Matthew Wild
Gillette "Brownie"
When I shave with this 1920s Gillette razor I cannot help but think of history.
It’s a Gillette “Brownie,” a set only made during the 1920s. So called because of the brown imitation leather box it came in.
Essentially, Gillette was eking a little more life out of its 1904 patented razor by putting it out at the knockdown price of $1. I don’t know what profit they made on sales of these razors, but they created a market for their lucrative blade line.
This razor must be between 80 and 90 years old. I’d say it’s been used through the roaring twenties, prohibition, Great Depression, turbulent 1930s and World War II, and possibly beyond.
I understand why historical artefacts are preserved, but at the same time, I believe anything that isn’t one-of-a-kind or extremely fragile should be used.
Anyway, I picked this up for just over $20 shipped and then made it beautiful. I first sprayed it in a bathroom tile cleaner to remove the residue of soap scum and calcination from hard water. Then it was doused in Lysol and washed with a toothbrush and dishwashing detergent. Then I gave it various aluminum foil / baking soda baths, which is the best way to bring tarnished silver back up to a shine – it doesn’t re-plate, but turns the black areas back into silver. I polished it after that.
It suffers from typical ball handle Gillette cracks but I’m going to glue them when they get any worse. The handle still holds together, so I see no point rushing in.
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about communications matters, reach me at Wild West Communications.
Gillette "Brownie"
When I shave with this 1920s Gillette razor I cannot help but think of history.
It’s a Gillette “Brownie,” a set only made during the 1920s. So called because of the brown imitation leather box it came in.
Essentially, Gillette was eking a little more life out of its 1904 patented razor by putting it out at the knockdown price of $1. I don’t know what profit they made on sales of these razors, but they created a market for their lucrative blade line.
This razor must be between 80 and 90 years old. I’d say it’s been used through the roaring twenties, prohibition, Great Depression, turbulent 1930s and World War II, and possibly beyond.
I understand why historical artefacts are preserved, but at the same time, I believe anything that isn’t one-of-a-kind or extremely fragile should be used.
Anyway, I picked this up for just over $20 shipped and then made it beautiful. I first sprayed it in a bathroom tile cleaner to remove the residue of soap scum and calcination from hard water. Then it was doused in Lysol and washed with a toothbrush and dishwashing detergent. Then I gave it various aluminum foil / baking soda baths, which is the best way to bring tarnished silver back up to a shine – it doesn’t re-plate, but turns the black areas back into silver. I polished it after that.
It suffers from typical ball handle Gillette cracks but I’m going to glue them when they get any worse. The handle still holds together, so I see no point rushing in.
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about communications matters, reach me at Wild West Communications.