The Gillette Tech

I started out with a Tech....half a century ago...and have in my rotation an Aluminium Ball End tech....coupled with a Feather blade this is a great little Razor...and I mean little it seems tiny compared to the Merkur Futur for example...

For someone just starting out with DE shaving this would be a good razor to gain experience with....I would think you'd have to try very hard to cut yourself with this razor...even with a Feather blade in it...
 
I love tech's I've got 9 of them,and love shaving with all of them. I can honestly say I have never had a bad shave with any of them,a 1950s gold plated fat handled tech was my first vintage razor,so simple to use and maintain,possibly ideal first razor I know a tech will be my two sons first DE razor the cheeky bleeders have picked what ones they want, pah jogg on kitty's :)
 
My first post on the forum! I was searching the web for some information about a razor and to cut a long story short, ended up right here :)
After my grandfather died, I inherited his Gillette razor, complete with bakelite case - at the time I was just a young lad and in the intervening years I tried it out a couple of times and it didn't end well. Anyway, I was raising funds for Movember and had to shave so I pulled the old razor out and tried again, having learnt how to shave with a safety razor... and I love it!
There's something quite special about using my granddad's razor, a 1940's Gillette Tech Thin Handle and I really enjoy the whole DE shaving experience.

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NOTE: I know Flatfish has posted a Tech review already, but this one covers a few other types of Tech so I've created a new thread


The Gillette Tech describes a variety of razors made over what I understand to be a fair few years. They aren't all exactly the same and have subtle differences that can completely alter a shave. In no particular order I'll be discussing the Travel Tech (USA version), the Ball-Ended Tech (UK), the Aluminium (slim) Handled (UK) and the Fat Handled (also UK)*.

Here's a couple of group shots to show the different types:

4053024530_a9fe181849.jpg


4053024718_37d486ed19.jpg


4053024946_db1762e0f4.jpg


Travel Tech
The mini-handled travel tech is the only USA made tech I own and it does have a few distinct differences from the others (I can't comment on whether these are applicable to UK made travel techs...) which make it unique in my collection. Here's the razor:

4053022222_97e2e7a416.jpg


4052280439_cd56947ff6.jpg


4053023860_dd92c9bc1b.jpg


As you can see the handle is about 2/3 of the size of a standard safety razor which allows it to be packed away in a case roughly the size of a pack of blades. The most noticeable difference is the lack of blade guides on the upper part of the head. The other techs all feature some sort of rail to ensure the head and blade remain aligned, whereas the USA model has 4 posts on the top part and corresponding gaps in the middle of the razor. This makes the blades slightly easier to change and I have never had a problem with blade alignment.

The other difference is head shape - the curve of the top is actually slightly different to the other techs, making the head of the razor a little thicker. This makes it a bit less nimble around fiddly areas such as under the nose, but the added thickness makes it easier for me a get a perfect blade angle every time with this razor.

As with all techs this one isn't aggressive in the slightest - something I find excellent.

Ball-Ended Tech and Aluminium Handled Tech
Both the ball-ended tech and the alu-handled tech have the same head - I assume the difference in handle is based on age and cost at original purchase? Here's the two:

4052279895_b684f8d5fb.jpg
4052279495_fdd4226931.jpg


4052280603_fdd2301417.jpg
4053023428_e5e8e54e49.jpg


4053024096_03a8d44bb3.jpg
4053023632_8a8dc2ea24.jpg


The ball-ended tech has seen a lot more use and abuse (in fact the alu-handled has never been used) which makes it appear lighter in colour - this is just an effect of the photography. Both would have had the same Gillette logo etched into the top (unlike the embossed logo on the travel tech) although in the light of these photos neither really show it off!

Both razors use a rail to align the blade, with the older ball-ended tech having a complete rail and the newer version having rails at each end. The difference is negligable. The thin-ness of the head and the lightness of the razor overall make this tech a very gentle razor in every sense (the travel tech seems to be plated, making it heaver than these two combined!) but that shouldn't put you off. I've always had excellent shaves from this style of tech and I consider them to be ideal razors for anyone starting out, or for those who want a reliable everyday razor.

