Once again I’m referring to a thread from a shaving forum – this time one where the images have been lost, despite being critical to the thread!
Fortunately I’ve tracked down the images and have recreated this reference on the wonderful Gillette Rockets below.
With acknowledgement to user ‘MTgrayling‘ who pulled this all together in the first place.
It all started after I found a 3 gallon tin of Gillette’s in October 2007. That’s 35 lbs. of vintage razors folks. What could come of such an event you say? A passion for all things Gillette for one, especially the lesser common and more solidly built English twist to opens known as Rockets, and a major draining of my liquidity for another.
That bucket contained over 250 razors, mostly Gillette’s, but not one of those ancient shavers was a Rocket. So in the twisted logic of a newly formed addict I theorized I needed more razors. I needed a Rocket!
Just over 12 months later and dealing completely through eBay I think I’ve found them all.
Rocket, what a cool name!
It all started after I found a 3 gallon tin of Gillette’s in October 2007. That’s 35 lbs. of vintage razors folks. What could come of such an event you say? A passion for all things Gillette for one, especially the lesser common and more solidly built English twist to opens known as Rockets, and a major draining of my liquidity for another.
That bucket contained over 250 razors, mostly Gillette’s, but not one of those ancient shavers was a Rocket. So in the twisted logic of a newly formed addict I theorized I needed more razors. I needed a Rocket!
Just over 12 months later and dealing completely through eBay I think I’ve found them all.
Rocket, what a cool name!
First of all what is a Rocket? We all know the official definition of the pointed missiles that pierce the sky on the way to space. As for razors it applies, in my opinion, to Gillette razors made in England that have a unique design where the twist to open knob shortens and recedes into the handle as the doors are opened, like a bolt and nut. American razors stay the same length whether the silo doors are open or closed.
This “Rocket gap” is a distinguishing feature that is easy to recognize.
The Rocket family encompasses a few other razors such as the Parat and Aristocrat Jr..
There are other differences such as a solid post and pointed side plate unit opposed to the folded post and soldered on blunt end caps common to American razors. This feature along with the internal mechanical design gives the more solid feeling most people report when talking of Rockets.
The Rockets also have a better polished silo doors and higher quality plating in my opinion.
Here’s a photo of the basic American and English razors for quick ID purposes.
American vs: English:
Left to Right:
40’s style SuperSpeed (US), 40’s style Rocket (UK); Flare tip SuperSpeed (US), Flare Tip Rocket (UK); TV SuperSpeed (US), TV Rocket (UK); Red Tip SuperSpeed (US), Red Tip Rocket (UK)
When were they made?
That’s a very good question since Gillette England did not date code their razors like Gillette in America so courteously did, as you can imagine this makes dating these razors fun and interesting.
The first Rockets were made post war and as early as 1948, if not sooner. Production lasted at least into the 60’s. Generally dates can be narrowed down by comparing the Rockets to similar looking American made razors, it’s anybody’s guess as to how accurate this method is though.
Onto the Rockets!
Rockets
#1: 40’s style Rocket; this razor is the typical Rocket and is common in places like Canada, England where they were made and Australia. These razors came in the clear/red styrene case above and cardboard boxes like the early Super Speeds. These can say patent pending or have Brit. Pat. 694093 stamped in the blade tray, 63 grams in weight.
#2: This version of a Rocket is commonly known as a “Parat”. The name Parat comes from a German advertisement describing the razor as an aparat or apparatus. These were made in England if so marked under head or made in Germany if there is no stamp of origin. The best way to tell if you have a Rocket or Parat is to open the doors, if the knob is the same size as the handle it is a Parat, if the knob is slightly larger it is a Rocket. These say Brit. Pat. 694093 in the blade tray and have the II mark under head, 61 grams.
First of all what is a Rocket? We all know the official definition of the pointed missiles that pierce the sky on the way to space. As for razors it applies, in my opinion, to Gillette razors made in England that have a unique design where the twist to open knob shortens and recedes into the handle as the doors are opened, like a bolt and nut. American razors stay the same length whether the silo doors are open or closed. This “Rocket gap” is a distinguishing feature that is easy to recognize. The Rocket family encompasses a few other razors such as the Parat and Aristocrat Jr.. There are other differences such as a solid post and pointed side plate unit opposed to the folded post and soldered on blunt end caps common to American razors. This feature along with the internal mechanical design gives the more solid feeling most people report when talking of Rockets. The Rockets also have a better polished silo doors and higher quality plating in my opinion.
#3: Aluminum 40’s style Rocket; this Rocket is unique and made almost entirely of aluminum, or aluminium to the Brit’s out there, except for the post and side plates. I’ve only seen one other. This has patent pending stamped in the blade tray and weighs in at a slight 27 grams as the lightest Rocket.
#4: Gold Rocket; the Rocket came very thinly plated in gold. These are uncommon and I’ve never seen one that had more than 90% of the plating intact. They are somewhat delicate. Mine says patent pending and it weighs the same as a normal Rocket, 63 grams.
#5: Aristocrat Jr.; this is one of the better built Gillette’s in my opinion. It has a heavy 1/8”, 3mm, thick brass plate up top and is like a Rocket in every other way. I’ve heard these called #49 lately. These came in a dark vertical case that says Aristocrat Jr. on the inside. I’ve also heard they were cased in the same red/clear styrene case as the Rocket although I’m somewhat suspicious of these claims. Many people would put their old razor in the new razor case just to house it, or visa-versa. Just try to find the CD you’re looking for in the correct case in some peoples collections. BRIT PAT NO 403030 is stamped under head. At 71 grams this is one of the heaviest Rockets.
#6: Aristocrat Jr./#48; this uncommon razor could predate both the Rocket and Aristocrat Jr.. It has a knob that doesn’t recede into the handle but functions like an American Super Speed. It also has the 1/8” thick heavy flat brass plate that the blade rests on like the Aristocrat Jr.. More features of these razors are the lack of end caps and un-notched post reminiscent of a 1947 Super Speed, this is the only un-notched Rocket type that I know of. These share the same head design as the English Aristocrat #21. A Strange hybrid that came in either a white or blue Bakelite case. I think the blue cases were for sale in England and the white ones indicate it was for the Australian market. These have BRIT PAT NO 403030 stamped under head and weigh 62 grams.
