View allAll Photos Tagged OpenComb
Paper wasps gather fibres from dead wood and plant stems, which they mix with saliva to construct water resistant nests made of gray or brown papery material. The nests are characterized by having open combs with cells for brood rearing. Nests can be found in sheltered areas, such as the eaves of a house, the branches of a tree, on the end of an open pipe. This one was well concealed in one of our trees.
The wasps will need to gather and spit again this year to make a new one as we've taken this one down.
Gear: Fujifilm X-T 3, XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
Exposure: 1/80 at f/1.4, ISO 320, Ambient Light, Classic Chrome Film Simulation
This razor is a beauty. I love my RazoRock "Game Changer" open comb razor (with the .84-P head).
I also love the Fuji 16mm f/1.4, particularly with it's close-focusing capabilities. It's not quite a macro, but for a wide angle lens it gets so nice and tight on a subject.
5BGP6104
Subject
1918 Gillette Old Style With Open Comb
This was my go-to razor for years. It's older than almost anyone alive today, having celebrated its centennial this year.
It's durable and works just fine despite a short crack in the outer layer of the handle and the single bent tooth seen at the top of the frame. It has real heft to it, which helps it cut smoothly and with minimal effort. It's open comb is perfect for taking a thick beard back down to smooth skin.
I staged this image for the "Something Older Than You" theme for the Weekly Theme Challenge.
Lens
SMC PENTAX-FA Macro 100mm F2.8
Lighting
This was a long exposure shot in order to have an aperture small enough to have some level of focus on the handle. The shadow was too harsh in earlier shots, so I waved a flashlight back and forth over the scene continuously for all eight seconds the shutter was open. This created the nice soft shadows and even lighting you see in the image.
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.
Once you taste open comb shaving, there’s no going back.
Actually, once you try razor blade shaving there’s no going back to a cartridge system. Then, when you try open comb (which refers to the teeth on the razor’s head), you are even more addicted.
Here you can see a Gillette Old Type (foreground) and a NEW.
It’s complicated, because there’s the Old Type, the New Improved and the NEW (which came out after the New Improved). As far as I understand it, Gillette introduced the New Improved in 1921 as its original patents were running out. But it continued selling the former model, which became known as the Old Type, at a knockdown price to give them both ends of the market, and a continuing stream of customers for their profitable blades. I believe the NEW line was manufactured between 1929 and 1940.
The Old Type seen here was made in the 1920s, and the NEW in the ‘30s.
I have to say the NEW is probably my favourite, as it’s a little milder than the Old Type (that is, relatively; the NEW is the perfect balance between aggressive and smooth). The difference between Old and NEW is best explained with the observation that the former was designed for men used to straight razors, while what came later was for men that with DE razor experience.
If you want to use my photography, or talk about my communications work, reach me at Wild West Communications.
Vintage open comb travel razor with no maker’s stamp.
Bought on eBay for $10; had there been a maker’s mark it would have been at least twice that. Yes, I’m cheap.
It looks German-made to me, but I’m no expert on these things. I just love the way you pull it apart and then screw it all together. Although you can’t tell from the picture, the handle is in two parts – you pull out the thinner of the two, then flip it over and screw it into the other end. I love stuff like that.
It shaves like a Gillette Old Type single ring, although possibly not quite as smooth. It’s reasonably aggressive, but not in a blood on the walls way.
Then it goes back into the tin and slips into your shirt pocket.
This photo cannot be used for any purposes without my written permission. Contact me at Wild West Communications: www.wildwestcom.ca If you want to use any of my images.
The trio: three vintage Gillette open comb razors, taken to show the difference between Old Type and NEW.
It took me a long time to get the differences between these design types when I first started collecting vintage Gillettes. I was looking at pictures that only seemed to show open comb razors. . . I could not spot any differences.
To put it simplistically, the Old Type – seen in the background here – has a narrower, less rounded head, with “bullets” that fit through the base plate (the part with the teeth). It is the more aggressive shave.
The NEW has a thicker, rounder head, which holds the razor in place with slots that fit into a channel in the base plate. The examples you can see here, in the foreground, are long comb variants, but even the shorter comb is rounder and comes to less of a point than the Old Type.
Of the NEWs, the version on the left (the copper colored one) is US-made version, with the UK model on the right. I find the made-in-England version a touch more aggressive, but no less smooth, than the US NEW. The US model has the commonly seen bar handle, while the UK version has an apparently one-piece handle.
