Question for the Gillette Tech experts

[Twelvefret]

Well after a disappointing experience with a Fatip, I think I'm just going to focus on vintage Gillette from here on out. Tried a few Merkur as well, but the Gillettes are more interesting. I have an old type and a handful of Techs that I'm working through and will probably just keep a few. I received this little Kent synthetic brush as a Christmas gift, so the Proraso brush I was using will be passed along. Man, I had no idea how interesting this hobby would be! Add in some very nice people willing to help and it makes for some fun times!

You have a nice beginning. If you want to stay with DE blade holders, the Schick Krona is an early '60's classic.

If single edges catch your attention, the Schick Injector types are wonderful shaving tools and the blades readily available.

There are classics that will set you back like a Gillette Goodwill, RFB, or the Aristocrats, but for experience alone, there are other options. The 1930's were the golden/glory years IMHO.

For something entirely different, GEM Micromatic with PTFE blades will be a step up on skill and effectiveness.

 

[slapo]

Historically, the Tech was a new concept as the advent of shaving cream emerged and clogging open combs were deleted. Now days with soaps and brushes have reappeared the solid bar is unnecessary. I have never read a review that a solid bar provides a superior shave.

I haven't used shaving creams produced during those years, but I suspect that was just marketing to justify introducing a new razor, possibly in reaction to Rotbart, rather than because open combs would clog from a shaving cream.
I have no evidence, it's just that it seems to be the usual Gillette strategy to introduce new products with a semi-reasonable explanation of how they're better.

 

[TobyC]

Historically, the Tech was a new concept as the advent of shaving cream emerged and clogging open combs were deleted. Now days with soaps and brushes have reappeared the solid bar is unnecessary. I have never read a review that a solid bar provides a superior shave.

Any blade holder from 1900 to the early '30's provides, IMHO, the golden era of blade holders.

Wanna Know the History of the Gillette Tech? Here it is!

Replitech Info:

globalshave.club

 

[Twelvefret]

I haven't used shaving creams produced during those years, but I suspect that was just marketing to justify introducing a new razor, possibly in reaction to Rotbart, rather than because open combs would clog from a shaving cream.
I have no evidence, it's just that it seems to be the usual Gillette strategy to introduce new products with a semi-reasonable explanation of how they're better.

Barbasol was invented and open combs went to solid. The Barbasol Floating Head was, of course, a solid bar type. GEM introduce the open comb Micromatic and later the solid in the '40's. Maybe or perhaps more men became clean shaven and wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. hence the Super Speed. As things progressed, the more mild the holder became. You cannot compare a 1915 Old Type result to a 1955 Super Speed.

 

[TobyC]

I haven't used shaving creams produced during those years, but I suspect that was just marketing to justify introducing a new razor, possibly in reaction to Rotbart, rather than because open combs would clog from a shaving cream.
I have no evidence, it's just that it seems to be the usual Gillette strategy to introduce new products with a semi-reasonable explanation of how they're better.

It was easier and cheaper to make a stamped baseplate than a machined one.

 

[chazt]

As a Tech lover I am enjoying this thread very much. Thank you. Carry on

 

[Gurdygurds]

As a Tech lover I am enjoying this thread very much. Thank you. Carry on

I’ll speak from a beginner’s perspective, and say that the Tech felt like a bit of a curveball. What I mean is, being that is so inexpensive and readily available, that it’s like a treasure hiding in plain sight. Then a member of another forum wrote,( in response to me questioning all the razors I had accumulated quickly) “Learn to use the tech, then get rid of everything else.” This felt like a zen master saying that all you need is already directly in front of you. It helped me realize that I don’t need to try every razor under the sun, especially a ton of current models that seem to be remakes of old designs. TobyC’s posts about the old type had the same feel. The best has already been made, but you just don’t know it yet. Anyway, this is why I’m focusing on these old Gillettes. I WILL limit myself however. I don’t want or need 10 razors. I’m going upstairs right now to shave with the little Zamak travel tech for the first time right now and I’ll let you know how I like it.

 

[Gurdygurds]

Had a good shave with the little travel tech last night. It seems very mild to me, but it did the job. I think more than the head itself, I just really like using the tiny handle. I shaved with it on the old type a little while back and enjoyed that as well. Weird that I like this mini handle but not the regular ball end that comes with some post war Techs. My mission now is to decide if I like the pre war or the post war better. Once I decide on that I can whittle down the small collection that I've accumulated and find my preferred blades. I've only used Astra SP so far.

 

[Twelvefret]

Had a good shave with the little travel tech last night. It seems very mild to me, but it did the job. I think more than the head itself, I just really like using the tiny handle. I shaved with it on the old type a little while back and enjoyed that as well. Weird that I like this mini handle but not the regular ball end that comes with some post war Techs. My mission now is to decide if I like the pre war or the post war better. Once I decide on that I can whittle down the small collection that I've accumulated and find my preferred blades. I've only used Astra SP so far.

Now I recall the one that was all the rage 5 years ago was the "Flat Bottom" Tech. Notice the difference?

I found one for sale if interested. Send me a PM.

 

[Gurdygurds]

Now I recall the one that was all the rage 5 years ago was the "Flat Bottom" Tech. Notice the difference?
View attachment 144437

I found one for sale if interested. Send me a PM.

I'm trying to THIN my collection, not add to it sir! I'll most likely just stick to US made post and pre war for now. In the grand scheme, I'm not sure I could pass a blind shave test as to which razor is which anyway but thank you!

 

[Gurdygurds]

After another shave using the post and pre war, I’ve decided to stick with my pre war and the other post wars I’ve got can go along with the Piccolo. I’m keeping the old type for now. Who knows, in the future maybe one of these two will be abandoned and I’ll become a one razor man.

 

[Gurdygurds]

Another Tech question folks. I could be wrong, but I thought at one point I read that the first travel Techs had brass bottom plates. I believe this is a 1964 model and from the plating loss it looks like it may be brass? Am I way off in thinking that it’s brass vs aluminum or Zamak?

 

[chazt]

Yes, it looks like a brassy spot.

 

[TobyC]

It's brass.

 

[Gurdygurds]

The psychosis continues! Left the pre war alone this evening and did a side by side comparison between the post war brass and the little 1964 travel Tech. While I felt like they both shave VERY similarly, there was something to the little guy that I liked more. Maybe it’s the short handle, but it felt easier to keep at the correct angle. I guess the beauty of this is that I like them all and get a good shave with any of them. Really didn’t plan on liking the travel tech, but dang it’s a nice little chunk of razor!