What's new

Gillette TechMatic: World's worst razor?

Whilliam

First Class Citizen
Back in the 1960s, Gillette introduced what I believe was called the "TechMatic."

It was a "band razor" that used an extended strip of razor steel, rather than discreet blades. You "changed blades" by flipping a lever to advance the band from a small feed spool to a take-up spool.

The shaves were awful, I believe because it was impossible for the head assembly to hold the band perfectly flat. It bulged in spots, leading to scrapes and cuts (at least that was my experience as I can best recall).

One year, everybody in the fraternity house was using them. A year or two later they were all gone.

Has anyone else had experience with this Godawful thing?
 
I had one, used it for a few months, and couldn't figure out why the latest and greatest technology from Gillette was giving me crappy shaves. It couldn't be the razor...after all, it was promoted by all kinds of celebrities and sports stars! :001_rolle I finally wised up and pitched it into the trash. I think I picked up an injector at that point, but it wasn't long before I was using a Trac II.

BTW, I've got a TechMatic AND an unused cartridge sitting in my junk box if anyone wants it...just drop me a note and it's yours! :tongue_sm
 

Whilliam

First Class Citizen
I think I picked up an injector at that point, . .

I think that's what I did, too. As I recall, I got a PAL stainless steel injector . . . then eventually bought a Hoffritz Slant. Never did own a Trac II, though I did use Gillette Good News disposables for many years.

As for your TechMatic, some things are best left undisturbed. LOL
 
I also switched from a DE to a Techmatic. IRC, I thought it was OK, but did switch to a Track II when it came out. I suppose I was listening to the sales pitch and looking for a better shave.

I'm with Bill. It's probably best to just let sleeping Techmatics lie.
 
I dare say that with better technology today, the razor could be recreated without the inherent problems it had in the past. But I doubt there is much incentive to do so.
 
proxy.php
 
I bought a new one cheap- like 5.99 off ebay only to hold onto for a profit somewhere down the road for my Grandchildren. As I remember- these where really bad razors!
 
The Techmatic was my first razor, sophomore year of high school. Yep, it was a terrible shave.

Only good thing was being able to change blades in the middle of a shave with just a flick of your thumb, one-handed. Other than that - ugh.
 
I mistakenly bought one off eBay as a newbie without fully understanding the distinction between a "Techmatic" and a "Tech" (facepalm).

Fontunately the other razor in the lot was a Krona in great condition, and it became my first DE experience. The Tech hasn't come out of the cabinet since I received it. I've added a 40s SuperSpeed and a nice Slim Adjustable, but I'm sure the value for the Techmatic will skyrocket - its only a matter of time, right? :001_rolle
 
I remember using one for a brief time while in the service. That was back in the late 1960"s, and I remember not caring for it at all. :thumbdown
 

Slash McCoy

I freehand dog rockets
Many were sold. Few remain. That ought to tell you something. The majority of them got tossed, instead of stored in the attic like DEs.
 
Top Bottom