You just cant find them anywhere nowadays! The letter represents the year, found on the chart below, and the number 1-4 correspond with the quarter of the year. From 1930-1949, Gillette didnt mark its razor but started marking its blades. It was made in two versions, one of which was the deluxe model, targeted to the rich. Since the announcement that production of the BBS-1 stopped in January of 2018 the value has skyrocketed.There were a total of 441 BBS-1 razors produced from 2014 -2017 making it the least produced razor on our list. Id say the best place to find them is your familys attic! Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nations largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. In addition there are even some cartridge razors that tend to break the bank when it comes to purchasing. Having been made off and on for about 70 years, the Aristocrat was incredibly popular in its time, because of its classy look and hard-working shave. A: I have been accused of that a few times. This model was recently discovered and only one is known to exist as of this writing.An important fact is that a Red Dot case is slightly different than those of the regular fat boy. If it has a solid guard bar, it is a Tech. Expect to pay around $1500 -over $2k at auction. Value: $500-$880 A rare piece indeed, the "Red Dot" Fatboy was a product of Gillette's testing process for adjustable razors Only believed to be released in 1958 and recently discovered to be released in 1960, the Red Dot has the exterior build of a regular 195 Fat Boy razor (slightly larger) and the interior of the famous Toggle. The adjustment knob on the bottom can actually be removed and the inner mechanism can be adjusted further to the users preference. It was during this time Gillette was experimenting with different adjustable designs and using different test markets to see which one proved to be the best.There are many moving parts associated with the bottom dial and like the Toggle, its very important to ask a lot questions when making a purchase. Additionally, LeesRazors.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream. When submitting the order form, a web page opens with the address you are to send the razor(s) to. They were miniscule razors only 2 inches in height! Value: $200-$700Deemed as the razor that started it all the Gillette Double Ring is Gillettes first model and the first razor that accepted double-edge blades. It even had a dial under the middle section to adjust the aggressiveness of the blades, similar in mechanism and function as the Fat Boy. Fatboy Mirror Nickel $140, 24K Gold or Palladium $155, Slim Adjustable Mirror Nickel $120, 24K Gold or Palladium $135, Billings, MT (Summer) and Chloride, AZ (Winter), Email Me at: 2cmspencer@gmail.com (my prefered communication method). We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If you have a $100,000 to spend check out the Zafirro Iridium, a kickstarter campaign for a cartridge razor.Its important to mention that just two years ago a Gillette set that had JFKs initials was sold at auction for $35,000 and to my knowledge may be the highest a safety razor has ever sold for.So without any delay, lets go over the most valuable safety razors of 2018*Disclaimer: This article is based on the theory by the writer who has years of experience collecting razors. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife Linda, outdoor activities and collecting wet shaving apparel. All of these razors are gold plated and were available to the masses. 1 bid. It was named as such because its retail price was just $1.95. The serial numbers were upto 14 alphanumeric characters long and usually contained letters. I feel these are getting hard to find ( although Weber still makes handles i believe). Some people with sensitive skin find the natural oils better on their skin. 2: Oil can be put in the tto end, with doors open and tto up, place 3 to 5 drops in and work tto back and forth by gripping it with a damp washcloth and twisting back and forth while making the 1/4 turn for about a minute. Expect to pay around $200-$300 for uncased models and if it includes the case the value can increase as much as 50%. 45 Open Comb DE Safety Razor with case OneStopShaveShop (1,262) $189.00 FREE shipping It was a 3-piece razor. $1.00. Let me start this list of vintage Gillette Razors with a razor that sounds the most vintage. Their first attempt was the serial numbered Toggle (1955). This locks the blade in place. If you have larger hands, pick the longer handle! The short handle makes it comfortable and easy to maneuver. A lot of these razors are dated back to immense historical events, such as the second world war, allowing you to feel tied in with history. MaineYooper; Jun 18, 2022; Buy- Sell- Trade; Replies 2 Views 679. Some blades come individually wrapped, some in a small box, some in a little spring-loaded magazine. Work the tto back and forth by gripping it with a damp washcloth and twisting back and forth while making the 1/4 turn for about a minute. Start with the flat planes of your face like your cheeks, then move on to the trickier parts like your chin and upper lip. About The Author:Joe Borrelli is a long-time wet shaving enthusiast and collector. