Thanks for the info on this razor! I discovered I have one in my Cruiser set! It has the narrow tipped barrel, the four cornered cap, the serial number in the base guard, and the flat bottom. It is in very good condition, the slightest crack on the top of the shaft. I will hang onto this one for sure! Thanks again! Jim
Found a New De Luxe Bostonian in mint condition after watching this video, Roo Hoo! Thanks Matt! Now to find a gangsta fedora, and a wife beater t-shirt to shave with.
Mr_Chewbacca 1138 You hit the nail right on the head. My wife always says, how many razors or shaving stuff do you need? 😂 My shave den is slap full, but I always manage to find a place for something else.
Hi Matt- Another great installment on the history of vintage Gillette razors; thank you! As you may have indicated, it would be great to run through the history of Gillette razor blades, as well. We’ll take today’s brief comments on strip blade manufacturing and blade materials as a teaser of what hopefully will be coming our way!! Appreciate these weekly episodes very much! Take care and best regards, Matt!
I don't understand why Gillette's original stainless steel blade failed for want of a necessary coating. My understanding is that there are a lot of blades out there that have no coating at all (e.g. Astra Superior Stainless, Personna Barbers (in the red and black package)). Also refinedshave.com suggests that after about one use any coating on a blade is gone, and subsequent uses are naked steel on face. There's something here I must be missing; can you fill me in? Best wishes
Fascinating history, thanks! I have a small but growing Vintage USA Gillette collection. I have the razors that I use, and my ones on display. I have at least one razor from each era so far. This is the last one I need. I am waiting for a good Common Bar handle razor, so I have a different handle style. Side note, I just got my late 1950’s Old Spice shaving mug in the mail this week. Thanks to your I’d Rather be Shaving episode! Your right, it looks so Cool in my shaving den! Thanks again Matt!👍
I have both. Chromium is a user grade and the Gold is pristine. I only use it on special occasions as it's a special and unique razor. Thanks for a little bit of history.
Good history lesson, Matt! The New DeLuxe is one vintage Gillette that has eluded me. Of course, now your video has probably made my hunt that much harder(and more expensive. ) 😁 Cheers! - Rob
I have three of these! 3 Chrome and one Gold... one of the Chrome razors is Made in Canada... it’s almost the same but the knurling is much more “Grippier” than the Made In USA models... love them all! Would love some of the blades but I guess you can’t have everything! Lol
Hey Matt, great video again. So much stuff to learn, what an interesting history of the Gillette razors! I bought a 1931 Gillette Goodwill razor, the year my father was borne. I was surprised, how tiny the ball handle of this razor is. It almost looks like a doll tool. Will you do a tutorial on the Gillette Goodwill razors as well? Can you confirm the measurements of the ball handle or where can I look it up? Thanks, Matt!
Excellent educational video Matt! Just love this series. I have a 1930 New Deluxe Criterion. The case fell apart but the razor is decent expect for some of the plating is missing the varnish. Still a nice gold color. I think this is a very nice shaving razor (Yeah, it is treasured, but I bought it to use). I wish I had one of those Kroman blades to display with it. Keep up the great videos. Thank you!!!
another great one. wish I had seen this a couple of months ago. I traded someone for some, I now know, deluxe heads I had that I didn't realize what I had. Keep it up!
Congrats Warren Burch - you're the winner of the Weekly T-Shirt give-away! Please contact us at help@razoremporium.com with your address and size and we will get it shipped out right away! Thanks everyone! Stay tuned next week for another giveaway! - Razor Emporium Team
@@rayr5950 I can only go by my experiences with the three-piece razors I have in my collection, but I've noticed that the lack of the two stabilizers means I have to take some more care to ensure that the blade is properly aligned and not crooked. My Merkur 34c HD has the dual stabilizers and I get perfect alignment every time.
