Thread: Gillette DE I found in a thrift store

I, this is my first post. I found a Gillette DE razor in a thrift shop and picked it up for 3 euro. I already use a nice heavy Merkur DE and am buying a straight edge soon (probably a vintage one). I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what this razor is worth? I'm debating whether I should sell it or use it as a backup/travel razor (since it's lighter than my Merkur). It came in an original (?) plastic case, is a 3 piece, and is stamped on the underside of the...not sure of the right term, the middle piece, with Gillette in a diamond and "Made in England". There was even an old Wilkinson sword DE razor in the case, also marked "made in england". Here are some pics, one with the Merkur for comparison (sorry about the quality). Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Welcome to SRP!

Sorry but we don't do appraisals on this site. You may want to try an eBay search.

Welcome to SRP. That is a Gillette tech if I'm not mistaken. Good shavers IME, if I were you I would keep it for your back up. You may even like it better than your Merkur.

Yep, a fat handled English Tech.

Clean and polish her up and put her to use.

Techs make good travel razors as the three piece design breaks down better for packing than a TTO or a two piece, but as you also have the case, that is not really a consideration.

Good to know. Any idea when it was made? It's quite a nice piece, not as light as the razor that brought me into the realm of wet shaving (an aluminum, butterfly top razor who's only markings were "Good Morning" on the top. A friend brought it back for me from India), but lighter than the Merkur. Although I have to say, I do like the the Merkur's heft.

Any suggestions for cleaning it up? I already used alcohol swabs to rub off the residue, dirt, and hair on the head. To be honest though, I kinda like the green stuff on the handles, gives it character.

I'm not completely sure it's a tech though...a quick google search gave me this FS: Gillette Tech w/ box - Badger & Blade, and the handle looks completely different. Mine isn't exactly round, more polygonal, and doesn't have gillette embossed on the top piece, just underneath the middle. Could this be a manufacturing date thing?

Thanks a lot! I just purchased a vintage straight razor, so I'm sure I'll be back here often.

L

Quick edit, on having a look I'd say the handle of mine isn't polygonal, but round with multiple thick raised straight ridges as opposed to the cross-hatching see in the link.

Cheers,

L

The Tech model had a very long production run (somewhere around 40 years from the 30's into the late 60's) and there are several different variations, even down to the shape of the two slots in the base plate, handle style (yours is the fat handle), material (some heavy some light), short handled travel razors, and several other items. I'm not a Tech expert, but there are a few around that could give you the entire history.
They were also made in several countries.

Hey thanks, good to know. I just tried shaving with it and it provides a pretty nice shave. And the case will make it easier to travel with. Knowing a bit about the history of it gives the shave a little extra. Now if I could only convince my girlfriend to listen to my long rants about disposable razors.....

Yeah, they are not bad for a DE. Here is some information from Mr. Razor's site: