History of Gillette and Other Safety Razors 1930 to 1970

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Geo.
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Have A Great Shave, Have A Great Day!
Geo.

[@brianfuller7691]

Still a great video in 2019. Thanks

[@mercoid]

I have the ‘59 Fat Boy. My father bought it new. I used it for my first shave when I was 16. Last year I decided to trash all my cartridge razors and use this exclusively. I’m 54 and never looking back at any other shaving system.

[@TheRealBrook1968]

I occasionally use my grandfather's Valet type 1 that had no cap. He received it as a gift in 1928 when he left for college. I refinished the metal and velvet box, but the chrome on the razor is mint.

[@geofatboy]

#beastmode

[@georgewashington3012]

I agree on the ‘59 being your fav. There’s something cool about a razor from the 50s that’s robust and hardy. It was our best era as a nation.

[@geofatboy]

Back when Gents wore suits and fedoras to baseball games. Good times!

[@danr.graham9331]

Very informative, Geo. Appreciate the info. I've been using for a month a Gillette 1940's shaver - in mint condition - used by my grandfather. Comes in a brown wooden case with a chrome blade box. Raised area that says: Gillette. Interesting how the products manufactured generations ago are still being used. My grandfather probably paid $2.50 for the set.

[@isvlh7139]

Whats funny is $2.5 at 40s is like $43 now

[@joeperiat723]

Thank you Geo. what a great historical video. You do an outstanding job! :-)

[@RobertNES816]

My biggest mistake was getting into vintage safty razors. I started with 3 and now I'm up to I think 20 lol. The vintage Gillettes shave so nicely and the absolute perfection Gillette had with their manufacturing is something that not even top end safety razors can touch these days. Sad how we've gone backwards in allot of ways.

[@landocalrissian5180]

“They don’t make ‘em like they used to”. This saying holds a lot of truth sadly, made in USA doesn’t mean what it did.

[@RobertNES816]

@@landocalrissian5180 yup the USA sure did have an amazing manufacturing industry at one time. But like every country the Government gets too big and everything around it goes to crap. People don't get the correlation unfortunately.

[@landocalrissian5180]

@@RobertNES816True words. They sold our nation down the river in the name of neo-liberalism and “free trade”.

[@geofatboy]

Nailed it!

[@RobertNES816]

@Ukrainian petal mine they sure did nail the design!

[@feynthefallen]

Schweeet. Thanks to you, I now know the razor I shave with every day is a 1966 Gillette Super Speed. Shrewd buy, Grandpa!

[@BurnMyEyes0107]

while mantic got me into traditional wet shaving, you helped me perfect my technique and enjoy it. Thanks for all your work bro.

[@deshave5260]

Great video. Very interesting and informative. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

[@WolfRanger2008]

I thoroughly enjoyed the show! Thank You.

[@areguapiri]

Maybe.....???? History Of The Unsinger Razor Phillip Unsinger, of Fremont Ohio, applied for the patent for his first razor design on March 2, 1911. On November 21, 1911 the patent was awarded. Philip H. Unsinger and his brother Pete Unsinger operated the Unsinger Razor Blade Co. Interestingly enough, the company was located across the street from the Crescent factory on Ohio Avenue. The Crescent factory manufactured a variety of items such as knives household utensils and even razor blades.

[@Grimexperience62]

Very interesting and informative video, I appreciate this Geo.

[@bradleycred99]

Thanks for the tour of your vintage razors. 🙏🏼

[@raymustaine3274]

Thanks for sharing my friend, love the vid and history.

[@markhallaq]

Very informative, lots of details, keep making videos!

[@TheOrderOfTheDragon]

I own Gillette VTECH from the 50s & 70s as well as a Gillette Spiral Tech from the 70s and they provide the best shave I have ever had.

[@dwreck5017]

I was able to find a small amount of info also on the Ohio. Apparently Ohio was a match company that went out of business in 87 but the started in the 1800's. Possibly a promotion item. There are blade displays on ebay

[@leekhan8948]

Yep Geo very detailed intro video and helpful you’ve got a nice collection there.

[@geofatboy]

Thanks Lee-I appreciate that.

