Tell me a bit about the Aristocrat

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Drroly

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I've noted that the Gillette Aristocrat seems to be revered amongst collectors, even more than the Fatboy. They are very nice looking razors, but I'm interested to know what makes them so special. I've googled it but can't find that much information.
 
I've got three UK Aristocrats and they are all beautiful. I don't know if these were 'high end' Gillette razors but they feel really well made and expensive. Quite a few were Rhodium plated and it makes them really shiny which gets my 'magpie gene' going!

Just need to find someone to fix my #15 and all will be well!
 
i now have 5 Rhodium UK Aristocrats, and they are without a doubt the nicest of the razors i own (vintage and modern) including the Ikons, Bobs Razor Works, Feather AS etc etc

On a shaving note well i have razors thet perform better and razors that perform worse, but purely aesthetically they cannot be beaten !!
 
milogciachez said:
The most beautiful razor that I have is an Aristocrat # 16, made in England, is beautiful, the design of the handle with the barberpole in my opinion is much nicer than the design of handles made ​​in USA
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Hi there,

Yeah, those #16 models really are a nice looking razor. The way that one feels in my hand is pretty darn good and it performs quite well also.

There IS one US made Aristo tha rivals the #16 in looks. That would be the 1934 type which I believe may have only been offered in gold plate. Shaves totally differently than the #16 does, as you might imagine. Yeah, you can see the 1934 is an open comb variety.
Martin

Here's a pic of the 1934 type Aristocrat. Pretty little thing that weighs only about 67g or so.
 

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I like my '34 too Martin, assuming you mean the English Aristocrat's other than being rhodium plated they're not that special to me as shavers at least.

The same heads are actually available on other less revered razors which I personally prefer especially the thiner handled versions of the aristocrat junior, poplar and the knurl pattern of the #58, that's just me though.
 
I once found an Aristocrat De Luxe (Gold Aristocrat #66) in a barber's window along with a Wilkinson Sword safety razor (known as the 'Sticky') and gave him £20 for the pair.

An Aristocrat De Luxe in mint condition, with box would set you back in the region of £200 - £300.

Mine was NOT mint, and wasn't even a particularly good shaver. Flogged it for £10, I think. Might have even given it away. Threw the case in the bin.

Have owned others, such as a regular #66, #58 and a few versions of the HD Rocket but haven't kept them for long.

Great as collectors' items as a slice of shaving history. Do a fair to average job of removing whiskers though.
 
antdad said:
I like my '34 too Martin, assuming you mean the English Aristocrat's other than being rhodium plated they're not that special to me as shavers at least.

The same heads are actually available on other less revered razors which I personally prefer especially the thiner handled versions of the aristocrat junior, poplar and the knurl pattern of the #58, that's just me though.
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What's doin Tony,

I probably shoulda mentioned the #16 is the only UK made Aristo I've tried. From what I understand it's got a heavier baseplate than most others, which most likely contributes to it's 80g weight.

I know Slimbo's tried a #66 and maybe a #58 also and neither of those grabeed him all that much. There's a #16 on it's way to him, so maybe he'll be able to comment better on that particular model and any differences it may have from those other two models. Whewwww, long sentence.

I like the extra weight that the #16 carries....might make it a little more aggressive than what might be usual for that type of razor, but I can't say for sure. Have you tried the #16 and noticed any difference?

One thing I really like about that 1934 type is how mild it is for an OC type. Yeah, I even use one in my rotation.

Martin
 
Hate to agree, seeing I live in the US but I don't find the design of our aristocrats very appealing. I also find in most cases their plating is lacking. I have a few, but only use the 'shavers' for not wanting to wear the plating off the one 'nice' one that I have. Find that the case with our gold tone milords ' too.
 
That base plate is the same as most other flat plate's Martin, I have a #21 which is lighter overall (73g) but the head is the same as the #16 as well as the AJ, the #16 having a solid rather than hollow handle compared to the #21.
 
antdad said:
That base plate is the same as most other flat plate's Martin, I have a #21 which is lighter overall (73g) but the head is the same as the #16 as well as the AJ, the #16 having a solid rather than hollow handle compared to the #21.
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Thanks for that info.
 
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