Oh really? I was struggling to identify these adequately, all I know so far was approximate time periods and the fact that it shaved much less aggressively than my 3-piece NEW bar handle razor… Any other details you can share I’m all ears!
And yes, the straight is a Pyramid Geneva, haven’t tried it but honed it up the other day. Sometimes I wish my whiskers grew faster just so I had an excuse to shave more often!
Gillette - Ranger Tech - probably 1941. Just one year, which is why so rare. Later, they would start to produce the Super speed line, which would look similar to this one. So maybe this one is the grandfather of the highly successful Super speeds.
Gillette - Super Speed Flare Tip - usually a mid range aggression shaver that was super popular back when (50s & 60s). Probably shaves similar to the ranger tech.
Gillette - Fat Boy Adjustable - they made these for about four years, about '59 time period. This is one of my favorite vintage razors, because of its look and heft, and at the lower ranges, it is so smooth. Gillette changed to one we call the “Slim”, which looks similar, but has a slimmer handle and a slight change in head design, and made that one for a lot longer. So the Fat Boy, being more rare, is more valuable.
All of these razors have much better workmanship and materials that most modern ones created today. So many these days are just plated pot metal, and will usually break after a few years of use. And there are companies like Vikings Blade that are adding a story and marking them up super high.
But these that you have are brass at their core, which will outlive you.
As far as dating goes, most of these will have a date code at the bottom, under the baseplate. A letter will be on the left end, and a number will be on the right. The letter is the year, and the number is the quarter of that year.
I like my Geneva, I think it has the Pyramid too though it’s been a while. Yours looks to be in very nice shape. Thanks, now I know what I’m shaving with today. Was actually the first one I honed and it took an edge quite readily. Congrats on the find!
Buddy… only one genco?? :D maybe it’s just me, we all have the brands we find we gravitate to, for me that’s Boker, Genco, and Imperial, I have 3+ of each because they’re all winners. Just got a new imperial today, my 3rd Chicago world’s fair distinct etch! (also like 7/8 which is wild for imperial)
Ha! Well, one so far. But I started with it and it was a good one so ya, it’d have made sense for me to pick up more. However at the time I was looking for variety and figured I had that box checked, just haven’t circled back yet. Almost did pick up another now that I think of it but sat on it too long and someone snagged it. My first Imperial is so very patiently waiting in purgatory for scales. I like my Puma a lot but it’s my only one. Hm. Ok maybe this is a pattern… Still no Shumate nor Waterville nor Ramapo though so if I was going to make a point of shopping for an American razor I’d probably lean that way. You may have been very wise specialising your collection… And nice score on that Imperial!
That’s good stuff there!
I think I can see that razor is Geneva, which is good steel. And looks in great shape too.
And that first DE, that’s no normal 40s style superspeed, that’s a much more rare Ranger Tech!
Oh really? I was struggling to identify these adequately, all I know so far was approximate time periods and the fact that it shaved much less aggressively than my 3-piece NEW bar handle razor… Any other details you can share I’m all ears!
And yes, the straight is a Pyramid Geneva, haven’t tried it but honed it up the other day. Sometimes I wish my whiskers grew faster just so I had an excuse to shave more often!
All of these razors have much better workmanship and materials that most modern ones created today. So many these days are just plated pot metal, and will usually break after a few years of use. And there are companies like Vikings Blade that are adding a story and marking them up super high.
But these that you have are brass at their core, which will outlive you.
As far as dating goes, most of these will have a date code at the bottom, under the baseplate. A letter will be on the left end, and a number will be on the right. The letter is the year, and the number is the quarter of that year.
https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/wiki/US_Gillette_Dating_Information
Scroll down to the section: 1950-1988 (letter codes)
Fantastic, thank you for the data!
I like my Geneva, I think it has the Pyramid too though it’s been a while. Yours looks to be in very nice shape. Thanks, now I know what I’m shaving with today. Was actually the first one I honed and it took an edge quite readily. Congrats on the find!
Buddy… only one genco?? :D maybe it’s just me, we all have the brands we find we gravitate to, for me that’s Boker, Genco, and Imperial, I have 3+ of each because they’re all winners. Just got a new imperial today, my 3rd Chicago world’s fair distinct etch! (also like 7/8 which is wild for imperial)
Ha! Well, one so far. But I started with it and it was a good one so ya, it’d have made sense for me to pick up more. However at the time I was looking for variety and figured I had that box checked, just haven’t circled back yet. Almost did pick up another now that I think of it but sat on it too long and someone snagged it. My first Imperial is so very patiently waiting in purgatory for scales. I like my Puma a lot but it’s my only one. Hm. Ok maybe this is a pattern… Still no Shumate nor Waterville nor Ramapo though so if I was going to make a point of shopping for an American razor I’d probably lean that way. You may have been very wise specialising your collection… And nice score on that Imperial!
Welcome, good to see you here.