Gillette Three-hole Blade

I have one of Gillette's three-hole razor blades. These were the blades that Gillette made through 1935.  They say "No Stropping" and "No Honing" on the face. They sported a four digit code: this one is 2425. It has a meaning for when the blade was produced, but I have not broken the code yet. They were made through 1929.  The New blade, which was slotted, began in 1930. The New blade would fit all the Old Type 3-hole razors as well as slotted razor.

I have a Twinplex Stropper that can be used to strop the old three-hole blades and modern blades as well.

The blade is ready for stropping. With each rotation of the handle two edges are stropped simultaneously then rotating the blade 180 degrees to get it ready to strop the other two edges simultaneously. 

Below is my Gillette Model 100 razor. It has the nick name "Double Ring" given for the two rings on the handle just below the head.

The handle insert has its serial number stamped on it. This one is 225338 which means it was made in 1905.

The base plate and handle are one piece. The top plate has a long screw on it.

Next, the blade is placed over the threaded rod and the two alignment studs.

The head is placed on the baseplate. This blade is pretty ridged. 

I have seen advertisements touting this razor as an adjustable razor. As the handle is tightened, the blade is bent downward. So, theoretically, there are many points one could use for a shave from a large exposure to small.

Next the head is screwed all the way down leaving the smallest exposure.

This is a very nice open combed razor.

The back side of the blade says, "Not to be Re-sharpened."

Twinplex Stropper

 This Twinplex Stropper was designed to strop Gillette and Probac-type blades. I demonstrate its use with this video.

Shave of the Day - 2/8

Dove Men Face Wash

L'OCCITANE Cade

Jayaruh #30 silvertip

Gillette Old Type

Twinplex Perfect Edge Blade

Gillette Fatboy F2

Wilkinson Sword Super Sword Stainless

CWR, Asma Alum Block

T.N. Dickinson's WH

Aqua Velva Musk AS

The L'OCCITANE Cade Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Jayaruh #30 silvertip badger brush. I did the first pass with the Gillette Old Type with a Twinplex Perfect Edge Blade. This blade really tamed the Old Type. I did not have to  ride the cap. It gave a very smooth and efficient first pass. Second passe was with the Gillette Fatboy and Wilkinson Sword Super Sword blade, I ended up with a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse and alum block, I finished off with T.N. Dickinson's WH and then Aqua Velva Musk AS. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Vintage Blades

My old friend, Mort, brought me two packs of some vintage blades: Twinplex Perfect Edge Blades and Wade & Butcher Cleverly Curved Blades.

I had seen vintage Twinplex Stroppers, but this is the first time I have seen any Twinplex Blades. They are made in Switzerland.

The blades are individually wrapped twice.

The strings of a rare old violin and the sensitive edges of a fine razor are affected alike by the temperature. To give their best one must be tuned. The other stropped before using. This blade will shave with marvelous smoothness for many more shaves if stropped regularly on a Twinplex stropper.

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The Wade & Butcher blades look like original Gillette three hole blades except that they are curved.

Fit all safety razors in which the blade has to be curved. The blades you have been waiting for -- for your razor. Highest grade steel -- three times as thick -- assuring durability, temper, hardness and keenness. Curved -- They won't crack when clamped.