The decayed gold finish has been stripped from the US NEW, and the underlying brass and copper polished. The process is detailed here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5701969970/in/photostream.
Pic taken with Nikon Coolpix P300 in natural light. I’m quite proud of all the reflection going on here, although there could be more lighting going on.
I’m at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and communications work.
Distressed Gillette NEWs have got to be the best value razors you will ever find. You’ll likely be the only bidder on eBay – so it’s difficult to break the $10 limit.
Here’s the thing: they are absolutely amazing shavers, and solidly built. The gold colour wash on these Depression era razors is lousy, but if you are prepared to take them down to the underlying brass and copper, they shine up a treat.
I got this for $6.50. When it arrived it looked disgusting (pics here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158977/in/photostream, www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158423/in/photostr...
First thing I did was soak it in Tilex to remove soap scum from between the teeth. Then it got a couple of long, long soaks in Lysol, alternated with boiling water and dishwashing detergent soaks (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 fester.
Next I sanded down the end and top of the razor, finishing with 2000-grit sandpaper – I should have taken the top down further, in retrospect. It’s still somewhat pitted, although that’s to be expected in a vintage razor that’s getting on for 80 years old.
Then I broke out the Brasso. I have a thing for Brasso. The current Mrs. Wild accuses me of drinking it.
And there you have it. A 1930s Gillette brought back to life.
I like a project, and you all love a story with a happy ending. (Apart from drinking Brasso, that is.)
It’s easiest to reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and editing work.
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.
I admit, it’s a toy – but I think these telescoping travel razors are the height of cool.
It comes in a metal box that would disappear into a shirt pocket. The handle is in two parts that nest in each other when you are doing the actual traveling but screw together.
It’s hard not to feel like you are back in the golden age of travel – got to look your best before getting onto the flying boat!
There’s no maker’s mark, but it looks German-made to me, but I’m no expert on these things but it looks suspiciously like a Hoffritz.
I don’t think it’s a Gillette, but it shaves like an Old Type single ring, although possibly not quite as smooth. (It might be less smooth because it’s a little lighter.)
This photo cannot be used for any purposes without my written permission. If you want to use any of my images, contact me at Wild West Communications: www.wildwestcom.ca.
As far as I’m concerned, the NEW is the best shaving razor Gillette ever made, and the ball-end handle their most tactile. Put them together, and what more could you ask for?
Well, how about a box from a pre-1910 Old Type thrown in for free?
I bought this on eBay for $7. I see it as a great razor with a free box – which is probably worth more than the razor.
I've got an early single ring Old Type, which can live in the box (here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5769562581/ ) although it spends most of its time out on the bathroom counter. This ball-end handle NEW gives a smoother, although not closer, shave – it's the newer razor, having been produced in the 1930s.
All I did was clean the razor (soak it in Tilex to remove soap scum, Lysol to disinfect it, and a gentle scrub in dishwashing detergent with a toothbrush) and give it the briefest of polishes on an old T-shirt.
I took some leather conditioner to the outside of the case, and cleaned the dust out of the inside with Selotape.
I took the picture in natural light, on a piece of paper put down underneath a window.
Contact me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and communications work.
This razor has to be 70 years old – and hasn’t been beaten since, as far as I’m concerned.
It’s a World War II era made-in-England Gillette NEW. It’s both an aggressive but smooth shaver. I’m very impressed with it – the first pass leaves your face as smooth as three passes with most other razors, but it’s smooth enough for the final touch-up pass. Believe me, you can really feel the blade on your face, which leads to a careful shave, let me tell you.
I’d like to establish the year of manufacture, but it’s difficult because there is no apparent date code or patent number anywhere on the razor – but it’s safe to call it World War II era. I’m guessing these were made between the late 1930s and late ‘40s.
The handle is 3 ins. (7.6 cm) long and completely hollow. It appears to be one-piece – as opposed to three items press fitted together, as were many of the early Gillette designs. The underside of the head includes the Gillette diamond and states Made in England. The top plate attaches with two small tabs, whereas most of the NEWs used a positioning bar.
This particular Gillette looks like examples referred to by collectors as the French service set, which was manufactured for the French military in the late 1930s (and presumably continued after the fall of France, with Free French forces fighting across North Africa and other campaigns.) However, the French Service Set was marked "Importe D'Angleterre," while mine states "Made in England."
