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Tech vs 2 newcomers - only one can stay

Which razor will stay?

  • Total voters
    5
  • Poll closed .
Aaron

Aaron

0
For the last few years I've had a "one in, one out" policy on razors. Every time I buy a razor, I have to sell one. And every time, my Gillette Tech has sent the new razor packing.

I've sold a Wolfman, Fatboy, Aristocrat, Rockwell 6S, Karve B, C, D set, 40s Super Speed, Silver Star, Phoenix Alpha Ecliptic, Phoenix DOC, QShave Futur clone, RazoRock Stealth Slant and Baby Smooth, 2 different types of injector, GEM 1912 and MMOC, RazoRock Hawk, and probably others that I've forgotten. And I have two other Phoenix razors that will be sold or given away soon.The Tech has stayed as all of these others have come and gone.

Recently, I went a little crazy at the TSC yard sales, so there are 2 new contenders to kick the Tech out of the inkwell stand. First is the .68 scalloped stainless steel Timeless that arrived today. Second is the Parker Variant that is due to be delivered on Monday.
In this thread I'll keep track of the evaluation of the two new razors as I decide which one of the three I keep. I'll keep everything other than the razor the same: blade, brush, and soap. It starts tomorrow with the Timeless.

There is also a poll for those who would like to guess.
 
Without knowing your criteria, I’ll say the Timeless will come out on top. The Tech is a hard razor to beat for shaves, but I think that the Timeless will match the shave and have the looks and feel to boot.
 
Aaron this will be interesting to follow. Problem is everyone is different. The Tech for me is too mild to be the only one I would stay with but apparently works very well for you. If the poll was to get rid of which and keeping 2 I would say the Variant would have to go. Had 1 and I didn't care for the fact that the blade wasn't held rigid enough and chattered too much for me. For me if picking 1 out of those 3 it would be the Timeless but judging on what it appears you like I think you'll opt for the Tech again. I'll follow your journey here with interest.
 
I haven't used a Variant, so I won't comment on that one. When I had a chance to use the Timeless, I think it was that variation that you have right there. But man...it is hard to beat the shave of a Tech with a very sharp blade! Put a Feather in Tech...an it's on like Michelle Kwan! :)
 
Quick update for Timeless day 1.

It's very smooth, but I'll have to get used to the larger head. I also didn't like the top-heaviness of the steel head and titanium handle so I'll probably switch to a steel handle from now on. It's a busy day so I'll go into more detail later in the week as I use it more.
 
Day 2

I should stick with the Timeless for at least a week but the Variant came today and I wanted to try it out. It was set at #2 and it surprised me how similar it is to the Timeless, although after 1 day with each I'd give the Timeless the lead. The Variant seems to be less mild than the Merkur Progress at the same setting, but it's been a few years since I sold my Progress.
So far, the Tech is holding it's spot as my #1.

NurseDave said:
How many do you have in total?
Click to expand...
Right now I have 2 Techs, one for home and 1 stays in the dopp kit. I have the Timeless and Variant that just came over the last few days. There's the Phoenix BOCS that will be sold soon and I have a Gillette New long comb that I only use on the back of my neck.
 
I don’t know, if the tech ousted the Aristocrat the Timeless might not make it. I really like the 1040’s tech but would favor the Aristocrat over my tech...I think. I have more of a one in...ten more in Kind of philosophy so I have a decent example of most vintage Gillette razor on hand.
 
Day 3

Second day with the Timeless. I like the balance much better with my steel MR5 handle from Maggard. I'm getting similar results as I do from my Tech but the Timeless feels even more mild than the Tech. I think it'll be a close call.

CBLindsay said:
I don’t know, if the tech ousted the Aristocrat the Timeless might not make it. I really like the 1040’s tech but would favor the Aristocrat over my tech...I think. I have more of a one in...ten more in Kind of philosophy so I have a decent example of most vintage Gillette razor on hand.
Click to expand...
The Aristocrat was the best of the ones I sold. I just prefer three piece over TTO, which is why I sold it.
 
dmshaver said:
So besides your 2 Techs, the Timeless & Variant, how many other razors do you have?
Click to expand...
I have a slant that I'm going to sell and a Gillette New that I only use on the back of my neck. I think that's it, besides the Harry's cartridge I keep in my carry on bag.
 
OK, so you are actually getting these new razors & the Tech is beating them out of your den. I LOVE IT!!!!! I love my Techs. My favorite is the British made Fat Handle Tech, & my second fave is the Prewar Fat Handle Tech.
 
dmshaver said:
OK, so you are actually getting these new razors & the Tech is beating them out of your den. I LOVE IT!!!!! I love my Techs. My favorite is the British made Fat Handle Tech, & my second fave is the Prewar Fat Handle Tech.
Click to expand...
Mine are the Made in Canada fat handle and the ball end. I use both with a heavier steel or brass handle.
 
That timeless is really a great razor...I find it interesting that a Tech is giving the Timeless a run for the money!
 
Aaron said:
Mine are the Made in Canada fat handle and the ball end. I use both with a heavier steel or brass handle.
Click to expand...
I’ve got the Canadian Fat Handle as well. I haven’t used it enough to know where it fits in my Tech lineup. I just wish I had to shave more than once a day!
 
I'll never understand this mentality. What's so wrong with keeping a few razors in your den?

Aaron said:
I'm getting similar results as I do from my Tech but the Timeless feels even more mild than the Tech. I think it'll be a close call.
Click to expand...
What?!? Wow. How is this possible? I love the Techs, and the Timeless was too aggressive for me.
 
I use a Tech razor for easily 95%+ of my shaving and quite frankly it is IMO the greatest shaving razor ever made. The only contender is the legendary Schick Krona as regards DE razors. I tried a host of vintage razors years ago and ended up back with the Tech. If I do an ATG pass I can get a BBS shave, but mostly settle for a 2 pass DFS. The Tech has a "sweet spot" that the user must find/exploit. Despite common belief that pre-war Techs are more aggressive, such is not the case. Having measured the blade gap on pre, post, English, Canadian, etc., most are right at 0.025" + or - 0.002". The post-war has better blade rigidity and a misinterpretation of less blade rigidity is oft times considered as more aggression in the pre-war. It's not much, but a seasoned Tech veteran can tell the difference.
 
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