Great video, keep them making them. I learn something new with each of your videos. P.S. I'm a retired gentleman with limited disposable income, the Rex Ambassador is on my wish list. I hope it's still available when I save enough money for it.
A really neat and informative video!:) Regarding the Stainless Steel blades and its coating that wasn't quite up to par...didn't Gillette have a testing facility? I'd think they would have gotten a few men to actually test and shave with the blades before they were released to the buying public.
Hi Matt- question for you: I bought a gold plated razor sold as The New Deluxe and it has the flat bottom guard. But instead of the handle in your video it has what appears to be the bar style handle. And the design of the razor is the more standared 3 piece without the stem attached to the guard fitting into the handle like in your video. Is this actually a Deluxe and what year might it be from?
@@RazorEmporium Thanks for your expertise. I thought the flat bottom guard was only on the Deluxe. But as you've pointed out this is a confusing era, and Gillette sometimes mixed and matched parts. So what I've got is a red and black that I overpaid for. Well at least its still a little piece of history and I like the close shave it gives.
Matt enjoyed the video is always looking handsomein the goatee LOL Gillette you know is always been the rockerfeller of the blade world anytime competition got close they would always invent something to eliminate the competition or sue to protect their investments keep up the videos
As I watched this video, a rather well worn NEW DELUXE with just the razor and case sold for $71.49 shipped. That's a lot more than any of my NEW's cost me.
neil dsouza That was the same as the “De Luxe” Traveler set Gillette had sold before that time with the New Improved, but equipped with the New Deluxe razor. It was equipped exactly like my New President set, which sold for $25: imgur.com/gallery/5YG4y8O But it had a difference. Your $75 (over $1k in today’s money) bought you a boatload of custom hand engraving, instead of the pretty machine engraving of this President set. Very few of these sets ever sold, but even fewer after the stock market crash. After 1931 the President and Aristocrat sets disappeared from the Gillette catalog and we never saw such opulence again from them.
@@WazzuCougrrs wow thanks. So it's the name engraving on the set that made it aristocrat. And u guess the knurling was quite deep and ornate. President in pics on Mr razor look like new improved handles design. They were different though but I guess more mass produced.
neil dsouza If it is a New Improved then it was not called the President or the Aristocrat. The sets were identical except for the model of the razor. The New Improved version of the President set was called the Cavalier (same machine engraving, same accessories, same case, same $25 price) and the New Improved version of the $75 Aristocrat set was called the De Luxe. It was likewise exactly the same but for the different model of razor). All of the sets could be hand engraved with your monogram. It was not the letter engraving that set the Aristocrat apart. With the Aristocrat you could choose custom hand engraving of the entire package with the design limited only by your imagination and the prodigious talents of Gillette’s in-house engraver. Each set was one of a kind. People would send Gillette photos of their mansions, or their horses, or some rich pattern that matched their home decor, or their family crest, or you name it, and the set would come back with that pattern deeply carved into the brass razor handle and the underside of the guard, and the photos of mansions or the new owner’s factory or whatever gracefully engraved on the soap and brush canisters and blade boxes. Brass is a soft metal, so surviving examples are rare prizes indeed. You will find more custom engraving surviving from that period on old pistols, because steel is more durable.
@@WazzuCougrrs wow that's cool. I'm sure none of the shaving enthusiastics will pay 1000s $ today if any company like Muhle would do that. They would blast them on forums. But same would spend the same or more money to get the Gillette ones. Not all but a very few.
neil dsouza you could buy the exact same razor, the New De Luxe, for $5. That was an expensive razor but some say it was the best DE razor Gillette ever made, surpassing all of their later TTO designs in solid design, simplicity, quality of materials and delivery of a great shave. You just had to remember not to drop it, because that soft heavy brass would bend a corner on impact, and your $5 razor would get a snaggle tooth.
