1960's Gillette Techmatic Cartridge Razor Shave Review: Matt's First Time

I’m Matt Pisarcik, founder of Razor Emporium, welcome to our channel!
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[@user-js2eg1nn1z]

One of the bittersweet happy memories of my youth! The 1965 Gillette Techmatic was my very first razor-- too cool for school! I was 14. Couldn't wait til my next shave- in about a week! I've used Gillette razors almost exclusively since. Innovative, focused company that knows how to crank out appealing, effective products year after year.

[@TheShaveArcade]

Intro commercial was so funny 😆. Love seeing those old ads.

[@stansteiber]

Nice blast from the past Matt!

[@johnmeyer1557]

Hey Matt. I remember my mom getting one for my dad. He told her he wasn't going to try anything new. So, I was next in line and told to use it because it was on sale at A&P. I put down my Slim and started using the "New" technology. I was only 18 yrs old at the time and not a great shaving expert. I thought it was pretty neat. I shaved with it for about four months. I found nothing special about it. Glad to get back to my tried and true Slim. Glad it gave you a good shave. I am also glad you didn't have to suffer through another nasty shave. Be safe and enjoy your weekend.

[@Warren.I]

This was great to see, Matt. Yeah, I used a Techmatic. I don't recall using the adjustable. It gave me a great shave on whatever the standard setting was. My only issue was similar to the one you raised at the end. I didn't like the idea of shaving with a blade bank in my razor. So I was happy to switch to the Trac II when it came out. Not for the twin blades but for hygienic reasons. Thanks for the demo.

[@coreychilders7678]

I've seen one other KZbinr use one of these, and they had a similar reaction... not only "not that bad" but actually gave a nice decent shave. I wonder if all the hate just came from it being so unusual for its time.

[@jtoo6060]

The Techmatic was my razor for many years till they quit making the cartridges. It gave me an excellent shave and I have a heavy beard and sensitive skin. The easy adjustable selection for my neck area was great. It was far better than these multi blade non-adjustable razors. I now use my Dad’s old Slim and it’s just as good with the easy adjustable feature

[@CRice-ln8lm]

Gillette had a rechargeable handle for the techmatic that made the head vibrate and improved the shave quality. I am 78 and bought one right after they were introduced. I was given the vibrator handle later.

[@aronscott9698]

My fiancé actually bought me one of these and a couple of old stock cartridges for it as a birthday gift a couple years back and I was pleasantly surprised with the results! Loved Matt’s reaction to the first pass lol finally some good products to use on the set!

[@RonnieYates]

Nice review and history Matt. Loved the old commercial.

[@gregleingang9409]

The history aspect is so much fun. Thanks for this interesting content!

[@fredhug85]

Great job Matt. Thnx to R.E. team for all the quality services you folks provide. Please allow DJ2 to have a x-tea 5 minute break. The best your friend Fred H.

[@terrym1065]

Matt🪒🪒 Great demo and shave. I never used one but my dad did, remember it laying on the bathroom sink. Don't remember any comments from him though, shaving was just a necessary chore back then. He normally used a Fat Handle Tech, Mennen Skin Bracer, Aqua Velva and Old Spice scented the air back in the day, so many choices....😉

[@walterfrasch8862]

Okay, it’s time for the REX MattMatic!

[@jayaruh47]

Nice shave, Matt. I had one of those back in their day, but I wasn't impressed. I moved on to Schicks. A few years back I got a techmatic in a batch of razors, and I revisited it. I, like you, got a great shave. I will revisit it once year.

[@eddobrzenski5726]

Great shave Matt along with a history lesson. Perfect! Keep up the great work.

[@walt66a]

I remember having one of those. Don't remember it being that great, but it had a great sales gimmick.

[@jimbo97]

I'm nearly 70, and the VERY FIRST razor I ever bought back in high school was a Gillette Techmatic. This was high tech stuff when everything else was either a Gillette DE or a Schick injector. I only had to shave once a week then, so I thought I'd "practice" and shave my chest! 😂 Just once. The prickly stuff lasted for a month! 😝Anyway, I used the Techmatic thru high school, college and afterward, until I got my first Norelco. Good shaves. I always got the regular non-adjustable cartridge. After years of swearing by the disposable Good News Pivot, I'm retired and I decided to try to master a DE and now I am also working with a vintage Ever-Ready SE. Very different from slapping around a Pivot that any idiot can use in 5 minutes. I have the time now. 😄

[@ScottRLeslie]

The razor that went to space! Great video Matt. I may have to get one! BTW I think you mis-spoke, L is 1966

[@johnp.fantinejr.2662]

Matt, I started with my father’s slim so my parents bought me a Black Beauty which I really liked but 2 years later went to change the blade and the door opened ok but would not close . As a not knowing immature 20 year old guy I threw it away. Bought the Techmatic and used it for about 2 years.Had many good shaves but the third time I changed the cartridge it just didn’t fit right and was difficult to work and shave with.Used my father’s old Shick for a while and then started shaving with the throw aways.Forty years later went back to double edge blades and wish I had done it sooner. Favorite razor is the Feather.