Fat Handled Tech
The heftiest of bunch is the fat-handled tech - the complete opposite of the travel:

4053022832_7de1b5218b.jpg


4052280071_3e32441fa7.jpg


4053024290_29b51356d2.jpg


This razor is by the largest of the four, not just in handle but also in head. The upper two parts of the razor are thicker and heavier than the other techs, and the blade guard is wider. This makes for much less nimble shave. The advantage to all this extra metal? Weight - by having so much more weight in the hand this razor shaves in a different manner altogether. The extra heft gives a more effortless shave and coupled with the customary gentleness of a tech, creates a very smooth feeling shave.

The photos don't easily show the solidarity of the fat-handled tech compared with the others - the extra width and thickness (only about 1mm) of the head make a significant difference, and I could easily see this razor working well with a variety of blades that may not suite the other three. That said - this razor has given me one or two very serious nicks, largely due to my own inexperience with a chunkier razor.

There are numerous other types of techs, as well as other Gillette three-piece razors from the same era and I'm by no means an expert. If you're interested in techs that can be very inexpensive. I've bought them as cheaply as 99p on ebay and in shaving sets for under £10.

I would happily recommend a tech to anyone who's looking for a simple DE razor, or a travel razor to stick in a toiletries bag. I can certainly see another few decades of use in even the worst condition in my little collection, making it a worthwhile addition to any rotation.

Chris

*Ok, so maybe it's in height order....
 
Chris,

Great write up on those Gillette Techs.
What a shame that Gillette (now) only offer a few cheap DE razors (the Gillette '7 O'Clock' and 'Click' models for example) to selected markets....Are they really worried that men may realise 'en masse' that there is an alternative to multi bladed monstrosities / pack of 10 disposables?
An admission of guilt - or greed?
 
I've just had a quick look at Gillette cartridge blades on offer...Typically, Gillette Fusion - pack of 4 (5 blade) cartridges, that's £10 to you Sir...

However, 4 cartridges should last 'up to 13 weeks' according to blurb on packaging...Assuming daily shaves, that's a total of 91 shaves...Or 22-23 shaves per cartridge.

I am getting on well with the Trig Silver Edge blades - £9.60 for 200 from Connaught Shaving, postage to add, unless you are spending over £45.

So many guys are being duped into thinking (as I was) that the choices are 'electric, cartridges, or disposables' when it comes to shaving.
Still, we can all do our bit to 'convert' friends, family, work mates...
 
I've just had a quick look at Gillette cartridge blades on offer...Typically, Gillette Fusion - pack of 4 (5 blade) cartridges, that's £10 to you Sir...

However, 4 cartridges should last 'up to 13 weeks' according to blurb on packaging...Assuming daily shaves, that's a total of 91 shaves...Or 22-23 shaves per cartridge.

I am getting on well with the Trig Silver Edge blades - £9.60 for 200 from Connaught Shaving, postage to add, unless you are spending over £45.

So many guys are being duped into thinking (as I was) that the choices are 'electric, cartridges, or disposables' when it comes to shaving.
Still, we can all do our bit to 'convert' friends, family, work mates...
To let others know that there are more choices is great and should they want to try another form of shaving ie DE /SE is fantastic but we must also remember that we all have a free choice as far as what we shave with and must respect the choices of other's. Shave happy :)
 
4052279265_40a5590631.jpg


NOTE: I know Flatfish has posted a Tech review already, but this one covers a few other types of Tech so I've created a new thread


The Gillette Tech describes a variety of razors made over what I understand to be a fair few years. They aren't all exactly the same and have subtle differences that can completely alter a shave. In no particular order I'll be discussing the Travel Tech (USA version), the Ball-Ended Tech (UK), the Aluminium (slim) Handled (UK) and the Fat Handled (also UK)*.