[@airdbreck]

Great video I bought the Gillette tech ball end on EBay thought it was from 50s now I know it was from 40s thanks for info

[@tavismacdonald7759]

hey geo recently enjoying your videos . ive ordered a straight and strop ect. and would love to see a straight razor history video. !

[@alexsantiago357]

Great shave vids as always geo.......

[@YamadaDesigns]

Twist-to-open (TTO) looks pretty nice to me.

[@TheRealMikeyXZ]

Finally! I know how old my DE is.. I started wet shaving with one of the 30's Gillette razors, like the one you have, about 5 years ago. I've been using a Dovo Bismarck and a GD 208 straight razor for the past 2 years.. but that Gillette still makes its way into my rotation regularly. With feather blades of course!

[@erniefay8644]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@geofatboy]

Thanks Ernie! Glad you liked it.

[@SuperGatorfan1]

Two thumbs up, way up. Bro you always knock it out of the park with your videos. That is some collection you have there. Do you ever take any of those classic beauties for a spin? You have definitely set the bar for the rest of us wet-shavers. Anyway man thanks for putting this one out, I really enjoyed watching. And thanks for the service your doing for us guys trying to bring back some tradition in our lives. Keep up the great work. Peace.

[@Laverty318]

Awesome video as usual my friend

[@InfiniteRagnarok]

Awesome and very informative vid!

[@dstorm258]

Nice collection!

[@smithshaven]

Excellent Excellent Excellent Geo! Very nice info and tour. Thanks so much! I used a Schick (Revere) injector for a few years, put it away and then later sold it on ebay. A week later I couldn't believe what it sold for. Guess I shouldn't kept it. I like my DE89 better anyway. Your channel is my daily check back channel. Always waiting for new Geo videos.

[@jsj297]

This is the ONLY video on youtube that goes through the different old school gilletes. You did very well I think. I didnt know anything about those. Although, I did just aquire a GEM 1912 SE razor.....U got one of those yet?? She shaves nicely! Great video, and wonderful collection you have!

[@tionlover]

cool collection g.

[@rthomas003]

awesome video. I bought a safty razor at an antique shop today for $5.00 looked almost brand new ,put a new blade in it and it works great, I came online to figure out how old it is and my exact razor is in this video (gillette gold tech) I thought is was maybe from the 60's or something because it looks so decent, never would have guessed it was from the 1940's. I guess maybe I shouldn't actually be using it since its an antique but I really love the way it looks and feels.

[@teclec]

I have the same Gold Tech as in this video...don't be afraid of it, its a nice mild shave, in my opinion its a great starter razor. With any razor just take your time and prep correctly, its all in the prep.

[@sergeylazarev4569]

2021 still excellent

[@geofatboy]

Thanks Sergey!

[@KyleSchwanz]

Love the videos, keep em coming!!! Are you planning on doing one on different DE blades? I know they vary from beard to beard, but any blades you like best? Thanks again!

[@geofatboy]

I prefer Feather and Astra DE Blades. shavenation.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

[@briggs5sboy]

I just bought a well used Gillette Gold Tech at an antique store and had my first DE shave yesterday. Great experience.

[@mariabutler3356]

briggs5sboy it’s been 7+ years ago but I’m wondering how that first shave was. Looking into buying a vintage gilette

[@SneakyThew]

nice video geo

[@nithishpraveen4363]

Thank you geo I have 1920's Gillette fully bronze Coming 2020 it will complete 100 years

[@sonucraze]

Really nice collection :] That Schick razor's so different from the rest of the group, but I'd say that it's the most similar to the cartridge razors we have nowadays.

[@itsamathematicsthing]

Hi Geo Another great video! You have some lovely razors there and, I bet, these are just a small sample from the shaving wing of the house! LOL! I tell you my friend this damn RAD is just getting worse! I’ve spent much of the week trying to find a good quality Gillette Red Tip and, having found one, dithered too long and it was sold to somebody else! I'll keep looking though. Part of the fun is in the chase, as the saying goes. Keep up your great work and take care! David

[@vr4787]

I just picked up a safety razor. It’s a learning curve but I do like it more than the disposable razors I’ve used for so long.