In addition, from what I can tell, the UK arm of Gillette at the time manufactured the same product under a number of different guises: branded Gillette (like mine, seen here), Minora and 7 O’clock. Minora and 7 O’clock seem to have been budget brands owned by Gillette in this era – I guess to give them both ends of the market.
So, it looks like my razor is original, and possibly even came in the chrome plated box seen here – the Minora certainly came in one. The box still opens and shuts with crisp snap, and is stamped underneath: chromium plated made in England.
I don’t know what the rules on outside links are here, but I posted about this over on the wetshave forum Badger and Blade: badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202678
It’s easiest to reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and editing work.
It may look like gold, but it’s brass and copper really.
This vintage 1930’s Gillette NEW has been given a new lease of life by having what was left of the gold finish removed, and the underlying metal polished.
When it arrived it looked disgusting (pics here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158977/in/photostream, www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5690158423/in/photostr...
Personally, I prefer open comb razors, and I think Gillette really nailed it with the NEW. It’s a lot smoother than the Old Type which preceded it, and a touch less aggressive – for me, the perfect ratio of the two factors.
First thing I did was soak it in Tilex to remove soap scum from between the teeth. Then it got a couple of 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 fester.
Next I sanded down the bottom and top of the razor, finishing with 2000-grit sandpaper – I should have taken the top down further, in retrospect. It’s still somewhat pitted, although that’s to be expected in a razor that’s getting on for 80 years old.
Then I got broke out the Brasso. And there you have it. A $6.50 Gillette brought back to life.
Get hold of me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or my communications services.
This Gillette Old Type razor is 80 years old – looks fantastic for its age, doesn’t it.
OK, so I cheated. I cleaned and polished it.
It was made sometime in the 1920s – I can’t date it exactly, but definitely sometime during that decade. It pre-dates the Great Depression, and the turbulence of the ‘30s, Second World War, etc. . .
It’s clearly been used; I’d say throughout the Depression and WWII. Maybe longer.
It suffers from the typical ball handle malady – cracks. These handles were made in three parts, press fitted together. Being different thicknesses, they contract at different rates.
I wish I’d taken a before picture, because I’ve made it shine. 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.
Excessive? Naturally.
I’m at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and communications work.
Here I wanted to illustrate the difference between the Gillette Old Type and the NEW.
The Old Type is a design dating to 1904 – that’s what the patent date on the handle tells me – while the NEW line was manufactured between 1929 and 1940.
Having said that, these razors are a little closer together in age than that. The Old Type (the one on the left) was made in the 1920s, and the other the following decade.
You see many eBay sellers mixing up the names of these things, but the giveaway is the head design. It’s much more raised on the NEW.
Believe me, they both shave better than any modern cartridge system. I don’t care what the marketing machine wants me to believe, but these designs represent the high point of razor design. It’s been downhill from there. Shave-wise, that is.
I have to say the NEW is probably my favourite, as it’s a little milder than the Old Type. The difference is best explained with the observation that the Old Type was designed for men used to straight razors, while what came later was for men that with DE razor experience.
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about communications matters, reach me at Wild West Communications.
This made-in-England Gillette NEW from the 1930s or early ‘40s is unusual for a number of reasons.
The underside of the head includes the Gillette diamond and states Made in England, but the information ends here – there’s no date code or patent number anywhere on the razor. The top plate attaches with two small tabs, whereas most of the NEWs used a positioning bar.
The handle, which is 3 ins. (7.6 cm) long, is completely hollow. It appears to be one-piece – as opposed to three items press fitted together, as were many of the early Gillette designs.
It’s hard to establish an exact time of manufacture, but it’s safe to call it World War II era. I’m guessing these were made between the late 1930s and late ‘40s, so it’s got to be somewhere around 70 years old.
This particular Gillette looks like examples referred to by collectors as the French service set, which was manufactured for the French military in the late 1930s (and presumably continued after the fall of France, with Free French forces fighting across North Africa and other campaigns.) However, the French Service Set was marked "Importe D'Angleterre," while mine states "Made in England."
In addition, from what I can tell, the UK arm of Gillette at the time manufactured the same product under a number of different guises: branded Gillette (like mine, seen here), Minora and 7 O’clock. Minora and 7 O’clock seem to have been budget brands owned by Gillette in this era – I guess to give them both ends of the market.