Here's a couple of group shots to show the different types:

4053024530_a9fe181849.jpg


4053024718_37d486ed19.jpg


4053024946_db1762e0f4.jpg


Travel Tech
The mini-handled travel tech is the only USA made tech I own and it does have a few distinct differences from the others (I can't comment on whether these are applicable to UK made travel techs...) which make it unique in my collection. Here's the razor:

4053022222_97e2e7a416.jpg


4052280439_cd56947ff6.jpg


4053023860_dd92c9bc1b.jpg


As you can see the handle is about 2/3 of the size of a standard safety razor which allows it to be packed away in a case roughly the size of a pack of blades. The most noticeable difference is the lack of blade guides on the upper part of the head. The other techs all feature some sort of rail to ensure the head and blade remain aligned, whereas the USA model has 4 posts on the top part and corresponding gaps in the middle of the razor. This makes the blades slightly easier to change and I have never had a problem with blade alignment.

The other difference is head shape - the curve of the top is actually slightly different to the other techs, making the head of the razor a little thicker. This makes it a bit less nimble around fiddly areas such as under the nose, but the added thickness makes it easier for me a get a perfect blade angle every time with this razor.

As with all techs this one isn't aggressive in the slightest - something I find excellent.

Ball-Ended Tech and Aluminium Handled Tech
Both the ball-ended tech and the alu-handled tech have the same head - I assume the difference in handle is based on age and cost at original purchase? Here's the two:

4052279895_b684f8d5fb.jpg
4052279495_fdd4226931.jpg


4052280603_fdd2301417.jpg
4053023428_e5e8e54e49.jpg


4053024096_03a8d44bb3.jpg
4053023632_8a8dc2ea24.jpg


The ball-ended tech has seen a lot more use and abuse (in fact the alu-handled has never been used) which makes it appear lighter in colour - this is just an effect of the photography. Both would have had the same Gillette logo etched into the top (unlike the embossed logo on the travel tech) although in the light of these photos neither really show it off!

Both razors use a rail to align the blade, with the older ball-ended tech having a complete rail and the newer version having rails at each end. The difference is negligable. The thin-ness of the head and the lightness of the razor overall make this tech a very gentle razor in every sense (the travel tech seems to be plated, making it heaver than these two combined!) but that shouldn't put you off. I've always had excellent shaves from this style of tech and I consider them to be ideal razors for anyone starting out, or for those who want a reliable everyday razor.

Fat Handled Tech
The heftiest of bunch is the fat-handled tech - the complete opposite of the travel:

4053022832_7de1b5218b.jpg


4052280071_3e32441fa7.jpg


4053024290_29b51356d2.jpg


This razor is by the largest of the four, not just in handle but also in head. The upper two parts of the razor are thicker and heavier than the other techs, and the blade guard is wider. This makes for much less nimble shave. The advantage to all this extra metal? Weight - by having so much more weight in the hand this razor shaves in a different manner altogether. The extra heft gives a more effortless shave and coupled with the customary gentleness of a tech, creates a very smooth feeling shave.

The photos don't easily show the solidarity of the fat-handled tech compared with the others - the extra width and thickness (only about 1mm) of the head make a significant difference, and I could easily see this razor working well with a variety of blades that may not suite the other three. That said - this razor has given me one or two very serious nicks, largely due to my own inexperience with a chunkier razor.

There are numerous other types of techs, as well as other Gillette three-piece razors from the same era and I'm by no means an expert. If you're interested in techs that can be very inexpensive. I've bought them as cheaply as 99p on ebay and in shaving sets for under £10.

I would happily recommend a tech to anyone who's looking for a simple DE razor, or a travel razor to stick in a toiletries bag. I can certainly see another few decades of use in even the worst condition in my little collection, making it a worthwhile addition to any rotation.

Chris

*Ok, so maybe it's in height order....
A good write up, very interesting. :)
 
I've just had a quick look at Gillette cartridge blades on offer...Typically, Gillette Fusion - pack of 4 (5 blade) cartridges, that's £10 to you Sir...

However, 4 cartridges should last 'up to 13 weeks' according to blurb on packaging...Assuming daily shaves, that's a total of 91 shaves...Or 22-23 shaves per cartridge.

I am getting on well with the Trig Silver Edge blades - £9.60 for 200 from Connaught Shaving, postage to add, unless you are spending over £45.

So many guys are being duped into thinking (as I was) that the choices are 'electric, cartridges, or disposables' when it comes to shaving.
Still, we can all do our bit to 'convert' friends, family, work mates...