[@samuelcabrera9456]

I have that exact gillete travel razor in the red case!

[@beetlejuice4693]

Just bought a 30s new in the case with the original blade in box in box for 25$ razor looks almost perfect but the box and the blades have a lot of damage it shaves amazing

[@postscript67]

@geofatboy The Rolls shaves very well (chin too!). It has a hollow ground Sheffield blade like a section of an unusually wide straight. Unfortunately when experimenting with my straight razor on Sunday, I went over my chin and lower lip area so often trying to find the right angle etc that I have had to allow my skin a few days to recover. I think I need to work on keeping the edge sharp too. No such problem with the Rolls where the mechanism keeps you right. Good luck in finding one.

[@mickey875]

I have the travel size gillete in mint also

[@TheAdmiral1976]

Nice museum Geo! I feel a buzz knowing that Mr. Capone and Elliot Ness used these bad boy tools back in the day in Chi-town and still going strong, like one of the comments added why has Gillete turned their back on these beauties and invested in hech tech junk. Great collection... it puts mine to shame LOL! Btw No more blood spot just by changing my technique and direction of shave. You the Man Geo. Keep it up bro. :)

[@wallacenapier1327]

Can you tell me the date code for the Gillette Super Speed Flare Tip? I didn't catch the date in your video. Thank you! And AWESOME video! :)

[@MrBawston]

Geo ill be ordering your bowl of course and plus I rather give you my business. Itching for T&H lol

[@kamaalrahimtula6781]

would love one of the fat boy. great videos keep up the good work

[@MrBawston]

Geo will you be adding any product from Truefitt&hill ? And what's your thoughts on the ultimate comfort cream ?

[@MrBawston]

I know your working hsrd. I bought that movie on bluray looks sick ! I live 10 mins from the ball park

[@MGlennRoss]

What no Schick Krona?:-) I've got the Gillette Travel Ball Tip, a Krona, and a Gillette Red Tip. All of them offer me great shaves. For those of you concerned about using antiques, don't worry. I use Shark blades in mine, but your mileage may vary.

[@MrBawston]

Geo another question for you lol should I send me Gillettes to razor emporium to go through them or clean polish them myself ? The rhodium plating looks sick but kinda steep in price or just have them clean/paint

[@punavmirlekar]

Please help. At 1:35 you show the gold tech razor. I have the exact same one but not gold plated and the upper portion does not have the gellette branding on it. The Branding is on the inside of the second plate the comb so to say. Please tell me what razor it is. I can send you pics too if that can help

[@shavefan12]

Awesome video geo! So, how about you send me those razors and I can test them out, purely for educational and review reasons of course. I promise you'll get them back, really you will, in about 40 years! loll.

[@MrBawston]

Geo any new vids coming got a itch for some more lol

[@dunderlarsson44]

I have the same model razor like the gold one but in nickel or steel. I don't know the material. I also have a blue and see through plastic case for it. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks!

[@magnoliamike]

Can you do a shave with the 1930’s Gillette “NEW” Short Comb? If you have the long comb only that’s fine. I had a long Comb but sold it and now I have a short comb and I really enjoy it. I’d love to see your review and thoughts on it GEO!! 💈😁✌🏻💈

[@claudinopecorelli1005]

Tengo la Gillete adjustable

[@jaymzpatterson61]

Capone always made it to his barber

[@wallacenapier1327]

Probably the barber always made it to Capone. :)

[@swamyswamychikkaswamy7349]

My father use to shave from one side opened metal shaver to which a blade by name "VIOLET" a metallic blue colourd one side sharpened was using.Now I have the razor but the Violet blade is not in existence it seems.

[@jerrysmith7166]

i just picked up an antique razor today gold in color comb design but its hinged and one sided. dont know what blades it takes. also picked up a gillete adjustable safety razor. ive bought 2 vivitar super speed types but they both stopped tightening for some reason, hopefully the antique gillette wont do that.

[@nawafalrashidi4774]

Thinks

[@MrBawston]

Geo I want the cubs to win aswell trust me! Im going to send you some pics if those razors I picked up. How is that new shaving bowl you have added on your sight in thinking about buying it the price is right

[@RonnieGreher]

Great video Geo. Are there any modern TTO razors? I'd like to get this style of razor.