The razor itself is a revelation as it manages to be both an aggressive but smooth shaver. I’m very impressed with it – the first pass leaves your face as smooth as three passes with most other razors.
I don’t know what the rules on outside links are here, but I posted about this over on the wetshave forum Badger and Blade: badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202678
Get hold of me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or my communications services.
Gillette “Brownie” from the 1920s. It has to be between 80 and 90 years old.
It came in the imitation brown leather case you see here, hence the name “Brownie.” Although the original set included a silver blade box, which I’m lacking.
In 1921, Gillette introduced the New Improved razor, but maintained sales of its earlier models alongside at a lower price, to give them both ends of the market. The razor seen here became known as the Old Type, and it carries a 1904 patent. I believe the Brownie sold for $1, possibly at near-cost, as it developed customers for Gillette’s more profitable blades.
So then, this razor has seen use through a chunk of the 1920s, the Depression years and, I’m willing to bet, World War II.
It’s been used but cared for. The teeth are in good shape. The worst I can say is it has scratches on the head that might well polish out next time I’m feeling brave (polishing removes silver, and that’s a one-way process, so I’ll hold off), and cracks both end of the handle. I’ll fix those with two-part epoxy if they get worse. As it is, the handle is perfectly functional.
These handles were made in three parts, press fitted together. Being different thicknesses, they contract at different rates – hence a tendency to crack.
I actually made the cracks worse myself pouring boiling water over the razor in the process of aluminum foil / baking soda baths, which is the best way to bring tarnished silver back up to a shine. I did give it a light polish, but I first wanted to turn the tarnish back into silver, rather than removing it all.
It’s easiest to reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and editing work.
Two vintage Gillette NEW razors – blatantly set up to show a US vs UK comparison.
On the left you can see the US version (copper) with the UK version for comparison. Both are long comb razors. I find the made-in-England version a touch more aggressive, but no less smooth. While they are harder to find than the US version, they are worth the extra effort and cost.
Although it’s difficult to make out clearly in this picture, the US Gillette NEW has a bar handle, while the UK version has an apparently one-piece handle that seems to be based on the standard handle the early Old Types shipped with (ie before the ball-end handle).
I don’t rave about the bar handle. It’s too light, and takes the balance of the razor too close to the head for my liking. (Although if you hold the handle very high up right underneath the head – like you are supposed to! – then this might not be such an issue.)
Oh, and I stripped off the decayed gold finish from the US NEW. The process is detailed here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5701969970/in/photostream.
Pic taken with Nikon Coolpix P300 in natural light.
Reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography, or talk about my communications work.
I love shadows in studio pictures – so I went crazy here trying to give an impression of the open comb head of this 80-something year old razor.
There is something captivating about an open comb razor (the “teeth” on the razor head). I love history, I guess.
This Gillette Old Type razor was made sometime in the 1920s – I can’t date it exactly because it doesn’t have a date code, but I know these “Brownie” box sets were only made in that era.
Which means it pre-dates the Great Depression and the Second World War. It has to be between 80 and 90 years old.
Like I said, I love history. OK, it suffers from the typical ball handle cracks. These handles were made in three parts, press fitted together. Being different thicknesses, they contract at different rates.
I actually made the cracks worse myself pouring boiling water over the razor in the process of aluminum foil / baking soda baths, which is the best way to bring tarnished silver back up to a shine. (Polishing removes silver. While I did polish as a final step, I really, really didn’t want to remove too much silver and end up with a brass razor.)
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about my communications work, reach me at Wild West Communications.
World War II era made-in-England Gillette NEW.
It’s hard to establish an exact time of manufacture, as there is no apparent date code or patent number anywhere on the razor – but it’s safe to call it World War II era. I’m guessing these were made between the late 1930s and late ‘40s, so it’s got to be somewhere around 70 years old.
The handle is 3 ins. (7.6 cm) long and completely hollow. It appears to be one-piece – as opposed to three items press fitted together, as were many of the early Gillette designs. The underside of the head includes the Gillette diamond and states Made in England. The top plate attaches with two small tabs, whereas most of the NEWs used a positioning bar.
This particular Gillette looks like examples referred to by collectors as the French service set, which was manufactured for the French military in the late 1930s (and presumably continued after the fall of France, with Free French forces fighting across North Africa and other campaigns.) However, the French Service Set was marked "Importe D'Angleterre," while mine states "Made in England."