Thanks for the info on this razor! I discovered I have one in my Cruiser set! It has the narrow tipped barrel, the four cornered cap, the serial number in the base guard, and the flat bottom. It is in very good condition, the slightest crack on the top of the shaft. I will hang onto this one for sure! Thanks again! Jim
I just picked up a NEW De Luxe gold belmont with the bag and shipper box. Cant wait to try that one out.
Found a New De Luxe Bostonian in mint condition after watching this video, Roo Hoo!
Thanks Matt! Now to find a gangsta fedora, and a wife beater t-shirt to shave with.
I would love to own one but have never even seen one live before. Thanks for the great video, Matt. I learned a lot.
If they come out with a Trivial Pursuit - Shave Edition, I’m gonna be so ready! 😂
Only if the game would have a TH-cam joker 😂
Just when I think my collection is getting too big, I find another must have... I'm sure the wife will be thrilled. :)
Mr_Chewbacca 1138 You hit the nail right on the head. My wife always says, how many razors or shaving stuff do you need? 😂 My shave den is slap full, but I always manage to find a place for something else.
Hi Matt- Another great installment on the history of vintage Gillette razors; thank you! As you may have indicated, it would be great to run through the history of Gillette razor blades, as well. We’ll take today’s brief comments on strip blade manufacturing and blade materials as a teaser of what hopefully will be coming our way!! Appreciate these weekly episodes very much! Take care and best regards, Matt!
I have one of those gold ones, inner and outside box covers intact and it also has a cloth bag!
Really like these episodes, keep em coming.
I don't understand why Gillette's original stainless steel blade failed for want of a necessary coating. My understanding is that there are a lot of blades out there that have no coating at all (e.g. Astra Superior Stainless, Personna Barbers (in the red and black package)). Also refinedshave.com suggests that after about one use any coating on a blade is gone, and subsequent uses are naked steel on face. There's something here I must be missing; can you fill me in? Best wishes
Fascinating history, thanks! I have a small but growing Vintage USA Gillette collection. I have the razors that I use, and my ones on display. I have at least one razor from each era so far. This is the last one I need. I am waiting for a good Common Bar handle razor, so I have a different handle style. Side note, I just got my late 1950’s Old Spice shaving mug in the mail this week. Thanks to your I’d Rather be Shaving episode! Your right, it looks so Cool in my shaving den! Thanks again Matt!👍
I have both. Chromium is a user grade and the Gold is pristine. I only use it on special occasions as it's a special and unique razor. Thanks for a little bit of history.
Is the chrome plated New Deluxe the same as the Belmont? It looks very similar.
I just bought one of these and they are great shavers !
Great video. Gillette has a really interesting and at times complicated history of razor types and blades. 👍
Another great history on Vintage Gillette Razors.
Good history lesson, Matt! The New DeLuxe is one vintage Gillette that has eluded me. Of course, now your video has probably made my hunt that much harder(and more expensive. ) 😁
Cheers! - Rob
Always enjoy these videos and learning more about Gillette’s vintage DEs.
I have three of these! 3 Chrome and one Gold... one of the Chrome razors is Made in Canada... it’s almost the same but the knurling is much more “Grippier” than the Made In USA models... love them all! Would love some of the blades but I guess you can’t have everything! Lol
I have a bar handle 1930’s Gillette “NEW” LongComb and I still don’t understand how the “SLIT” stabilizes the blade?
It seems to be lovely metal work/surfaces on those new delux razors
Could you do a segment fully on blades? Which ones belong with which era razor. Production, and competitors?
Hey Matt, great video again. So much stuff to learn, what an interesting history of the Gillette razors!
I bought a 1931 Gillette Goodwill razor, the year my father was borne. I was surprised, how tiny the ball handle of this razor is. It almost looks like a doll tool. Will you do a tutorial on the Gillette Goodwill razors as well? Can you confirm the measurements of the ball handle or where can I look it up? Thanks, Matt!
