Gillette Old Type Safety Razor Value Guide

The Gillette Old Type is a cornerstone of grooming history, representing King C. Gillette's original 1901 vision for the double-edge safety razor. These brass, open-comb instruments are highly collectible for their historical significance as WWI military issue gear and their role in making daily shaving accessible to the masses.

What Is Gillette Old Type Safety Razor Worth?

The typical price range for Gillette Old Type Safety Razor is $70 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the brass plating, as many examples show 'brassing' or wear to the original finish.
• Presence of the original WWI-era military or civilian storage case.
• Structural integrity of the handle, specifically checking for common hairline cracks in the brass tubing.
• Rarity of the specific sub-variant, such as the Single Ring or the Pocket Edition sets.

How to Identify Gillette Old Type Safety Razor?

• Look for the distinctive open comb head design featuring two main pieces.
• Check for the textured brass handle which provided grip for early 20th-century users.
• Verify the Gillette logo and patent dates typically stamped on the underside of the guard or handle.
• Identify the specific serial numbers used between 1903 and 1921 to confirm the exact production year.

History of Gillette Old Type Safety Razor

King C. Gillette revolutionized personal grooming with the invention of the safety razor in 1901, making shaving safer and more accessible. The 'Old Type' was among his earliest and most successful designs, produced from 1903 to the late 1920s. These razors were instrumental in popularizing daily shaving and established Gillette as a household name worldwide. This particular model, with its two-piece design, was a common military issue during World War I, providing soldiers with a reliable and hygienic shaving tool.