In addition, from what I can tell, the UK arm of Gillette at the time manufactured the same product under a number of different guises: branded Gillette (like mine, seen here), Minora and 7 O’clock. Minora and 7 O’clock seem to have been budget brands owned by Gillette in this era – I guess to give them both ends of the market.
So, it looks like my razor is original, and possibly even came in the chrome plated box. This still opens and shuts with crisp snap, and is stamped underneath: chromium plated made in England.
The razor itself is a revelation as it manages to be both an aggressive but smooth shaver. I’m very impressed with it – the first pass leaves your face as smooth as three passes with most other razors.
I posted about this over on the wetshave forum Badger and Blade: badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202678
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about my communications work, reach me at Wild West Communications.
If you look closely, you will see how the underside of the head of this vintage razor is so shiny it reflects the Gillette logo on the case.
It was made during the 1920s, so it’s got to be between 80 and 90 years old.
Maybe it’s a $20 razor to some, but it’s a historical artefact to me. It’s been used through the prohibition years, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and, in all probability, beyond.
These “Brownie” box sets were only made during the 1920s. It was so called because it came in the imitation brown leather case you see here. I believe the Brownie sold for $1, possibly at near-cost, as it developed customers for Gillette’s more profitable blades.
I cleaned it up, doused it in Lysol and gave it a brief polish – and it’s good for another 90 years of service.
Please reach me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or talk about writing and communications matters.
I wanted to show the three-piece design, as the term causes some confusion – the handle itself is made up of three separate pieces press-fitted together. If all goes well, the handle is one piece. They often crack and pull apart, apparently doubling the three-piece design to six! No, the idea is to keep the handle as a single unit. Gluing may be required.
It’s probably intuitive and does not need explanation, but the “bullets” on the head go through the razor blade and base plate, screwing into the handle. This was designed for an earlier razor blade that had three round holes. It will take a modern blade – you just have to be careful that its lined up straight. It only takes around a second to double-check, when you are changing a blade, so don’t let anyone tell you its some kind of onerous task.
This is a 1920s razor, so it’s a historical artifact. It’s also the most aggressive shaver I own – and my favorite. I love the combination of aggressive Old Type head and wonderfully balanced ball-end handle.
Compare it to a similar pic of made-in-England NEW here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5739722089/in/photostream.
Pic taken with Nikon Coolpix P300 in natural light.
Contact me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and communications work.
A quick comparison shot of two vintage ball-end handle Gillettes.
On the left you can see an Old Type from the 1920s, and alongside is a NEW from the 1930s. Here you can see that although are both open comb designs, the NEW head is quite a bit larger.
The Old Type (the silver one) is an aggressive shave. It’s my go-to razor, unless I’m rushed or there are other distractions. . . if you don’t watch what you are doing, you will cut yourself.
The NEW (the gold one) is less aggressive and a lot smoother. It’s a great design.
By the way the red staining you can see alongside the head here is not dried blood or anything like that. It’s the decaying lacquer Gillette sprayed over the gold wash. My next step will be to remove what remains of this staining, probably with nail polish remover or oven cleaner.
Pic taken with Nikon Coolpix P300 in natural light.
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about my communications work, reach me at Wild West Communications.
I just wanted to show how this 1920’s Gillette Old Type fits perfectly into the hand.
It’s so well designed – great knurling on the handle, and a surprisingly tactile ball end. I have to admit, I’m one of those people that hold on to the end of the razor, and keep having to re-tighten twist-to-open designs.
These open comb old Gillettes (I’ve also got a NEW) are a revelation. They pre-date World War II, but the ergonomics and styling have not been beaten since.
Having said that, it does suffer from a design flaw – or perhaps a manufacturing error. These handles were made in three parts, press fitted together. Being different thicknesses, they contract at different rates, and are prone to crack. However, I’ve read that examples from before World War I are much less likely to come apart in this way, so perhaps it’s a manufacturing thing.
It doesn’t bother me, I’ve got some two-part epoxy that will stabilize this handle so it lasts another 80 years.
Get hold of me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or my communications services.
The battle of the ball-end handles. . .
In the foreground is a vintage Gillette Old Type, and behind it the later NEW. So, that’s a 1920s razor and one from the ‘30s, respectively.