Excellent educational video Matt! Just love this series. I have a 1930 New Deluxe Criterion. The case fell apart but the razor is decent expect for some of the plating is missing the varnish. Still a nice gold color. I think this is a very nice shaving razor (Yeah, it is treasured, but I bought it to use). I wish I had one of those Kroman blades to display with it. Keep up the great videos. Thank you!!!
Don’t have a New De Luxe yet, just the New standard, but it is one of my favorites 👍🏻💈
another great one. wish I had seen this a couple of months ago. I traded someone for some, I now know, deluxe heads I had that I didn't realize what I had. Keep it up!
Did they make the new deluxe with the old ball end style handle?
No
First time I've heard of this razor. Gillette sure has an interesting history.
Excellent video Matt, love the history and how you present it.
Thanks for another great show Matt.
Congrats Warren Burch - you're the winner of the Weekly T-Shirt give-away! Please contact us at help@razoremporium.com with your address and size and we will get it shipped out right away! Thanks everyone! Stay tuned next week for another giveaway! - Razor Emporium Team
Love the new de luxe
Are there clones of this design still in production?
I’m excited to make the switch from cartridge razors.
Andres Albarran what safety razor did you get?
1 year later.. How many saftey razors are in your collection now? 15? 30?
Christian MacCready Just 1 Cheep Walmart Saftey Razor :/
Hey mate, love your watch... What is it? Kindest regards from Brazil
Seiko
I never understood why Gillette did away with stabilizer pins. It makes ensuring that the blade is properly aligned more difficult.
What do you mean? The blade aligns quite easily in the "NEW".
@@rayr5950 I can only go by my experiences with the three-piece razors I have in my collection, but I've noticed that the lack of the two stabilizers means I have to take some more care to ensure that the blade is properly aligned and not crooked. My Merkur 34c HD has the dual stabilizers and I get perfect alignment every time.
Great video, keep them making them. I learn something new with each of your videos.
P.S. I'm a retired gentleman with limited disposable income, the Rex Ambassador is on my wish list. I hope it's still available when I save enough money for it.
I had never heard of this razor before today. I will be diligently searching yard sales for it!
Maybe out there but I've had 2 bought at estate sales (for less than 5 bucks) in the last 5 years. No boxes or anything though
Another great video Matt. Where can I get one of those books?
Your video made me have to look at my razors. Sure enough I found one as you described but mine is the new in gold but unfortunately not the Deluxe. 😢
Wow, another very interesting video Matt👍 Great series and info, thanks. Enjoy!
What is the name of the reference book that you get this info from and where can I get one ?
Love the archive series you or doing great info
A really neat and informative video!:)
Regarding the Stainless Steel blades and its coating that wasn't quite up to par...didn't Gillette have a testing facility? I'd think they would have gotten a few men to actually test and shave with the blades before they were released to the buying public.
Very cool. Thanks Matt
Hi Matt- question for you: I bought a gold plated razor sold as The New Deluxe and it has the flat bottom guard. But instead of the handle in your video it has what appears to be the bar style handle. And the design of the razor is the more standared 3 piece without the stem attached to the guard fitting into the handle like in your video. Is this actually a Deluxe and what year might it be from?
If it's a short handle it's a New Somerset. If it's long it's a New big boy hybrid. If it's standard 3" it's from a red and black special.
@@RazorEmporium Thanks for your expertise. I thought the flat bottom guard was only on the Deluxe. But as you've pointed out this is a confusing era, and Gillette sometimes mixed and matched parts. So what I've got is a red and black that I overpaid for. Well at least its still a little piece of history and I like the close shave it gives.
Very informative video never heard of the New Deluxe Razor. I will have to look and see if I can find and get myself one.
Picked up one with a metal, gold plated case. Is that not period correct?
I found a Canada made new deluxe belmont. How much do you think it’s worth and how rare is it?
I think you called me :) Belmont's are certainly harder to come by. Condition is the main determination of value and it's really subjective
@@RazorEmporium I did. Thank you for all your help. I’m definitely considering rhodium plating it.