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Vintage Gem 1912 Style Single Edge Safety Razor with Brown/Purple . Now, this brand of double-edged razors is extravagant. Vintage Gillette Razors are restored to their original condition with our restoration process. To figure out the year of production, look under (or inside) the head of the razor for a letter and a number. To that end, theres been a lot of hubbub about vintage Gillette razors; after all, they made quite a name for themselves from the 40s to the 70s making iconic, ubiquitous double-edge safety razors that people still use today. Its an experience that may only happen several times in a lifetime, but can be replicated in your daily routine. It was one of the longest running Gillette razors so I cant even imagine how many Aristocrats are out there! This is a TTO (Twist to Open) double-edged razor that is engineered to perfection to give a mild shave that is silky on the skin. The tip of this razor is available in colors of red, blue, and black. Within 5 miles of your location. The 7 Best Vintage Safety Razor [Since 1930s]. First, lets get one thing out of the way: the blades are easily replaceable. One difference from the previous version is that this blade had a flatter guard. Has the ability to adjust the blade gap between the razors edge and its head. QUALITY- I feel that quality work comes from experience and concentration. Without the case minus around 15-20%. These razors were produced for only about 40 years, from 1906 to 1946. Address 130 McGhee Rd. However, if you care about your shave, you wont have any problem making the step up. One of the most popular models is the Gillette Super Speed, which was a very well-known and widely circulated post-war model, peaking during the mid 50s (making this a particularly popular model among baby boomers or people who are enamored with nuclear-family Atomic Age kitsch). THREE-PIECE RAZORS: 2a. Razor Emporium. I have recently starteed oiling the razors after plating with Break Free MIL-SPEC CLP. It was their first patent and was manufactured from 1903 to 1921. With this renewed interest in these unique razors, we decided to give a quick guide to their history, the ones you need to look for, and even some razors you can make do with in case you cant find them. These codes are found on the underside of the guard mechanism, or in cartridge razors, near the attachment mechanism for the blade. Check this out for more information. Manage Settings The vast majority of Aristocrats are also open-combed, with the ridged end that would guide your beard for easy cutting once you got it all done. Or you can use what I use Break Free MIL-SPEC CLP. I will no longer be shutting down when moving, the address where you will ship to will change, and there will only be a couple of days added. You can shave with history every day! Might take a few more passes than usual since the blades are straight rather than scalloped. The top of the razor, the blade cover, or the safety bars/guard plate has a flatter middle section. A: I read and follow Badger and Blade Forums regularly. Q: How come you are always moving and closing down temporarily. Might cause irritation if youre not experienced with safety razors. Knowing the age of a razor can provide context and much needed connection to a special life lived. These razors were mostly used in test markets although some were sold. Prices range $$$-$$$$.If you find one, dont hesitate to pick it up and remember your shaving with a piece of Gillette history. Its no surprise that people that are really into wet shaving (including myself) are really into the tradition of it that sense of antiquity and history that comes from knowing were shaving like our granddad. If they fought in the second or first world war, I could almost guarantee they would have had a double-sided safety razor on them at some point. The intention of this article is to showcase razors that can be found readily and not to showcase razors that are locked in museums or so far out of reach that readers will never be able to try. At the end you could even tell if your razors are vintage! There are 10 basic types of razors in this family, leaving aside minor variations in handles, country of production, finishes, and kits. I would love to support and advertise on B&B, but by doing so, I would have to raise my prices. You can identify it easily as it was manufactured in the first quarter of 1958 (D-1) and again for the fourth quarter of 1960 (F-4), so your original vintage razor will come with those codes. The Correct Answer With One Click. Parker 82R Deluxe Vintage Butterfly Safety Razor Parker 3 reviews Sold out $61.99 USD Parker 12R Chrome and Buffalo Horn Safety Razor Parker 6 reviews Sold out $31.99 USD Parker 91R Deluxe Safety Razor Parker 5 Sold out $37.99 USD Parker 45R Chrome and Enamel Safety Razor Parker 12 Sold out $31.99 USD Parker 22R Gun Metal Butterfly Safety Razor It had numbers printed on it, from 1 to 9. Designed to be used wedge style blades that could be honed and stropped, these razors were readily available and could be purchased at a whopping $3.50. These Solid Guard razors were the first from Gillette and sure do deliver smooth shaves. Common razor so you can buy restorations for a reasonable price. It makes you feel classy and takes you out of a world where plastic razors, developed for profits, can stop you from having that perfect shave. The extremely rare yet innovative Apollo Mikron was released in limited quantity around the 1950s and consisted of a similar design as Gillettes Fatboy. Vintage Gillette safety razors, like all safety razors, might be a little intimidating to the novice user. Due to the razor being made in surplus, and quite recent for a vintage razor, the lightweight razor is still quite cheap to buy. [caption Vaseline is a well-known brand of petroleum jelly. Not only this, but its also way more environmentally friendly (reducing the size of those landfills!) Single Edged Razors . Safety Razors. They too have the ability to bring big bucks in auctions. The plastic handle also makes it quite cheaply made compared to other vintage razors. The rest of the fees are for Mailing, packaging, seller fees, credit card fees,, website fees, domain name, polishing rouge, polishing wheels, wire wheels, cleaners, degreasers, plating chemicals, precious metals, etc. The Toggle is another hit from the late 50s/early 60s, so namd because of its 5 adjustment position toggles that made it such a unique adjustable DE razor. If it is a one-piece razor, go to 6. The letter A indicated production in 1930, B was for 1931, and so on. Copyright All rights reserved | Barber's Corner, Best Mens Aftershave Lotion for Sensitive Skin (2023). Safety Razor Aggressiveness First of all, you need to determine how aggressive of a shave you like. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Vintage Yankee Safety Razor with Case and Blade Banks. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Its no surprise that people that are really into wet shaving (including myself) are really into the tradition of it that sense of, that comes from knowing were shaving like our granddad. Joe holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, and currently works for the nations largest wine/spirits/beer retailer. Gillette was trying to find one razor that could meet the needs of any individual regardless of their shaving needs. If the blade is held in place with cones that go from the cap through the base, go to 4. Were glad that now you can identify it by name! Earlier Apollo models were designed to use only Apollo blades but later models accept all double edge blades.There is not much information on these hefty razors from Germany. This fat handle is designed for a clean but more aggressive shave. Asprey is a designer company out of England and has been in business since 1781.Plated in 18k gold this razor looks to be a rebranded Gillette that Asprey put their own final touches on. Glide over the skin easily thanks to the scalloped blade and the heavy handle. The numbers 1 to 4 indicated the quarter in which the blades were produced. A: My wife and I like to enjoy ourselves outside, just not in the snow. Download this stock image: Antique illustration of a portrait of Andreas Osiander, German Lutheran theologian. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Saying that, restorations come relatively cheap, and you can actually find them very quickly with a search on eBay. There were times when people needed to vary the shave they were getting, after injuries or even just because they wanted a different shave! All the coding systems are listed below. Ive found a couple of aristocrats from over the years, from 1917 to 1970! The Fatboy is a brilliant shaver that no man . . The 5 Most Valuable Antique Straight Razor Ever Sold in The World 1. The whole processes takes about 10 seconds (20 seconds if you never played with Legos). When it comes to shaving, it really is important to listen to your elders. The single blade is perfect for delicate skin, and glides over it smoothly, leaving it feeling clean and silky. Theres an appreciation for the old-fashioned and unconventionally stylish, which is why the vintage element of wet shaving, though they stopped from the 30s to the 50s, Badger and Blades Wiki on Gillette Vintage Razor Timelines, Shaving101s Guide to Vintage Gillette Razors, SLVshadows Video Guide to his Vintage Gillette Collection, Sharpologistss Guide to the Best DE Razors (Includes Vintage Gillettes), Classic Razors Short Guide to Gillette Safety Razors Throughout History. Probably the most sought after vintage razor today, the Gillette Toggle needs no introduction. Find out more about Joe here. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Linda & son Anthony, reading, writing, outdoor activities and collecting wet shaving apparel. Thanks to the masses in colors of red, blue, and black 1930, B was for,! And collecting wet shaving apparel in limited quantity around the 1950s and consisted of portrait! These solid guard bar, it is a one-piece razor, the Gillette needs! 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Identify it by name and silky rights reserved | Barber 's Corner, Best Mens Lotion... Will only be used for data processing originating from this website really is important to listen to your elders out. Part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent the consent submitted will only be used for processing... And follow Badger and blade Banks comfortable and easy to maneuver over skin... Over it smoothly, leaving it feeling clean and silky used in test markets although some were sold audience and... Aggressive shave its an experience that may only happen several times in a,. Of our partners vintage safety razor identification data for Personalised ads and content measurement, audience insights and product development shaving! Come individually wrapped, some in a small box, some in a lifetime, but its also way environmentally. Was manufactured from 1903 to 1921 provide context and much needed connection to a special life.! 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One thing out of the longest running Gillette razors with a search on eBay handle makes. I like to enjoy ourselves outside, just not in the snow the natural oils better on their.. The bank when it comes to shaving, it is a Tech to maneuver addition there are even some razors! Valuable Antique straight razor Ever sold in the snow get one thing out of the longest Gillette... You care about your shave, you need to determine how aggressive of a portrait of Andreas Osiander German. These solid guard bar, it really is important to listen to your elders 4 indicated the quarter the...