The Old Type is the more aggressive, and the NEW a tad smoother, but both are unbeaten shavers, as far as I’m concerned. There’s no going back from open comb razors, once you got the hang of them.
I’m also a convert to the ball-end handles. I know a lot of people complain about them – the crack-prone, downmarket replacement to the drop-dead gorgeous ABC handles – but I love the balance.
I took this shot to illustrate how the teeth curve differently on these two head designs, and the shapes are different – in addition to the “bullets” on the Old Type head that hold the razor blade in place. More about the difference here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5740267958/in/photostream
Pic taken with a Nikon Coolpix P300 using natural light. I’m pleased with how the shadow turned out on this one. I've been trying to introduce shadow into my razor pics because I like the feeling of depth it gives.
Please reach me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or talk about writing and communications matters.
Look at all that blade above the "open comb" teeth - you just know this machine kills whiskers!
I took this shot to illustrate how much blade you can see - and feel on your face. It's a revelation as it manages to be both an aggressive but smooth shaver. I’m very impressed with it – the first pass leaves your face as smooth as three passes with most other razors.
It is a made-in-England Gillette NEW from the 1930s or early ‘40s, but it’s hard to establish an exact year of manufacture as there is no apparent date code or patent number anywhere on the razor. But it’s safe to call it World War II era, as I understand these were made between the late 1930s and late ‘40s, so it’s got to be somewhere around 70 years old.
The handle is 3 ins. (7.6 cm) long and completely hollow. It appears to be one-piece – as opposed to three items press fitted together, as were many of the early Gillette designs. The underside of the head includes the Gillette diamond and states Made in England. The top plate attaches with two small tabs, whereas most of the NEWs used a positioning bar.
This particular Gillette looks exactly like examples referred to by collectors as the French service set, which was manufactured for the French military in the late 1930s (and presumably continued after the fall of France, with Free French forces fighting across North Africa and other campaigns.) However, the French Service Set was marked "Importe D'Angleterre," while mine states "Made in England."
In addition, it looks like the UK arm of Gillette at the time manufactured the same product under a number of different guises: branded Gillette (like mine, seen here), Minora and 7 O’clock. Minora and 7 O’clock seem to have been budget brands owned by Gillette in this era – I guess to give them both ends of the market.
So, it looks like my razor is original, and possibly even came in the chrome plated box. This still opens and shuts with crisp snap, and is stamped underneath: chromium plated made in England.
I posted about this over on the wetshave forum Badger and Blade: badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202678
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about communications matters, reach me at Wild West Communications.
Here’s a Gillette “Brownie” from the 1920s, complete with Hospital blades.
The “Brownie” was the later incarnation of the Old Type Gillette razor, dating to the 1920s. This set was only produced during that decade, so it must be between 80 and 90 years old.
A quick history lesson:
In 1921, Gillette introduced the New Improved razor, but maintained sales of its earlier models alongside at a lower price, to give them both ends of the market. The razor seen here, which carries a 1904 patent, became known as the Old Type. It was produced under various names. The “Brownie” was so called because it came in the imitation brown leather case you see here. I believe the Brownie sold for $1, possibly at near-cost, as it developed customers for Gillette’s more profitable blades.
The original set included a silver blade box, which I’m lacking. I don’t get hung up on stuff like that, as I get these things to use them not put them on a shelf and look at them.
This historic beauty set me back a little over $20, shipped. It’s both a great shaver – quite aggressive, so it’s really difficult not to get a clean shave – and a historical artefact. Looking at the signs of wear on it, I’d say it’s seen use through a chunk of the 1920s, the Depression years and World War II. If not longer. People back then weren’t into the disposable thing like now.
If you want to use my photography, or talk about my communications work, reach me at Wild West Communications.
Four vintage open comb Gillette razors, all dating from the 1920s and 1930s.
These are daily users rather than spectacularly rare models, so I’d say they are at the low end of the vintage Gillette open comb scale.
You can see here (from left):
•Made-in-England Gillette NEW
•Gillette NEW with ball-end handle
•Gillette Old Type with ball-end handle
•Gillette NEW with bar handle (gold finish removed and brass/copper polished)
The Old Type dates from the 1920s, while the NEWs were manufactured during the ‘30s. All of them pre-date WWII.
I’ve illustrated the differences between the Old Type and NEWs elsewhere in my photostream: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5740267958/in/set-7215...