Until very recently I was one of those who would trot down to Waitrose to buy another set of 4 Fusion blades for £13-£15 and rather resented the fact they cost so much (but still paid it anyway).

Although there are various reasons why I have started to use DE shaving, cost is definitely one of them. It's not just the blades either, although I just paid £15 for 100 assorted blades (so I can try out various blades; that includes p+p), at around 4 shaves per blade that's over a year's worth of shaving... somewhat longer than £15-worth of Fusion blades ;)

But then there's the shaving foam... buying cans with the aerosols never struck me as particularly environmentally friendly, and at £4 per can, I went through a few of those too. A block of shaving creme is £3.50 and will last me..? Not sure, but longer than a can!

We all choose our 'tools' based on personal preferences, etc. but I certainly agree that traditional shaving has been sidelined by the mainstream and maybe it's time to raise awareness of this form of shaving?
 
Until very recently I was one of those who would trot down to Waitrose to buy another set of 4 Fusion blades for £13-£15 and rather resented the fact they cost so much (but still paid it anyway).

Although there are various reasons why I have started to use DE shaving, cost is definitely one of them. It's not just the blades either, although I just paid £15 for 100 assorted blades (so I can try out various blades; that includes p+p), at around 4 shaves per blade that's over a year's worth of shaving... somewhat longer than £15-worth of Fusion blades ;)

But then there's the shaving foam... buying cans with the aerosols never struck me as particularly environmentally friendly, and at £4 per can, I went through a few of those too. A block of shaving creme is £3.50 and will last me..? Not sure, but longer than a can!

We all choose our 'tools' based on personal preferences, etc. but I certainly agree that traditional shaving has been sidelined by the mainstream and maybe it's time to raise awareness of this form of shaving?
How do you think this can be achieved? Who should be trying to achieve it?
The manufacturers of the cartridge systems don't want to raise awareness because there is too much money in it for them to keep it quiet so that only leaves the manufacturers of the traditional shaving products to raise awareness but I'm guessing they think the market is not big enough to support a advertising campaign and even if they did the cost would be passed on to us who are already using the products!
I quite like it being a little bit of a fringe movement, perhaps we should be spreading the word ourselves but it's not that easy, I've tried. Some people think that it's old fashioned, some think it's a backward step in the evolution of shaving, some people just enjoy using cartridges and canned foam and we have to accept this because everyone has the freedom of choice and no matter what I think about cartridge shaving I do believe we should be free to choose what we shave ourselves with. :) if you can convert people by raising awareness good on you, those of us who can pass this knowledge on to their son's is also great because we need fresh blood to carry the torch of proper shaving into the future after alot of us older shavers are gone.
 
To let others know that there are more choices is great and should they want to try another form of shaving ie DE /SE is fantastic but we must also remember that we all have a free choice as far as what we shave with and must respect the choices of other's. Shave happy :)
Hi Blademonkey,
Yes of course, you are right regarding the choices of others; the problem (as i see it) is that many (most?) people shaving with cartridges / disposables don't even know that DE exists as a viable option - meaning that their choices are limited.

Shavin' happy. ;-)
 
Hi Blademonkey,
Yes of course, you are right regarding the choices of others; the problem (as i see it) is that many (most?) people shaving with cartridges / disposables don't even know that DE exists as a viable option - meaning that their choices are limited.

Shavin' happy. ;-)
Hi Jason, that is quite shocking that most people who use carts or disposables don't even know that DE exists as a viable option, the people ( friends ) I've spoken to about how I shave know that there are other methods but seem to be stuck in their ways and simply just don't want to change, some even think it's really strange that I would want to use a straight razor to shave with when they have disposables " which are far safer and never going to kill them" so what I'm saying is even if you show or tell people about it most just don't want to change and will be happy useing what they are using.
But as an experiment I will put together a beginners kit of a basic DE razor ,soap ,brush, and some blades and give as a Christmas gift to a friend and see if he gets into it and maybe if he does he may spread the word himself.
Ps sorry to the OP for going off thread a little and now back to the
Gillette Tech which is the razor I will be putting in this start up pack, phew, stayed on topic after all!! :)
 
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