ID on grandfathers safety razor + :D

Z

Zanuha

Joined
Sep 27, 2010
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Look what I found at my grandpa's place. When I heard that he used to have a safety razor, I decided to go to the old house and find it. My mom was pessimistic, thinking she'd thrown it away with some junk, but I found it and his Gillette Sensor in a tool cabinet. I don't know what model it is, all I know is that it's a Gillette butterfly opener. I was hoping to maybe find a brush too, but this is still cool to have. I brushed all the crap away from the handles and soaked the head in a disinfectant for a few hours, god knows how much mold and rat piss it had on it. I don't plan on polishing it any further.
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The cartridge razor looks to be a Sensor Plus, and the other is a Gillette Slim Twist from about 1967 There would be a date code on the bottom of the head, a letter and a number between 1 and 4
 
Some of the details are different from pictures I've seen on the net. The ''bottom'' part of the razor has a rectangular shape stamped into it, while others I've looked at have a diamond shape. The Gillette text also doesn't have a border engraved on it, and next to it is engraved ''ENGLAND'' instead of ''Made in England.'' It doesn't have a patent number inside the head, and I can't find any number anywhere on the razor. I really want to find out what year this is from.
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Ok didn't realize it was a British razor, that would make it a Knack if I remember right, but I will look in to it more today.


Just did a bit of searching and it is still a Slim Twist and they were produced between 1966 and 1975. Without a date code to go by nailing down the actual age of the razor will be hard. It is common for non American Gillette's to not have a date code and you can only get a age spread for them.
god knows how much mold and rat piss it had on it. I don't plan on polishing it any further.
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A non abrasive polish will do wonders for it and not take much time. I don't know what is available to you, but I use Peek Polish, and many Americans use Fitz Polish to clean up their razors and make them gleam:thumbup: Once you have done the proper cleaning and disinfecting all it take to keep them that way is warm water and dish soap once and a while and the occasional polishing if used regularly. If you don't use it the odd dusting will keep it looking good, but I say use it, my oldest razor is a 1921 Single Ring and I use it the most.
 
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Thanks for everything. I will at least try it a few times, probably will use it. I'm not polishing it because it is indeed old and I want to keep the stained white color on the handle and the small scratches on the head. Fun fact: Grandpa has had three electric razors and two hair trimmers given to him, but he was bald and used these razors for his stubble.
 
Turns out the Gillette irritates my face much less than my Merkur 38 and it's much lighter and easier to shave with. Love it.
 
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