[@geofatboy]

Thanks Ronnie! Below are all the TTO/Butterfly razors we carry at Shave Nation: shavenation.com/collections/butterfly-tto

[@RonnieGreher]

Thanks Geo!

[@geofatboy]

I can also add that the Parker 22R Gun Metal (mild) and the 99R (more aggressive and heavier) are the most popular.

[@imjusttoodissgusted5620]

I would like to see, if possible a mint WWII GI shaving kit. I use my 3 piece GIllette I figure thats pretty close. but mine is a 1951 first quarter one. and a 71 slim adj.

[@geofatboy]

+Imjusttoo Dissgusted You should be able to see one here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqK5fJqsgJyopdU

[@romulodosefeitos8ball413]

Muito bom

[@ioanandreibusu4135]

Geo after watching ur videos I'm hooked...my only regret in life is that my beard doesn't grow fast enough...I'm considering using Rogaine to grow if faster.

[@geofatboy]

Lol! Dreadnought shaving products contain decelerine which supposedly helps slow down beard growth... You're taking it in the other direction! Enjoy!

[@ioanandreibusu4135]

Hey mate sorry I was just kidding. What I meant to say was after learning the joys of shaving with a straight I can't go back and it's become one of my life's little pleasures.

[@geofatboy]

Ioan-Andrei Busu Ahhh, I know what you meant. Lots of Gents are wishing they could shave twice a day instead of once! It becomes an enjoyable daily ritual.

[@78recordrepair]

Just a heads up here. There is a another great straight razor shaving scene in the beginning of the movie Rawhide (1951, with Tyrone Power. Not the TV show)

[@Mahaney82]

I just recieved what I think is a Fat Boy the other day from my GFs father. He purchased it new in the 60s. It has and adjustable blade on it as well. 1-9 is the settings. I will look for the code stamping when I get home. I do enjoy it, but havent found the setting that suits me.

[@postscript67]

Do you have a Rolls Razor in your collection? An ingenious design with a single blade with its own stropping and honing mechanism in the case. I picked up an 80-year-old unused example on eBay this week and it's amazing. I'm also learning to use a straight razor and have found your videos a great help. Thanks very much. If only my chin wasn't such an awkward shape...

[@markb3146]

bit late in reply, i have 2 in my collection bought from antique stores in rural Australia

[@collindm56]

How much are those vintage razors worth? i would love to start a collection, but i want to know what kind of money i would need lol. Thanks Geo!!

[@Zack-xz1ph]

the gillette new and the fatboy are the best vintage safety razors hands down

[@paullemay3218]

I have a Gillette super speed twist to open and there are no numbers anywhere on the razor. It looks very much like the one you have shown from the 1940"s. If there is no date code then how do we determine the date? Looking forward to hearing from you. Hope you have a great day and thanks for sharing this video.

[@stickersdogcat42]

There's a Gillette razor code chart you can use to look it up. It includes info for when there are now numbers/codes as well.

[@Gomindyourownloser]

Thank you you taught me something about a razor I bought years ago it is my daily go to work horse it is a 1940's Super Speed twist open butterfly Safety razor side note I find it funny they call them safety Razors because they a are unforgiving mistress you learn or you bleed

[@geofatboy]

That is awesome! Thanks Josh.And-Be careful.

[@mdinc20]

A website called razor emporium does full restoration and cleans for $50

[@marcjmears]

How much would you expect to pay for the 1940s Gillette Butterfly razor(just like the 3rd one you went over) in a antique store? reason for asking I found one for only $20 bucks....wondering if that is a okay deal or a great deal. It's in great condition.

[@andyhedin4893]

For $20 a 1940's style Super-Speed in great condition would be a good buy, in my opinion. I recently paid around $40 for one on eBay, granted I might have paid too much but my R.A.D. got the best of me and I couldn't resist buying it!

[@uweteichert7363]

Concerning your OHIO Safety Razor. You probably know more about it already by now. I did find OHIO Razorblades with the same logo on Pinterest. Unfortunately I do not have an account there. James Hontz posted a picture of the blades and details on Pinterest. Regards from Germany, Uwe

[@geofatboy]

Thanks for your info-I'll check it out.

