Gillette Tech Blade Gaps an introduction video
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2022
- An attempt to explain the various blade Gap options on a vintage Tech. my hope is that this will help the new hobbyists find the gap that may suit them best
the link below will take you to Matt Pisarciks Razor Archive series. Matt's Archive series is amazing, I've actually watched many of them more than once.
If you want to learn about vintage razors his videos are a MUST watch.
• Razor Archive Series: ...
this next Link is to my video where I share how I measure blade gap.
• How to measure the bla...
more pictures can be found on my Instagram. the link below should take you directly to the comparison photos in the video
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Short on time?
7:18 Gap range
9:45 small gap examples
10:18 return to mid gap
10:28 small gap period
12:50 Model 1932 Canadian large gap example
14:04 You don't know for sure unless...
16:17 General Summary
Thanks brother, I pinned this to the top. This was my first video of this type and I should probably use your time table now for chapters. I appreciate this.
Your den appears quite different! Even your style and presentation have undergone a noticeable change. I must say, it is quite impressive and fun to see!
Buckets full of information there, Tobin. Great work. Thank you.
Thanks Lee
Dude bought a shick injector off you last year or even 2 years ago never knew you had a channle....thank you the razor was in great shape
Hey Nathan! I meant to reply to this sooner! Glad you found the channel! I love my Schick Injectors! I just started making content in 2022. Have a great week!
Nerdy to he Nth degree! So I needed to watch it twice! Love it!!
😁🤣🥰🙌 thanks Aaron!!!
Nice vid, Buddy!!
Nice to have the nerdy stuff explained in a laid back fashion with actual razors shown!
Have a great week!!
#WAD
Thanks Sig! This razor is full of history!
@@Tobins_throwbacks And as you know; I love it--- And collect!!
I don't know about anyone else but I love Tobin's Razor History Channel. Great info, thank you. I have and use the same style feeler gauge but mine is at least 50 years old, it was my grandfather's and the numbers are getting hard to read but I'll never get rid of it.
Thanks Scott! Coming from you I take that as a huge compliment! Have a great one!
I'm new to collecting Gillette razors, and I really enjoyed your video. I've gone a little wild and have 15-20 Techs spanning most of their history. I think they shave really nicely. Now, I feel like I need to go back and check the gaps on the whole lot of them. Thanks for all the time you've invested and the willingness to drop knowledge 👋 I've got almost 50 Super Speeds (or Ranger Techs) also with my oldest being a 1940 Milord. Now I need to check your channel to see if you have a history video on that style.
Thanks Mitch! Just started doing these, I have several more planned. I'd love to see your collection! Are you on Instagram?
Excellent video, the prewar thing makes sense. When we dropped the second bomb on Nagasaki the war was unofficially over. Well done Tobin! I learned a lot!
Tobin! Ftw! Thank you!
Excellent video, Tobin! I love your educational videos brother! Keep them coming! 👍👍
Thanks Andy!
Techs are amazing and so much history there. Great video brother.
Thank you! And yeah! It's crazy how many where made and made all over the world
Right on brother I love the history thank you for that The Gillette Tech is one of my favorite razers to use🤘
Your welcome! Thanks for watching and for your support, I genuinely appreciate it. I love the tech!
This is Awesome Toby, still watching but I hope you do more videos like this!
Thanks Tad!
Excellent introduction, thank you! This helps alot!
Had to watch this twice thanks Toby!
Oh no sir, thank you!
Tjeeeez, what a master you are !
You're definately in my top 5 watch list
😊 thanks bro. Not sure about master but I'll take a compliment when and where I can get it 😉 have a good one!
This was a big help! Thanks Tobin!
Super Helpful! Only a few minutes into it and I've already learned a few things
Great video, Tobin. I, too have an obssession with double edge safety razors old and new. They're awesome razors and they're great in general. Now I will admit I do collect pictures of them on my computer the best way I enjoy them personally but hey we all have our own ways of being happy with stuff. I am now starting on writing information and in depth guides and reviews for them.
Thank you!
That's awesome! I'd totally enjoy reading your reviews and getting your perspective on them!
@@Tobins_throwbacks Yup. I'll send them to you if you have an email
@@jonathan19947 awesome I'll keep an eye out for them thank you
@@Tobins_throwbacks is it weird I like to collect the razors in picture way?
Thanks for the info, Tobin. Didn’t know about the gap measurements, or that they changed it in 66’. I put my 39-45 Fat Handle cap and guard on my 53’ Tech handle. Smoothest shave in a long time. I guess it’s about the weight and gap. Now I want that Dylan Beck razor.
