Matthew Wild
Gillette NEW
My first shot with a Nikon Coolpix P300 point-and-shoot, and let me tell you, I’m not going back to the Cannon Powershot.
It’s taken in natural light, just inside a large window on an overcast day. A bit more sunshine would have brought out the gold tones of the razor more, but I’d probably have lost some of the detail.
It’s a 1930s Gillette NEW which I bought in an absolute toxic condition for $6.50 on eBay. (pics here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158977/in/photostream, www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158423/in/photostr...
A couple of things about the NEW: it’s probably the smoothest shaving of the vintage Gillette open comb designs, and more sturdily built than most Old Types, but the gold plating is poor. Hey, it was made during the Great Depression. Most people were happy enough just to get a meal at the end of the day.
So I removed the grime and dishevelled gold wash, and gave the underlying brass and copper some attention. I think it looks absolutely stunning now.
First I soaked it in Tilex to remove soap scum from between the teeth. Then it got some long, long soaks in Lysol, alternated with soaks in boiling water and dishwashing detergent (and scrubbing with a nail brush). I stripped off what remained of the finish by putting it in a jar of boiling vinegar and baking soda and leaving it to rage. (Do this part when the wife is out.)
Next I sanded down the end of the handle and top plate which had taken a lot of knocks over the decades, finishing with 2000-grit sandpaper. I should have taken the top down further, in retrospect.
Then I got broke out the Brasso. I love the stuff. I’ll probably wind up living under a bridge drinking Brasso. It will be a horrible end – but a lovely finish.
Please reach me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or talk about writing and communications matters.
Gillette NEW
My first shot with a Nikon Coolpix P300 point-and-shoot, and let me tell you, I’m not going back to the Cannon Powershot.
It’s taken in natural light, just inside a large window on an overcast day. A bit more sunshine would have brought out the gold tones of the razor more, but I’d probably have lost some of the detail.
It’s a 1930s Gillette NEW which I bought in an absolute toxic condition for $6.50 on eBay. (pics here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158977/in/photostream, www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158423/in/photostr...
A couple of things about the NEW: it’s probably the smoothest shaving of the vintage Gillette open comb designs, and more sturdily built than most Old Types, but the gold plating is poor. Hey, it was made during the Great Depression. Most people were happy enough just to get a meal at the end of the day.
So I removed the grime and dishevelled gold wash, and gave the underlying brass and copper some attention. I think it looks absolutely stunning now.
First I soaked it in Tilex to remove soap scum from between the teeth. Then it got some long, long soaks in Lysol, alternated with soaks in boiling water and dishwashing detergent (and scrubbing with a nail brush). I stripped off what remained of the finish by putting it in a jar of boiling vinegar and baking soda and leaving it to rage. (Do this part when the wife is out.)
Next I sanded down the end of the handle and top plate which had taken a lot of knocks over the decades, finishing with 2000-grit sandpaper. I should have taken the top down further, in retrospect.
Then I got broke out the Brasso. I love the stuff. I’ll probably wind up living under a bridge drinking Brasso. It will be a horrible end – but a lovely finish.
Please reach me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or talk about writing and communications matters.