hi john here got a 1953 gillette aristocrat with 10 gillette blue blades never used with the price tag was 3 dollars seventy nine cents back in 1953 a true gem
You old guys had all the cool shit. Muscle cars, Led Zeppelin, and badass razors that you could pick up off the shelf. Meanwhile, my generation gets 4 cylinder and electric Mustangs, gangster rap, and coronavirus. Thankfully I can live the time period vicariously though my grandfather's razor collection. I love these videos and I really appreciate them!
Matt is definitely right about the Valet Auto Strop razors. They are one of the coolest razors I’ve ever owned. I bought their VB 2 model a few years ago. While I have a hard time keeping the correct angle, it’s one of my favorites in the collection.
Just saw this video. I have that exact razor and case with the exception of the tag and instructions. I happened upon it in an antique mall and snatched it up for $30. It is in great shape with none of the flaws you mentioned. I’ve used it in a number of occasions always making sure to clean and dry it throughly. Great video. I didn’t not realize it was the first TTO razor. So cool to learn more about it!
Great, very educative video. I really appreciate your Gillette vintage razor tutorials series. The TTO Aristocrat razor is beautiful and the set you own is awesome. Keep on taking us on a tour through Gillette’s rich history. I own a few vintage Gillette razors also from the 30s and 40s, but need to add the Aristocrat TTO to it.
Nice video, folks. Very interesting. I had never really considered the connection between the other mechanical razors on the market and the switch to butterfly doors. Seems pretty common sense, now I think on it. Pair that with Gillette’s focus on the blade game, and it’s a no brainer.
I got an Gillette with butterfly opening from the 60’s. But it’s got an white plastic handle. Came with a gift set box from England. Matt told me via mail :) Also have a fat boy from 59.
Gillette makes good razors but you also have to remember that GEM had their Twist to open razors 3 to 4 years earlier(1930) with the Micromatic open comb and Gillette was scrambling to match Gem razor advance in TTO technology and Gem sold Millions of Micromatics. I have both types of Razors and at the moment Gem gives me great shaves, I will not be selling my Gillette razors either. Excellent video!
I've got one recently from my grandfather passing and I'm torn if I want to re do the gold plating or not. Plating is probably 85 percent. No interest in reselling but fresh gold would look sweet. I use it regularly.
Hi there Matt! I have a fairly nice collection vintage Gillette razors. After watching this video I was inspired to seek out this razor actively since I was really not having much luck finding one at a reasonable price on eBay or Etsy. As luck would have it a gentleman on eBay offered one for a very reasonable price, so I jumped on it. It is in remarkably good mechanical condition but probably would be a candidate for a Razor Revamp in the future... For now I just want to enjoy the great shaves I am getting out of it before I consider sending it out to you. Your videos are awesome, keep up the great work, and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Take care! Rob
Hey Matt, as usual, love all of your videos. Been collecting for 25 years but as you know, this stuff has gone up so much. I use to be pretty spot on when it came to pricing. I’m looking at one of these now with the case and blade bank. In great shape for $283. Does that seem about right? Thanks for any help.
I have a tangential question. I noticed on Razor Emporium's webpage that the "last," Gillette razor named Aristocrat was just a gold tone Slim Adjustable. I have a gold tone 1970 long handle Black Beauty adjustable (which, coincidentally is virtually mint, and, frankly, beautiful). Did Gillette market this back in the day as an Aristocrat also? Anyway, thanks for the videos, and I look forward to the ones on my beloved Super Speeds.
Hi there since the folk at Razor Emporium seem to know more about this I wanted to ask if you can post any information on the Silver/Golden Star Razors! These razors seem pretty darn good and are easy to get for affordable prices and it seems a lot of the history of the em are murky or I don’t hear enough about them
@@RazorEmporium I hadn’t either apparently! They share names with the Silver Platinum razors and that made me actually wonder whether or not they are related/from the same company. They apparently were made from 1946-1959 Silver star. Model 100 is the one I see all the time
Hello I was very happy when I found mine it is by far the pride of my collection but you stated 34 to 37 how do you identify the year? Mine is in a black leather case, from what I researched I thought the no end plates was for the 1st year of production in 34?
There are no date codes for the tto open combs. The head profiles are the only way to identify the possible years. The 1st version i.e 1934 crat has the slimmest head. The next version has a slightly bigger head. The third one has the superspeed head with the comb. You could check out forums there are articles in which people have taken pics of multiple heads. The case has nothing to do with the year. Matt was wrong in a few things. Aristocrat originally came in the leather box. Then they released the deluxe model the gold plated box during Christmas or easter and then continued producing both the cases at different prices till early 40s. Maybe 43 or 41.
Matt, you said in the video the Aristocrat was Gillette's first attempt at a TTO razor, not their best attempt. What was, in your opinion, their best attempt? If I wanted to own one Gillette TTO representing their best effort, what should I look for?