[@RobertNES816]

My Dad used a Sensor Excel for years and years until me and my sister got him a Braun foil shaver for Christmas one year. Before that he used an Atra Plus which I took. The Atra Plus actually shaves nicely. It doesn't pull as badly as the Fusion does.

[@titans1127]

Been loving all the content over the last few weeks! I wonder if there are any other oddly made razors you can try out in upcoming videos.

[@rayr5950]

I first used a Techmatic a couple years ago and I was pleasantly surprised also. Beats a multiblade cartridge Don't use it often but it's fun once in a while. I've since picked up another that is NOS.

[@grahamhardin8]

That’s interesting. I got a techmatic that belonged to my great grandfather from the 60’s/70’s. Worst razor I’ve ever tried. However, I did shave with the original blades so I might need to try some new ones.

[@JayImahara]

Love the content, Matt and crew!

[@adrian_V99]

Hi Matt, I came for the Techmatic but stayed for the lather!

[@briank.7937]

Great video! Tell us more about sneaking the blades on a carry on. Pain in the ass to have to check them

[@SteveKN4POP]

I've used mine a few times and i was surprised as well. Still prefer my de razors but not a bad shave. I really liked that commercial too. Stay blessed my friend

[@tomassalazar2798]

Razor emporium great video especially this one please try to keep it interesting

[@thebrazilianshaver]

Great one as always. That was an interesting one. Would love to try one some day!

[@RobertNES816]

My Dad has a Techmatic in storage. maybe I should buy a NOS cartridge and try it out one day.

[@BrandonIslander]

Had one, never shaved with it, got rid of it, now I want to buy again after this video lol

[@stan4622]

Cool video Matt !!,, I’d buy one on the fact that they shaved with one in space that’s cool enough for me 👌🏻

[@leehaseley2164]

This really was a turn up for the books, given that the Techmatic has the reputation of being the worst razor Gillette ever produced. I still use Sensor Excel cartridges for my head when I am in a rush. I got a whole bunch at an amazingly low price at Boots; $0.60 per pack! I am now down to my last pack, after three years🤭🤭🤭

[@Shaverboy516]

Matt your videos are a pleasure to watch and keep getting better. Can you remove the cartridge to get to where the water accumulates? Still makes for a great travel razor:)

[@1882dmac]

Is it just me or does that commercial give you nightmares? 😂 Creepy

[@BigDave0908]

Pretty icky; no question.

[@coreychilders7678]

"Remember my name" sounds more like threat.

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

NASA tested the heck out of all equipment sent on the Apollo missions. I'm sure the razors were no exception.... now, what shaving creme did they use ???

[@pauldenali6367]

I've noticed lots of folks in forums bashing this as Gillette's biggest failure. Seems to me it couldn't have been all that bad if the company produced it for six years. Certainly not nearly as big a failure as the 1947 Techmatic. Anyway... you've peaked my interest and I'd like to pick up one of these things and a NOS cartridge just to check it out.

[@Vince_Tasciotti]

I like the idea behind the Techmatic, yet it seems a little less versatile than a good double edge.

[@homerwhittakercoldron9617]

Well I was expecting blood and guts and a good old laugh with the title off the video...But ended been very interesting...I've seen the bodies off the razor but never the blade...Keep up the good work....Be interesting to see you use this for a week...hint hints time lapse video.....

[@charlespreiss3426]

I believe the reason that they needed to be somewhat clean shaven in case they had to use oxygen masks. My son is a FDNY EMT and he has to be clean shaven everyday for that reason. I got him into using a modern tech clone.

[@BRENDANTHERED]

Same reason they gave them out to soldiers, so they could wear a gas mask properly.

[@DoctyrEvil]

Imagine being stuck inside a spacesuit for hours with a flight cap on and itchy, 4 day old stubble and unwashed skin and you will understand why shaving is important in space!

[@DE_Razor_Shaving]

Dang it Matt, now i wanna try one of those razors! 😂👍🏼

[@jcshaves]

I was surprised by the outcome after seeing the video thumbnail. They had electric razors back then why didn’t they just use them? Well maybe they wanted a good shave.

[@janmartintietjens3909]

Liked the video..I remember them...was in Marine Corps then. I wonder if any blades are still available for them or does anyone make them (I would think not!!??)

[@nate4shave]

Wow it’s shave like a butter after this many years

[@razormichl2004]

top video 👍

[@jlumley22]

It was not just you. That was the creepyest Gillette vintage reel I've ever seen. Cannot decide what was worse, Apollo 18 or that commercial. Loved the post credit rationale. You are probably spot on Matt.

[@gingerkeith]

Matt it helps if the water is not to hard, I have to use bottled distiiled water. because I can not find anything else that works.