Great with a history lesson :-)💈👍
What is the name of that big book you are pulling references from?
www.razoremporium.com/the-complete-gillette-collectors-handbook-by-phillip-krumholtz-e-book/
@@RazorEmporium sweet! I’ll pick that up
I have a 1930 NEW DeLuxe Norfolk Tuckaway in Chromium, how rare is it??
Love the channel!!
As Always, Bravo!!! A Well Done Video and Very Informative.
What is your take on method shaving Matt?
Great video Matt. I’m wondering what is the book you are referencing from?
www.razoremporium.com/the-complete-gillette-collectors-handbook-by-phillip-krumholtz-e-book/
Very interesting video good information on the history of Gillette look forward to the next video.. thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks Matt
Informative as usual
Love these videos
Great video, Matt!!
Matt enjoyed the video is always looking handsomein the goatee LOL Gillette you know is always been the rockerfeller of the blade world anytime competition got close they would always invent something to eliminate the competition or sue to protect their investments keep up the videos
nice video
That is a good and interesting video, beatyfull razors.
Very cool. I’m betting the value of these razors just went up on eBay ;)
As I watched this video, a rather well worn NEW DELUXE with just the razor and case sold for $71.49 shipped. That's a lot more than any of my NEW's cost me.
---->Shirt
At 7:56 Gillette aristocrat New Deluxe! 75$ razor. What was that? Is it the new deluxe or something different?
neil dsouza That was the same as the “De Luxe” Traveler set Gillette had sold before that time with the New Improved, but equipped with the New Deluxe razor. It was equipped exactly like my New President set, which sold for $25:
imgur.com/gallery/5YG4y8O
But it had a difference. Your $75 (over $1k in today’s money) bought you a boatload of custom hand engraving, instead of the pretty machine engraving of this President set. Very few of these sets ever sold, but even fewer after the stock market crash. After 1931 the President and Aristocrat sets disappeared from the Gillette catalog and we never saw such opulence again from them.
@@WazzuCougrrs wow thanks. So it's the name engraving on the set that made it aristocrat. And u guess the knurling was quite deep and ornate. President in pics on Mr razor look like new improved handles design. They were different though but I guess more mass produced.
neil dsouza If it is a New Improved then it was not called the President or the Aristocrat. The sets were identical except for the model of the razor. The New Improved version of the President set was called the Cavalier (same machine engraving, same accessories, same case, same $25 price) and the New Improved version of the $75 Aristocrat set was called the De Luxe. It was likewise exactly the same but for the different model of razor).
All of the sets could be hand engraved with your monogram.
It was not the letter engraving that set the Aristocrat apart. With the Aristocrat you could choose custom hand engraving of the entire package with the design limited only by your imagination and the prodigious talents of Gillette’s in-house engraver. Each set was one of a kind. People would send Gillette photos of their mansions, or their horses, or some rich pattern that matched their home decor, or their family crest, or you name it, and the set would come back with that pattern deeply carved into the brass razor handle and the underside of the guard, and the photos of mansions or the new owner’s factory or whatever gracefully engraved on the soap and brush canisters and blade boxes. Brass is a soft metal, so surviving examples are rare prizes indeed. You will find more custom engraving surviving from that period on old pistols, because steel is more durable.
@@WazzuCougrrs wow that's cool. I'm sure none of the shaving enthusiastics will pay 1000s $ today if any company like Muhle would do that. They would blast them on forums. But same would spend the same or more money to get the Gillette ones. Not all but a very few.
neil dsouza you could buy the exact same razor, the New De Luxe, for $5. That was an expensive razor but some say it was the best DE razor Gillette ever made, surpassing all of their later TTO designs in solid design, simplicity, quality of materials and delivery of a great shave.
You just had to remember not to drop it, because that soft heavy brass would bend a corner on impact, and your $5 razor would get a snaggle tooth.