Understood. I don't have EVERY razor model - this series is to teach people the history. It's better to hold a 36 than hold nothing and just talk.... :)
@@RazorEmporium matt you do a good job. Explaining everything on the video is difficult. The 30s open comb tto razors had changes in a very short span from 1934 till 1942 I guess. Even people on badgerandblade took a long time to figure out more about these razors. Everyone had different head profiles. Some were mild. Some were aggressive. I have done a lot of research on these. I only have the 34 aristocrat. I want to purchase a late 30s aristocrat made in US. I have a 1938 British aristocrat razor.
hi john here got a 1953 gillette aristocrat with 10 gillette blue blades never used with the price tag was 3 dollars seventy nine cents back in 1953 a true gem
I recently acquired an Aristocrat with the gold box and the blade bank at an estate sale. It shows signs of age and wear but shaves really well.
Don't have that one but I love my 1948-50 Aristocrat.
You old guys had all the cool shit. Muscle cars, Led Zeppelin, and badass razors that you could pick up off the shelf.
Meanwhile, my generation gets 4 cylinder and electric Mustangs, gangster rap, and coronavirus.
Thankfully I can live the time period vicariously though my grandfather's razor collection. I love these videos and I really appreciate them!
So, you don't adapt with the times is what you're saying? Led Zeppelin 👍🏻 and rap is cool though.
@@1882dmac That's not what I said at all 2 years ago 😅
I have one of these razors, it was an ugly duckling when I bought it. Razor Emporium actually replated it and it's one of my treasures...
I have an Aristocrat in a leather box, I think it shaves quite nicely. Nice bit of history on the razor. Thank you Matt
Matt is definitely right about the Valet Auto Strop razors. They are one of the coolest razors I’ve ever owned. I bought their VB 2 model a few years ago. While I have a hard time keeping the correct angle, it’s one of my favorites in the collection.
The new format on your website is awesome.
thank you!
Excellent video! I am just fascinated by the history of the safety razor and evolution of Gillette in America. Thanks again!
Great Video, Matt. I hope you keep this series going for a long time. I've learned so much a bout razors and their origins watching them.
Just saw this video. I have that exact razor and case with the exception of the tag and instructions. I happened upon it in an antique mall and snatched it up for $30. It is in great shape with none of the flaws you mentioned. I’ve used it in a number of occasions always making sure to clean and dry it throughly.
Great video. I didn’t not realize it was the first TTO razor. So cool to learn more about it!
Thanks, it's always neat to see those old Gillette razors!
Great, very educative video. I really appreciate your Gillette vintage razor tutorials series. The TTO Aristocrat razor is beautiful and the set you own is awesome. Keep on taking us on a tour through Gillette’s rich history. I own a few vintage Gillette razors also from the 30s and 40s, but need to add the Aristocrat TTO to it.
Thanks, Matt. I always look forward to these videos and learn something from each one. See ya next time!
I own a British tto aristocrat. Nice video as always Mat.
Love this series of videos. Always great to learn about the toys we use and collect.
Beautiful razor. Glad it is “In a museum 😊”! Thanks, Zac
good show matt!
one of your best.
Funny I came across this video when I just bought one of these and I'm getting it tomorrow. So happy!
Awesome series, keep em coming! Thanks Matt.
Hi Matt- Very nice, informative video; thanks as always! I hope you have a great weekend ahead and all the best!
Nice video, folks. Very interesting. I had never really considered the connection between the other mechanical razors on the market and the switch to butterfly doors. Seems pretty common sense, now I think on it. Pair that with Gillette’s focus on the blade game, and it’s a no brainer.
I got an Gillette with butterfly opening from the 60’s. But it’s got an white plastic handle.
Came with a gift set box from England.
Matt told me via mail :)
Also have a fat boy from 59.
Gillette makes good razors but you also have to remember that GEM had their Twist to open razors 3 to 4 years earlier(1930) with the Micromatic open comb and Gillette was scrambling to match Gem razor advance in TTO technology and Gem sold Millions of Micromatics. I have both types of Razors and at the moment Gem gives me great shaves, I will not be selling my Gillette razors either.
Excellent video!
Beautiful razor. Thanks for the info!
Definitely on my list now to get.
I've got one recently from my grandfather passing and I'm torn if I want to re do the gold plating or not. Plating is probably 85 percent. No interest in reselling but fresh gold would look sweet. I use it regularly.
Who knows? I might stumble across one at a yard sale...I'll certainly be looking. :D
Super informational video again Master Matt👍 I have an Aristocrat but it's much "newer" in a leather case. Enjoy!
Great video, love the education.
Glad I have one! Case and blade bank. Doesnt shake like yours, built like a tank and shaves well :-)
What difference does it make to change a blade so fast. Speed racer in the bathroom lol
Wait! Let me get a beer and settle in for story time! 🤩
Great vid as always, Matt. 💈
Nice. I’ve never one of those.