Pic taken with Nikon Coolpix P300 in natural light. I was trying to do something with the darkness in the foreground that did not quite work – shadows in background and razors gleaming in front works every time; razors emerging from the murk does not!
If you want to use my pictures, or talk about communications matters, reach me at Wild West Communications.
The roaring twenties – the jazz age, prohibition, first transatlantic flight and, ultimately, the Great Depression.
There is something about the period from the First World War to the build-up to World War II that calls me in a way I just can’t explain.
Which is why I picked up this Gillette “Brownie.” It was made sometime in the 1920s – it doesn’t have a date code, but I know these “Brownie” box sets were only made in that era. It has to be between 80 and 90 years old.
These old Gillettes are the best shavers you can get your hands on. It’s funny that for all the technology and marketing we have now, modern cartridge razors are terrible. I would not be parted from my seventy and eighty year old razors for all the tea in China.
I took this shot outdoors in diffused sunlight. It was a day of high level thin cloud. I put a sheet of white paper down on a low table, propped up against a pile of books, and started shooting.
You can see reflections of the trees in my backyard in this shot. Maybe that sounds lazy, but I like shots that make you want to look out of the picture.
Reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography, or talk about my communications work.
If I had to be reduced to just two razors – yes, and I know most normal people only have the one – then I would use a Gillette Old Type and a NEW.
Here you can see the Old Type in the foreground, with the NEW in gold. (By the way, the red staining is the lacquer starting to lift off the goldwash. I’m thinking nail polish remover should fix that – but I’ll have to wait until the current Mrs. Wild is out before putting that one to the test; too much explaining to do!)
These are vintage razors, the Old Type dating from the 1920s and the NEW from the ‘30s. And they are good for many decades more use.
Pic taken with a Nikon Coolpix P300, which I’m starting to get to grips with. I sure can’t fault the image quality, considering it’s a point-and-shoot camera, and the shot lit only by diffused sunlight.
Get hold of me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or my communications services.
I have to ‘fess up – I’ve used this background before, with a different razor.
But this time around I got to take pics outside, in diffused sunlight. It really brought out the shine of the razor while keeping the paper it’s sat on quite mat.
I spent a while restoring this 1920s Gillette Old Type razor to its former glory. And while it’s a user rather than a shelf queen, I think it looks rather fantastic.
It was made sometime in the 1920s – it doesn’t have a date code, but I know these “Brownie” box sets were only made in that era. It has to be between 80 and 90 years old.
These old Gillettes are the best shavers you can get your hands on. It’s funny that for all the technology and marketing we have now, modern cartridge razors are terrible.
Having said that, I love them for the history. This razor has been used over a long period of time – cared for, but used. I’d guess it started the day for someone for a couple of decades, through the Great Depression and the Second World War. . . and perhaps longer. They were made solid in those days (handle cracks aside).
Original version of pic, with Gillette NEW: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5630204302/in/photostream
I took this shot to illustrate the unusual head and handle design of this WWII era made-in-England Gillette NEW.
The underside of the head includes the Gillette diamond and states Made in England. The top plate attaches with two small tabs, whereas most of the NEWs used a positioning bar.
The handle, which is 3 ins. (7.6 cm) long, is completely hollow. It appears to be one-piece – as opposed to three items press fitted together, as were many of the early Gillette designs.
It’s hard to establish an exact time of manufacture, as there is no apparent date code or patent number anywhere on the razor – but it’s safe to call it World War II era. I’m guessing these were made between the late 1930s and late ‘40s, so it’s got to be somewhere around 70 years old.
This particular Gillette looks like examples referred to by collectors as the French service set, which was manufactured for the French military in the late 1930s (and presumably continued after the fall of France, with Free French forces fighting across North Africa and other campaigns.) However, the French Service Set was marked "Importe D'Angleterre," while mine states "Made in England."
In addition, from what I can tell, the UK arm of Gillette at the time manufactured the same product under a number of different guises: branded Gillette (like mine, seen here), Minora and 7 O’clock. Minora and 7 O’clock seem to have been budget brands owned by Gillette in this era – I guess to give them both ends of the market.
The razor itself is a revelation as it manages to be both an aggressive but smooth shaver. I’m very impressed with it – the first pass leaves your face as smooth as three passes with most other razors.
