Great shave Ken!! You know, I love my newer “boutique “ razors.... but there is just something special about the vintage razors.... the history and stories behind them are cool, and on top of that, they still provide great shaves!! Have a fantastic day my brother and stay safe on your travels.
Hey Justin! How you been? I couldn't agree with you more! I love the history of these functional pieces of history! There's definitely a coolness factor about using something like it and imagining where it's been! Stay safe and healthy, brother!
@@KalShaves hey Ken, I’m hanging in there bud! Yeah, the vintage stuff is cool! New gear is neat:.. but the vintage stuff is extra special. Safe travels my friend!
I'm always blown away with how well my vintage razors shave, especially my Gem-style SEs. Love the ragtime music, historical information, and the little tie-in clips. Good stuff!
Hey Aaron. This was a really fun video to make. The history of wetshaving is something I find fascinating!!! And then to add my own blood to that story!!!
Hey Mike! Thanks for taking the time watch and leave a comment! Matt Pisarcik has been instrumental in bringing wetshaving to the mainstream. Without him and Doug Smythe, I don't think I would have gotten as interested.
I just found your video while looking for info on my vintage (circa 1911) Gillette, made in Canada. Mine doesn’t have a serial number or date code. I was very hesitant at first to use it because of how aggressive it’s supposed to be, but after cautiously trying it, it’s become my favourite over my modern Merkur. I don’t have that rough feeling that you described in the video. I just used it on about 10 day’s worth of growth and it handled it like a charm. I also have sensitive skin and the way my vintage Gillette shaved is a tribute to this old design. Maybe our two models were made slightly differently. I used a platinum coated Feather blade, but I think that skin & beard prep make the biggest difference. A balm afterwards is also a must. I wish that I could learn more about my razor but it’s frustrating with so little to go on wrt markings & features.
Hey! Thank you so much for watching my video! I hope you found it informative and entertaining. From what I understand, Canadian and British Gillettes didn't use the same date code system as the American-made Gillettes did. I'll have a look and see if I can find any info. I found the teeth on this razor had much more feel then a modern open comb. And I think the thinner top plate adds to the rougher feel. I'm really happy you enjoy using yours! Have you tried a Canadian or British flare tip? They are among my favourite vintage razors to use. Wishing you all the best! Kal
@@KalShaves Hi Kal, Your understanding confirmed my suspicions about dates. I had to find a matching image on a dedicated website for the model & era. I haven’t tried other vintage razors, this is my first one. I happened to find it among my late father’s things (he’s been gone a while but it took me some time to open certain things) and was completely surprised - I never knew he had it, just electric razors since my childhood. I have to think that he probably didn’t have the best experiences growing up with shaving and face prep… or the availability of quality affordable products at the time. I’m glad that he didn’t throw it away. From my own experiences, prep is a game changer and shaves are a relaxing ritual when there’s time, usually weekends. The morning commute would undo that if I sacrificed the early drive. It’s a shame that Gillette had different standards for different countries. BTW: mine is all brass, if that makes a difference. I wonder if the teeth had different profiles between US and Canadian models. The way the blade bends because of the bent base could also affect comfort. Yours was the first video that came close to what I have. Thanks.
Hey Christopher. How have you been. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!!!! That old time jazz and ragtime is such fun music!!!!! Quite a departure from my usual heavier choices. This music just feels good & makes you feel good! Big Band & Swing are also really fun genres! I bought an ABC when I was in Florida last year. I might use it in a video soon.
I wonder if it would be worth getting in touch with Matt to see if your razor could be re-plated? You mentioned how aggressive it was and I wondered if back then, three passes was even a thing. Great history and fun to watch. 🥃🥃
Hey. Thanks for watching. I did a quick Google search. It looks like the original Merkur 41C 1904 Open Comb was modeled after the Gillette head that debuted in 1906.
Great shave Ken!! You know, I love my newer “boutique “ razors.... but there is just something special about the vintage razors.... the history and stories behind them are cool, and on top of that, they still provide great shaves!! Have a fantastic day my brother and stay safe on your travels.
Hey Justin! How you been? I couldn't agree with you more! I love the history of these functional pieces of history! There's definitely a coolness factor about using something like it and imagining where it's been!
Stay safe and healthy, brother!
@@KalShaves hey Ken, I’m hanging in there bud! Yeah, the vintage stuff is cool! New gear is neat:.. but the vintage stuff is extra special. Safe travels my friend!
My two oldest Gillettes are my 1938 rhodium plated Gillette Senator and my 1930’s NEW Shirt Comb .