Thanks Tom! I love the way these Techs shave, and sometimes I still can't believe how well they hold up after all these years. Have a great week!
I had to re-watch this!
Really great and informative video!
Thanks Fred!!
Howdy brother, thank you very much for the informations on my favorite razors. I really enjoyed and appreciated sharing your knowledge with us.
Have a good one and stay safe 💈🪒😎
Awesome! Glad it's useful! I love em too!
Super helpful thank you sir love that shirt by the way
Class is in session and I just got a schooling! Excellent work sir!!!
🤣😁🙌
Like the info videos too. Relatively new to the hobby so it’s learning for me.
Good to hear! So be honest, was it easy to follow? Anything I could do differently? I have more videos of the sort in mind. Thanks David!
@@Tobins_throwbacks I think you did fine. Was very informative and I like those type of videos cause I’ve only been in this hobby for a couple years. Plus you include history which is great 👍.
Well done sir!
good stuff, razor history is always interesting. I'm from Ohio and I think I got to see the Indians play once
Thanks! Sadly I've only seen the Tribe play once in person, up in Seattle.
I've watched parts of this video many times because I just am amazed at the shave I get with the Gillette Tech razors. I have a Ball End, Fat Handle, and I just bought one made in England (NOS according to the Etsy guy I bought it from). Used it last night and it performed perfectly just like my other Techs.
Awesome! It means a LOT to know that people find this kind of content useful! Thank you! I absolutely LOVE Techs! Since making this video I picked up a Psycho Tech NOS from Razor Emporium. I've only used it a couple times but it shaves like a dream and I am still thrilled to have it in the collection. Thanks again and have a good one!
my gramp's gave me his 1st razor he bought in the 1920's to me in the 70's when i started shaving as a young man, i still use it 2day, this razor is almost 100 years old, man that's saying a lot on the quality of the Gillette, but, you have one of the finest collections i ever saw
Thanks, brother! I often wonder of all the things that are made today, how many of them will Still be in use in the year 2120. I imagine many a 1920-50s Gillette's will still be. Have a great weekend!
@@Tobins_throwbacksreal men use real razors, alot can be said by what's in his shaving bag, I ran across your video by chance and now subscribed, if you sell them yourself where do I find your website??
This was very interesting.
Thanks Patrick. I get a lot of questions from people on my eBay store, and this topic is one of the most common.
Great job, Tobin. Appreciate all the effort you put into this…Very helpful!
Awesome! I happy it helped! And thank you for letting me know that you found it useful! I have a couple similar ones in the works. Thanks Mark!
Thanks for the data . . . needed data when one is shopping for plates on another razor, looking to select an aggression level relative to a known Tech. For half a day, I was bewildered by your low numbers . . . until I realized your figures are in inches instead of millimeters. The .025 inch gap equates to about .64mm, for example.
My favorite Tech to date is a ball-end with a slender, black, metal handle, brass cap (no outside logo), oval slots, no date code, and "REG U.S. PAT OFF". Is that contract, circa 1946-1947? The thin business end makes it very maneuverable.
Awesome! Glad to hear it was useful. 46 to 47 sounds correct off-hand. You are correct inches. Have you ever checked out Mr. Razor? It's a great visual reference guide. They of course don't have everything listed but they have a lot
I want a Ranger Tech so bad!
Well done sir! 👏
Thanks Chuck!
Best tech I have ever tried is the WW2 black aluminum head with a Bakelite handle. So smooth and efficient.
🙌 I love mine too, I really like the balance ,how it's head heavy
@@Tobins_throwbacks yes!!! It really seems to guide itself. I also just got a 1956 tech and it’s almost as good. Key word ALMOST. lol. I was lucky enough to get the WW2 blades on the camouflaged wrapper as well. It really makes the set look nice in the display case
@@charlespreiss3426 nice! I bet they do! The Camo blades are EPIC!🙌
I'm pretty sure that black ball end Tech at 6:58 was contracted to the military. I used to have a pristine one in a hard black bakelite case and with the paper box. I ended up gifting it to a buddy that was a big WW2 collector.
(My understanding)
Kinda, in the next comment, I'll add a link to the one that was issued by Uncle Sam.
The one I have in this video is the one that was for Sale to civilians during the war, and that is why we have more of them available today. Because lots of people bought them to support the War Effort and to be Patriotic. And that one is called (by us today) the WWII Tech Set, (Gillette never called it that).
The ones I held up Gillette called the Contract Tech, that black and blue one, and the gold one. Were called that because of Rotbart.
The Tech originated at the time of the Rotbart acquisition. It was a Rotbart design originally.