I don’t know what the rules on outside links are here, but I posted about this over on the wetshave forum Badger and Blade: badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=202678
Please reach me at Wild West Communications to ask about using my photography or talk about writing and communications matters.
A disassembled pic to show the component parts of this three-piece open comb razor.
The handle is apparently one-piece, so not prone to the cracking problems of Gillettes of this era (which use brass of different thicknesses press fitted together, which, due to the different cooling rates, are prone to crack).
The head is different from the US-made Gillette NEWs of the era. This made-in-England version is a touch more aggressive, but no less smooth. While they are harder to find than the US version, they are worth the extra effort and cost.
This razor dates back to the 1930s, so it’s somewhere between 70 and 80 years old from what I can tell.
Compare it to a similar pic of an Old Type ball-end handle here: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5739720253/in/photostream
It’s easiest to reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and editing work.
Gillette Super Speed Flare Tip + Shark
Simpson Colonel
Nanny's Silly Soap Company Ice & Slice with Goat milk
Geo F.Trumper Coral Skin Food
EdT Serge Lutens, cuir mauresque
This is what you might call a project razor.
On the other hand, you might call it a plague razor. Looking at it, it’s hard to imagine actually wanting to bring it into contact with your skin.
But this is the before pic. It’s how it arrived.
Here's the cleaned and polished razor - I took it down to the brass and copper: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5701431227/in/photostream www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5701969970/in/photostream
Although I’m not sure if the case isn't beyond hope.
I bought this set for the grand total of $6.50 to practice my repair skills.
I had figured to work similar magic on the case, but I’m finding the material its covered in is turning to dust. It leaves clouds of black flecks wherever it sits. If I can deal with that, I’ll have myself a half-decent travel razor. Actually, if I can prise it apart without it dissolving into a pile of rust, I'll be fine.
I’m at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography or talk about my writing and communications work.
This is a Gillette NEW razor from the 1930s. If it could talk, it would tell you about the Great Depression, World War II and years of subsequent use.
It’s been around the block, you could say.
You wouldn’t guess it from the picture, but these NEW razors are fantastic shavers. Although no-one in their right mind would want to bring this one into contact with their skin, as it looks here. . .
But this is the before pic. I cleaned it up, although I’m not sure if the case isn't beyond hope.
I bought this set for the grand total of $6.50 to practice my repair skills. I took the razor down to the brass and copper (underneath that disheveled gold wash) and made it shine.
I’ll need to work magic on the case, as the material its covered in is turning to dust. It leaves clouds of black flecks wherever it sits. You can see some of it in front of the case in this pic – and I was careful to clean as much of it away as I could.
If I can fix the case, I’ll have myself a half-decent travel razor.
Here's the cleaned and polished razor - I took it down to the brass and copper: www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5701431227/in/photostream and www.flickr.com/photos/38722915@N04/5701969970/in/photostream
Reach me at Wild West Communications if you want to use my photography, or talk about my communications work.
Open comb travel razor – possibly German, and perhaps a good 50 years old.
Although it does shave well, I bought it as a toy. Frankly I love the way you can pull the metal case from a shirt or jacket pocket, pull apart the nestling two-part handle and flip the parts over so they screw in together, and you are good to go!
There’s no maker’s mark, but it looks German-made to me, but I’m no expert on these things but it looks suspiciously like a Hoffritz.
I don’t think it’s a Gillette, but it shaves like an Old Type single ring, although possibly not quite as smooth. (It might be less smooth because it’s a little lighter.)
You could use this every day, unlike the plastic junk sold today as travel razors. Hmm. . . I was born in the wrong era, wasn’t I?
This photo cannot be used for any purposes without my written permission. Please contact me at Wild West Communications: www.wildwestcom.ca If you want to use any of my images.
Edwin Jagger DE87 + Feather
Simpons Colonel
Nanny's Silly Soap Lavender
Geo.F Trumper Skin Food coral
Serge Lutens , Cuir Mauresque
#SOTD #Gillette #NewStandard #OpenComb #DERazor manufactured in #1922 loaded with a #Schick #PlusPlatinum blade. The #ShaveSoap in the #Vintage #Shulton #OldSpice #ShaveMug is #TaylorOfOldBondStreet #Sandalwood and the #Avon #GavelBottle is filled with #SpicyAftershave #VintageShave #Wetshaving #OCtober #OpenCombOctober #BadgerAndBlade #ShaveNook
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_evahs_: Awesome :)