Again, a very, very interesting video! Thank you Matt. 👍
Hi there Matt! I have a fairly nice collection vintage Gillette razors. After watching this video I was inspired to seek out this razor actively since I was really not having much luck finding one at a reasonable price on eBay or Etsy. As luck would have it a gentleman on eBay offered one for a very reasonable price, so I jumped on it. It is in remarkably good mechanical condition but probably would be a candidate for a Razor Revamp in the future... For now I just want to enjoy the great shaves I am getting out of it before I consider sending it out to you. Your videos are awesome, keep up the great work, and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Take care! Rob
thank you!
Great video beautiful razor love the history 👍
Hey Matt, as usual, love all of your videos. Been collecting for 25 years but as you know, this stuff has gone up so much. I use to be pretty spot on when it came to pricing. I’m looking at one of these now with the case and blade bank. In great shape for $283. Does that seem about right? Thanks for any help.
Upper end of what it's worth. At that price it should be immaculate.
Great series love these videos!
My doors fall out if it’s open and turned upside down. I want a shirt
Beautiful razor 💈👍
I’ve had several shaves with that one... definitely cool but didn’t really dig the shave... it is a great looker!
I have a tangential question. I noticed on Razor Emporium's webpage that the "last," Gillette razor named Aristocrat was just a gold tone Slim Adjustable. I have a gold tone 1970 long handle Black Beauty adjustable (which, coincidentally is virtually mint, and, frankly, beautiful). Did Gillette market this back in the day as an Aristocrat also? Anyway, thanks for the videos, and I look forward to the ones on my beloved Super Speeds.
Not in the USA they didn't
Great Video!!!
Very nice.
Matt did Gillette ever do any other TTO with the open comb design?
Sheraton and senator
yes
It's a beautiful razor. I have it in the original box, beautiful condition, but the shave is rough.
Hi there since the folk at Razor Emporium seem to know more about this I wanted to ask if you can post any information on the Silver/Golden Star Razors! These razors seem pretty darn good and are easy to get for affordable prices and it seems a lot of the history of the em are murky or I don’t hear enough about them
Never heard of them
@@RazorEmporium I hadn’t either apparently! They share names with the Silver Platinum razors and that made me actually wonder whether or not they are related/from the same company.
They apparently were made from 1946-1959 Silver star. Model 100 is the one I see all the time
Hello I was very happy when I found mine it is by far the pride of my collection but you stated 34 to 37 how do you identify the year? Mine is in a black leather case, from what I researched I thought the no end plates was for the 1st year of production in 34?
There are no date codes for the tto open combs. The head profiles are the only way to identify the possible years. The 1st version i.e 1934 crat has the slimmest head. The next version has a slightly bigger head. The third one has the superspeed head with the comb. You could check out forums there are articles in which people have taken pics of multiple heads. The case has nothing to do with the year. Matt was wrong in a few things. Aristocrat originally came in the leather box. Then they released the deluxe model the gold plated box during Christmas or easter and then continued producing both the cases at different prices till early 40s. Maybe 43 or 41.
End caps on ANY Gillette razor did not appear until 1946 or so.
@@RazorEmporium could be. I was mainly talking about the head profiles.
Matt, you said in the video the Aristocrat was Gillette's first attempt at a TTO razor, not their best attempt. What was, in your opinion, their best attempt? If I wanted to own one Gillette TTO representing their best effort, what should I look for?
Matt's favorite TTO is a Gillette 'Slim'.
My best shaves come from my Milord razor, really enjoy it, also like my British superspeed. I do find they all have different shave characteristics.
The mechanism was dialed in by the 1940's Aristocrat.
I have one without the Bulldog barber pole handle, but notchless doors (sunken bar). It is SUPER aggressive. Like a Fat Boy on 14!!
Gillette knew of mens' affinity for gadgets.
👍👍
Love my Senator not their best shaver. Cheers.
👌🏼🥶😳😮
That is a 1936 aristocrat razor. You made a mistake.
Understood. I don't have EVERY razor model - this series is to teach people the history. It's better to hold a 36 than hold nothing and just talk.... :)
@@RazorEmporium matt you do a good job. Explaining everything on the video is difficult. The 30s open comb tto razors had changes in a very short span from 1934 till 1942 I guess. Even people on badgerandblade took a long time to figure out more about these razors. Everyone had different head profiles. Some were mild. Some were aggressive. I have done a lot of research on these. I only have the 34 aristocrat. I want to purchase a late 30s aristocrat made in US. I have a 1938 British aristocrat razor.
Such awesome, classy, American-made products back then. Such crappy, plastic, Chinese-made junk now. So sad.
Have two but nowhere near as nice as that.