British fat New handle. The British Gillettes were made to completely different specifications than their American counterparts.

No, I weighed two Tech handles. You are right that the handle on the British NEW that looks like a Tech handle could be something quite different. If you have one, weight it!

[AsylumGuido]

No, I weighed two Tech handles. You are right that the handle on the British NEW that looks like a Tech handle could be something quite different. If you have one, weight it!

I wish I did. Maybe someone else here has one of the British Techs with this unique handle.

[Bertilak]

Do you have a British New handle like the one pictured to weigh? Keep in mind, the handle on this razor is not a Tech fat handle, nor is it a New common bar handle, nor is it even American. It is a British fat New handle. The British Gillettes were made to completely different specifications than their American counterparts.

I should add that I do have a NEW (USA made) with the "standard bar handle" and it also weighs 22gm. This is the razor I had in mind when I said I didn't like the hollow handles.

[AsylumGuido]

I should add that I do have a NEW (USA made) with the "standard bar handle" and it also weighs 22gm. This is the razor I had in mind when I said I didn't like the hollow handles.

Yup. That's not a favorite of mine either. I'd rather use the old type ball end handle that came with the early New pocket editions.

[powerhammer]

Thanks for all the responses...so it's a British NEW #77!

There are some scales at my work, I will take the handle in and weigh it. Won't be back there until Tuesday though as Monday is a public holiday here. It does feel solid rather than hollow however.

Hey Robert, is there a database you accessed these pictures from, or are they from your own collection?

[Ray Todd]

That's an interesting combination. I love those handles just because of the shape and grip.

I've got a British New head that came with a lightweight hollow handle similar in appearance to a 40s Superspeed less the tto knob. Whatever tip was originally there is missing, so it is really really unbalanced.

Maybe I'll have to borrow one of my Tech handles and see what it feels like.

Yours is definitely a nice find. Tell us what it shaves like after you get a chance to use it!

[powerhammer]

Once I've weighed the handle i'll give it to mum to take to her work and give it a blast with the autoclave. Once it's cleaned up a bit I will be happy to report... it will be my first DE shave!

[VR6ofpain]

Not a franken. There was one of these MINT in box, with plastic wrapped around the head on eBay a couple weeks ago. I stopped bidding when it creeped over $50. It had a nice black box and even the paper outer shipping box (white and blue). I am sure someone on here won it.