To my knowledge and understanding the military never received the bakelite cases. It would only add to the weight of shipping and be an added weight for the soldiers. My understanding is, that the US Soldiers only received a cardboard box.
It's all super confusing and convoluted and that is a direct result of the poor records that Gillette kept at the time.
Have you ever checked out Mr. Razor? It's not a complete source nor should it ever be considered the definitive answer, but it is a good resource to aid in this.
For me, the best resource is Matt Pisarsick at razor Emporium.
And Matt is always happy to answer questions. He has been a huge help for me.
Hope this helps. Have a good one!
mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Tech/1939-1945%20WWII%20Tech.JPG
mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Tech/Tech.htm
It gets even more confusing because there was more than one, and then there were other countries that Gillette "contracted " with.
Toujours très instructif merci ☺️👍💈🇫🇷
Thank you!🙌🙌
The Gillette Techs with the ball end and the Fat handle, "Medium leaning to the left" - Yes I would say so too. To you and me both, they are not mild in aggression, but are about medium or near to medium. A rethink - I should clarify, my reference here is based on usage experience with a "Fat Handle" Tech; post ww2? I do not know but I believe so.
Good job, so you said something about the ranger tech. Do you plan on a video for it similar to this?
Yes sir I do, hope to have it done this weekend
Thank you!!!
You're welcome! Thank you!
This was an excellent video! You have great knowledge of Gillette razor history. I have a few 1947 to 1950 Ball-End Techs. So, they should have the.020 blade gap if they were not switched around with other years, right? Is the .020 gap milder than the .025 gap? Does that mean it is harder to get nicked by a .020 gap than it is with a .025 or .030 gap? I really enjoy the Tech. I get great shaves with it, and I especially love the handle and head size because it makes it easier to manuever.
I have messaged you on eBay before, and you have helped me out with answering any questions I had. I am still trying to find a SE GEM razor blade case in nickle plated that has the flared edges. I showed you a photo of a similiar one I have in gold, but I want a nickle plated one. You told me you did not have one at that moment.
From the way you pause to swallow and take deep breaths, it means you were nervous when recording this video. You will become a natural in no time. Everyone was nervous if you go look at their first videos.
It is great to see the face of Tobins Throwbacks!
Hey! Glad you found me!! You are correct about the Tech. I'll take a look again for that case, I've picked up a couple the past year or so. I was definitely a bit nervous with this one. I started doing these videos earlier this year and I feel like just now at the end of December I'm starting to get comfortable. Happy New Year! Oh, also if you do Instagram I have a shave page there too. Tobins_throwbacks with the underscore
Yay missouri! Uss or otherwise
Missouri has been on my radar for years! Ever since 2001 I've wanted to move there!
@@Tobins_throwbacks most free state in the union. Depending where you go it's very pretty. I live in se missouri , if I go west I'm in the ozark hills east its mostly flat to the Mississippi, except for Crowley ridge. South towards Arkansas there's sand hills. I prefer the Ozarks. I collect a few old razors, I think I'm up to 120ish. Shave with all of them. Have several duplicates though. ( I have 15 fatboys)....where are you located?
@@Rumpleskin Oregon, right by Eugene
Weren't the "perri-war" (as you call them) fat handle techs made from 1938/39-41 before they went to the bakelite handles from 1941-45 due to nickel being used for the war effort?
I know the range for the triangle guards was 1938/39-1945, but I swear I've read a couple of places that the "perri-war" techs were made from 1938/39 to 1941, which by US terms would be pre-war. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I've got two of them that belonged to both grandpa's, they're great razors.
Long live Chief Wahoo and the Cleveland Indians.
Morning! You are correct. But a lot of people group those two razors. So basically, for the masses, anything with a triangle falls into the same category. Simply calling them WWII Techs. And by unknowingly grouping them they make it more confusing. I need to do a follow-up video for this one. I can't believe a year has flown by! And man, that's extremely cool that you have two from your grandfather's. Have a great weekend! Hope this helps!
Makes sense to me, but I have never tried a Tech
Thank you.
You're welcome and thank you!!
Nice video, do you know what the gold 46 contract tech is made of? I’ve been having a hard time finding info on it, assuming it’s brass?
Thank you, off-hand I recall that it is Brass. I'll double-check, but that sounds correct. Almost everything Gillette did was Brass until we got into the 50s when we got the blue tip with its aluminum handle.
@@Tobins_throwbacks sounds good thank you!
Great video. I bought the Canadian version about six months ago. It’s my daily shave. I have many other razors but you just can’t cut yourself with the tech. It’s so forgiving.