[@chrisparker5278]

What’s the point when NOS cartridges are £15+?

[@Menemisbond]

So a Rex Techmatic coming out soon? In all Stainless steel. Either using half DE blades or Feathers single edge? lol

[@roneastman4457]

I've always liked these. They have an undeserved poor internet reputation. They are excellent when I'm in a hurry. The blades last a long time. Plus Schick blades fit both brands.

[@buckturgidson1448]

Hey Matt, fun informative video. Nice to see that you didn’t get turned to hamburger! Any idea about the original retail for this system and how that compared to prices for “normal” handles and blades? Always enjoy your content.

[@RazorEmporium]

Not sure I think under $5.

[@michaelgreene6306]

Always wanted to give one a go just out of curiosity but it’s never happened lolz. Cheers everyone 👍🏻

[@anthonylowder6687]

Any idea how much these techs and especially the cartridges cost and where I can find one?

[@johnjanzen5856]

Good video! Is a Rex Techmatic now in the works?

[@RazorEmporium]

Lol

[@kaysguy]

Back in the day, I got more cuts from a Techmatic than any single edge or double edge razor. It was awful.

[@freddy77mac]

I couldn't agree more. Absolutely awful.

[@razorblade7676]

It's illegal to have a DE razor and blades in your suitcase on the plane? I do that shit all the time.

[@chubs2893]

Can you actually turn the blade back? You turned it from 5 shaves to 4 and then to 3. Could you turn it from 3 back to 4? Just curious about it! But love this kind of videos. Maybe I personally will never try one, but now I can imagine how it shaves. And how people from that period shaved with it 👍🏼

[@JimG7755]

Once you progress to the next edge, you can't return to the previous edge. Gillette made sure of this so you would purchase more cartridges!

[@doobotz]

Matt, any chance the preshave will become available in a push up/ screw type tube?

[@RazorEmporium]

Never gave that any thought. Let me consider it and talk to DJ.

[@baturro981]

So what made the thick lather? The pre-shave or the shaving soap?

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes. Plus our soap base kicks butt

[@pkj77]

I heard about the Gillette Techmatic, BUT i´m Danish and i only see it from places where the import will go sky high if i wanted to try it so nope

[@freddy77mac]

Sorry, Matt, but you and I are 180° on this. The Gillette Techmatic, for me at least, is absolutely the WORST system razor I have ever used. I started teaching in 1968 and this was the razor I used each morning. It was the exception rather than the rule where my face didn't have a few pieces of tissue or toilet paper on it to staunch the blood from nicks and cuts. That thing was absolutely diabolical. Your Rex Ambassador is a purring kitten compared to that monstrosity. It's also interesting that, in this video, you built up a beautiful traditional lather as opposed to using the foam in a can that was available in 1968. I would imagine that most men back then used canned foam if they also used the Techmatic, especially if they were rushing to get to work, as I was. If I compared the Techmatic from fifty-four years ago (when I started using it) to today's Fusion, it's no contest. The Fusion wins, hands down.

[@robbruno6713]

I'm leaving a comment to win a shirt.😀

[@steelwarrior105]

The poor man

[@tomassalazar2798]

🤓😃

[@charlespreiss3426]

Coming soon from razor emporium……. New techmatic cartridges. Lol

[@jeroenmulder328]

Supris eit wasnt that bad oi oi

[@chewbacca7856]

That ad was terrible. I thought the shave would be just as bad as the ad and could have been if you had a few days growth. Great video though. Kissed my wife after applying your beard balm. She said it smelled great but tasted like poison so I don't recommend eating it ha ha.

[@jimbo97]

I've never seen an after shave that tastes good! I only use it on my cheeks and neck, never around the mouth. :)

[@alx252]

If you smuggle a razor into the plain, are you then a smooth criminal?

[@RazorEmporium]

Lol

[@jooger69]

If techmatic is good, then what is the point of time that Gillette actually started producing sh... I mean suboptimal products

[@RazorEmporium]

Usually patents.

[@jooger69]

@@RazorEmporium ?

[@PrentissYeates]

Boy your shaves give me hope, had a awful shave last Sunday. No prep, old shave cream product, dry and 3 day on Astra SS, etc. nope need to check your site a buy better stuff.

[@paulbenson1610]

I used this as an 18 year old. I still have the scar tissue.

[@edwardmiles3921]

Not as much about looking good when you get back. Just like WWI, oxygen mask just like gas masks, seal better with a smooth face.

[@lucaseb1]

Sorry,but the Gillette Techmatic is a piece of shit for me. Try that razor against the grain....

[@spanishfly7709]

Um umm, nope, I am not convinced, it is still the trashmatic to me.

[@jerrywilson5173]

Great shave!!!! I’m loving the pre shave bar !!!! 👍🏻🪒💈😁

[@RazorEmporium]

Happy to hear