[@uweteichert7363]

geofatboy Brandname is „OHIO Red Label“ for the blades.

[@MrNetrushka]

hey geo, i have a gillette gold tech, but i'm afraid to use it cause it's so old!!! can you do a video with it?

[@ivermec-tin666]

Don't worry. It is a very mild razor. Be sure to sanitize it properly before your first use with alcohol or barbicide. Take a hot shower, lather up, and go slow, 30 degrees with the grain, with no force, then across the grain. Two passes will probably do you with some pickups. Get yourself a variety pack of blades, or just start with an Astra SP in the green box. This blade is sharp but forgiving and works for most people in a mild razor. The tech is prone to clogging. Keep washing out the blade guard.

[@MrBawston]

No problem I was going to order a tub of it to try out but I'll wait a little bit. And amazon has your shaving bowl it's a clone lol

[@KingOrest]

Do you think the 1940s Gillette Gold Plated Tech is a great beginner's razor?

[@srpk_khin]

Yes tech is great choice for all people.

[@baghdadx]

what do u think about ??? weishi 9306-e

[@lerp85]

Hey there. I got a gillette off of ebay, with the date code U-4. Could you tell me what that dates it too please?

[@andyhedin4893]

4th quarter of 1974

[@MrBallistics]

hey man, what do you know of gillette aristocrats?

[@dancono1]

Could that last razor be a Christy co - Fremont Ohio???

[@imjusttoodissgusted5620]

I would also like to know about shaving Creams that work into a good lather. I want some for Christmas.

[@geofatboy]

+Imjusttoo Dissgusted Choose any one of these: shavenation.com/collections/taylor-of-old-bond-street-creams-soaps

[@CoolXer0]

where can I get a schick injector razer ?

[@andyhedin4893]

Try eBay or one of the buy/sell/trade sites on Facebook or one of the other shaving-related forums.

[@elainefriend-robertson5974]

Are any of these worth money

[@geofatboy]

If you're into collecting them-Yes. If not, here are the newer versions: shavenation.com/collections/safety-razors

[@user-dd6xu9tl8q]

Mr.GeoFatBoy, why GILLETTE stopped producing safety razors?

[@ivermec-tin666]

Safety razors were a loss leader for Gillette. Their business model was based upon selling razor blades. Their core business model is still the same. Gillette is arguably the dominant company in the de razor blade market worldwide.

[@AngelDenker]

I recently found my Dad's collection of vintage razors. He spent years buying them at flea markets and yard sales. Let me know if anyone is interested. Here are the photos: share.icloud.com/photos/0wpjRG6RVjdvfU4W2aJhGwatg

[@goatkiller68]

Ive been looking at some Fatboys on ebay. They are a bit expensive but not too bad. Some guy has one still wrapped in the plastic from 1959 and is asking $580. I think he will never sell it for that much

[@MrBawston]

How did Gillette go from making these to making crappy vibrators

[@ivermec-tin666]

Planned obsolescence, greed, lack of pride in craftsmanship, hippies, the rise of idiocracy... take your pick.

[@RevolutionaryBrewer]

Super speed looks like my rocket - Gillette made some quality razors - still going today

[@ivermec-tin666]

As I understand it, the Super Speed was USA made, and the Rocket was UK made. They are considered to be analogous, with different marketing strategies for the two markets, and some differences in build quality.

[@184080]

If Scarface was not shaving with a Merkur Futur he was shaving with the wrong razor. Maybe that is why/ how he scared his face?

[@Sahil-Singh.]

Not a fan of Gillette.. I like Pearl, Pink Woolf, AuraSkin, Romer, Mercury razors..

[@persereikanen6518]

Too much toxic masculinity

[@geofatboy]

You would feel better with a 29 cent plastic disposable razor?

[@persereikanen6518]

@@geofatboy No but my wife's boyfriend does

[@srpk_khin]

Should have switched to safety razors. These old gillette vintage are good for us. The mordern day gillette will not get money from us if we buy vintage one..

[@jennysmith4646]

Gillette the best a men can get 🤣