Right?!? I love em too! So glad I finally got a Canadian! I find myself pulled to that one too. Partially because it was a gift, but mostly because it's an amazing shaver! Thanks Eric!
Dillon Beck razor is interesting. Does/Did PAA make a razor with a .040 blade gap? Thanks!
Hey Sorry for late reply, yeah PAA has had a with giant gaps.
Have a good one!
It seems rather odd that Gillette would return to the 25 gap in 66 when they had just changed the base plate in 64. It is also odd that Gillette would maintain different gaps between the ball end and travel examples leading up to 66. Can you confirm that the 64-65 techs were produced with the smaller 20 gap? Thanks for your time and content.
Morning, the short of it, I was keeping the video short and sweet. However, the long of it. Gillette made the change in 1964 for razors made in the USA. Gillette had eight different production facilities at the time two of which were in the United States six of which were outside of the United States and to my knowledge those changes were never made at the other six, very few travel razors were made in the United States, they were all made abroad due to the cheap manufacturing costs of the cases. Goes back to what I said in the beginning of the video, it is a very convoluted subject and I was trying to keep it simple for new wet shavers. Many people think that there is one simple answer for all of this but the truth of it is there isn't a simple answer Gillette was all over the place until Procter & Gamble purchased it and brought stability to the company when it comes to streamlining production. That's one of the reasons why I brought up Jack Gaisman and him firing the executives throughout the entire globe, while he did bring some successes to the company he also brought with it turmoil and strife. Hope this helps, in 2022 we live in a simplistic world, prior to the 1980s production of goods was anything but simple.
@@Tobins_throwbacks damn, very well explained. Gillette was a hot mess in the late 50s through the 70s
@@Tobins_throwbacks Thank you for the very insightful reply! I'm curious, have you ever looked into the time periods associated with the differing "Gillette" font castings?/etchings atop the tech series top caps? I count at least 4 variations including a blank - equal parts nerdy and interesting, admittedly.
Hi, so as a rule of thumb what should i be looking at when searching for a .030 gap? Thanks!
The best bet is the Canadian fat handle 👍👍more common than some of the others
@@Tobins_throwbacks thank you. Cheers
Hi I just found your channel. I have a 46-50 gold tech heavy with original box. Been shaving with it for 2 or 3 years with success. I have always used and liked modern Derby and Feather blades. I also used to use Astra blades but Derby and Feather seem to work better. But of course I have to be more careful with the Feathers. But Derby blades are my go to blade. But my question is about how tight to tighten the handle. You mention in your video to tighten it and then loosen it a bit. Could you explain this a little bit. Because I have always just tightened the hell out of it. Will this improve the performance? I’ve never measured the gap but you said thicker NOS originals were what it was designed to be used with but I imagine NOS thick blue blades would cost a pretty penny and I abandoned the expensive Mach 3 Turbo years ago for this old school razor because it was something my grandfather might have shaved with and because it is a fraction of the cost of a modern cartridge razor. Will an old thick blade vs a modern thin blade make a difference? The Derby’s work great but I’m wondering the difference to a vintage thicker blade. Also is there a modern thick blade equivalent? Thanks for your video.
Glad you found it 🙌 I would recommend sticking with the Derby. Just be careful of overtightening. I like to make my snug and then loosen it about a 1/8 of a turn.
I'll see if I can send you a link with a good example. Are you on Instagram? We can also dm back and forth that way. My username is Tobins Throwbacks on there too. Let me see what I can find so that you have a visual reference. 👍👍
I just realized that’s 4 questions.
Thick blade equivalent not really, I really like Voskhod and Rapira. They are slightly thicker than Derby
instagram.com/tobins_throwbacks?igshid=ZDdkNTZiNTM=
th-cam.com/play/PLwnQN8l5WQRim6-Ko1SbLwIcPK_MT3KSu.html&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
I have a Tech with plastic handle and plastic base plate which is milder than my Tech made in England. Do all made in England have a 0.025 gap?
Good morning, that's a great question. The short easy answer would be no they are not all the same. However, if you want to send me some photos of the razor, all three pieces via email or Instagram I'd be happy to dig into it tonight when I get home from work. Have a good one 👍
Howdy Toby and a Famdamily!
Tech 101 is my favortist subject! 👨🏻🎓
“They say the heart of rock and roll is still beating…
And from what I've seen I believe 'em
Now the old boy may be barely breathing, but the heart of rock and roll, heart of rock and roll is still beating… In Cleveland!” Wahoo! 🎶
👊🏼🤠
DC, San Antone, and the Liberty town. Boston and Baton Rouge, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Seattle, Eugene, amd San Francisco too..🙌 I added Eugene. It's in my version (in my head)Detroit!