Beautiful razor, good sir! Love all my vintage razors. Appreciate all the history knowledge. Great shave and video!👊
Hey brother! How goes it? This was such a fun video to do. I love the old razors!!!
I'm always blown away with how well my vintage razors shave, especially my Gem-style SEs.
Love the ragtime music, historical information, and the little tie-in clips. Good stuff!
Hey Aaron. This was a really fun video to make. The history of wetshaving is something I find fascinating!!! And then to add my own blood to that story!!!
I can't wait to look for those vintage safety razors when the lockdown is lifted I'm from Malaysia.
Matt taught me as well, it was really fun diving down the vintage Gillette rabbit hole 🕳 🐇
Hey Mike! Thanks for taking the time watch and leave a comment! Matt Pisarcik has been instrumental in bringing wetshaving to the mainstream. Without him and Doug Smythe, I don't think I would have gotten as interested.
I just found your video while looking for info on my vintage (circa 1911) Gillette, made in Canada. Mine doesn’t have a serial number or date code. I was very hesitant at first to use it because of how aggressive it’s supposed to be, but after cautiously trying it, it’s become my favourite over my modern Merkur. I don’t have that rough feeling that you described in the video. I just used it on about 10 day’s worth of growth and it handled it like a charm. I also have sensitive skin and the way my vintage Gillette shaved is a tribute to this old design. Maybe our two models were made slightly differently. I used a platinum coated Feather blade, but I think that skin & beard prep make the biggest difference. A balm afterwards is also a must.
I wish that I could learn more about my razor but it’s frustrating with so little to go on wrt markings & features.
Hey! Thank you so much for watching my video! I hope you found it informative and entertaining.
From what I understand, Canadian and British Gillettes didn't use the same date code system as the American-made Gillettes did. I'll have a look and see if I can find any info.
I found the teeth on this razor had much more feel then a modern open comb. And I think the thinner top plate adds to the rougher feel.
I'm really happy you enjoy using yours! Have you tried a Canadian or British flare tip? They are among my favourite vintage razors to use.
Wishing you all the best!
Kal
@@KalShaves Hi Kal, Your understanding confirmed my suspicions about dates. I had to find a matching image on a dedicated website for the model & era.
I haven’t tried other vintage razors, this is my first one. I happened to find it among my late father’s things (he’s been gone a while but it took me some time to open certain things) and was completely surprised - I never knew he had it, just electric razors since my childhood. I have to think that he probably didn’t have the best experiences growing up with shaving and face prep… or the availability of quality affordable products at the time. I’m glad that he didn’t throw it away. From my own experiences, prep is a game changer and shaves are a relaxing ritual when there’s time, usually weekends. The morning commute would undo that if I sacrificed the early drive.
It’s a shame that Gillette had different standards for different countries. BTW: mine is all brass, if that makes a difference. I wonder if the teeth had different profiles between US and Canadian models. The way the blade bends because of the bent base could also affect comfort. Yours was the first video that came close to what I have. Thanks.
That's a good ole vintage razor brother. I have one of those and the old ABC razors which are even older. I'm digging that jazz you rolled in there:)
Hey Christopher. How have you been. I really appreciate you watching and commenting!!!! That old time jazz and ragtime is such fun music!!!!! Quite a departure from my usual heavier choices. This music just feels good & makes you feel good! Big Band & Swing are also really fun genres!
I bought an ABC when I was in Florida last year. I might use it in a video soon.
I wonder if it would be worth getting in touch with Matt to see if your razor could be re-plated? You mentioned how aggressive it was and I wondered if back then, three passes was even a thing. Great history and fun to watch. 🥃🥃
How goes it Steven? That's a great question!!! Someday I might send it to Matt to see about replating it. I'd like to one from Razor Emporium!!!!!
Nice shave! The old type Gillettes work as charme with a well stropped original blade. Just give it a try.
Hey Lars! The old ones are fun to use, tho I prefer the feel of newer razors. I don't think I've ever tried a vintage blade before.
@@KalShaves Then you missed something 😉
Great razor! Super smooth shave. Cheers and stay safe! 😉
Hey Alex! How goes it? Yeah these old razors are fun to use!
@@KalShaves Great, thanks! I'm still on the lookout to find a vintage razor, to try one out 😉 Have a great day! Cheers!
Hi, this open comb is the same as the merkur 41c?
Thank you.
Hey. Thanks for watching. I did a quick Google search. It looks like the original Merkur 41C 1904 Open Comb was modeled after the Gillette head that debuted in 1906.
that was cool
Thanks for watching!