I played the cassette of this song for hours!!
@@Tobins_throwbacks Never gets old!!! 🪨 & 🍞🤘🏼
Hello, I have an England model like the one shown here at 18:21, but it’s a little bit different. There is the “Made in England” mark, but there is no code on the back of the guard plate and the holes are not triangular. Also, the back of the head has only the pin in the center; there are no horizontal guides for the blade as shown in your image. I’m also not sure about the handle: could it be iron/steel? would you help me understand in what period it was produced? Many thanks.
Is it possible to send me a picture or two? My link tree is in the bio. Likely not Iron or steel.
instagram.com/tobins_throwbacks?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
@@Tobins_throwbacks hello Boss! can you tell me the model shown here 14:19? it's possible in your opinion to find this razor? I'd love to have one. I found a gillette gold-tech with the plastic handle but in my opinion the one shown at 14:19 is far superior as piece of ww2 history. Opinions? many tks apreciate your work peace
@@metalsir7060 the red one is from Dylan Beck. WW2 So cool! Not a bad shaver either
@@metalsir7060 and yeah, a Huge Piece of WW2 history
I just noticed that you have forgot to mention the " Made in Brazil Gillette razors "
D'oh! I want to redo this video. It was early in my TH-cam journey. Thanks George!
Is the blade gap on the Flat Bottoms 0.030?
Like on a hybrid? Send me a pic on Instagram?
Is there anyway I can get your email. I'm not on any social media, other than TH-cam. I have an old bakelite 7oclock from England. It's green with a metal top cap. I believe it from 1932. I've sent pics to Matt and Doug and they don't know anything about it. I've looked in the compendium only to see a picture but little information. I'm hoping you can help.
But, if Matt and Doug can't help.. I likely can't either. Doug and Matt together have taught me probably 80% of what I know. But I'm happy to give it a shot
What blade gap is the 'Hybrid Tech' and why is it so expensive?
I'm not sure about the blade gap, but the reason why is so expensive, is because it's somewhat rare, although not super rare like some folks claim. It's also the only rhodium plated Tech model and it comes with a leather case, which indicates that it was a premium/high end model. In terms of shaving, I don't find it that special at all, but then again, I don't like Tech razors. Others however, find the Hybrid to be a much better shaver than any other Tech.
What I've learned from the shaving forums is that the super rare and expensive vintage and modern razors tend to have some fanatical followers, who find such razors to be much better than anything else, which is why I no longer follow shaving forums and shaving groups. Most of them have turned into a bragging competition where the guys with $1000 + razors try to convince everyone else that the super rare and expensive razors shave like nothing else.
Sorry brother, I missed this comment some how.
The blade gap is .030 but the blade "clamping" and baseplate design are unique, and assist with the overall shave experience.
Great answer brother! I missed his comment somehow but I was just notified of yours so think you want a couple of levels 🙏👍👍 have a good one!
And what is your eBay seller name? I’m an eBay fanatic. Curious about your eBay store you mentioned. I looked at big Gillette eBay sellers in Ohio because of your Indians hat but couldn’t find any.
I'm in Oregon, I don't have any razors listed at the moment but I do have a bunch on hand. Glad you found it 🙌
@@Tobins_throwbacks I’m in Ukiah, CA about 2 hours north of SF on 101. Mendocino County.
@Fungdart awesome! I love that Bay Area and Northern California. I live near Eugene. Have you seen any of my outdoor shave videos?
My wife lived in Bend for years and my Mom was born in Pendleton and grew up in Clatskanie and her parents grew up in Echo and in Enterprise.
We are looking to get the hell out of California though. We can’t take this liberalism anymore. I noticed a picture of Reagan on your wall. We think alike for sure.
I found your eBay store
Well, you held up a feeler gage but you failed to show us what measurement the blade gap is.
hey Stan, that was covered in a earlier video. I'll attach the link in the next comment
th-cam.com/video/LhV0vJmzNbQ/w-d-xo.html
if you need any further help let me know, also feel free to dm me pictures/videos on Instagram
Thanks, I checked my gillette slim adjustable and it went from .015 to .040. both my '60s travel at .025. '63 flare tip, '53 tech, '46-'50 tech at .020
Thanks again
back and forth.......now I am more confused......structure in the video is absent........
Hi how so? The video is about blade Gap and blade Gap only. I thought I did a great job of structuring the video. Care to lend a hand as to how I can structure future videos better?