Two different G-Bars?!

[rodd]

I fell in to 3 more G-Bars today from a Gentleman who apparently liked them. I brought them home, and while cleaning them noticed that one was different than the other two. Put them next to the one I already had, and 2 were one type and 2 were the other. Strange. Check the Knurling. It is different front and back. Anyone else noticed this? Is one style more prominent? Was this a redesign, if so, which is the original? They both weigh in at 60g, and the heads appear identical.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2790947130_5a0c5a73f8.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2790098881_140cba2904.jpg?v=0

Edit: Why do I feel like MTGrayling all of a sudden?

[MTgrayling]

I have one of each and didn't notice. Perhaps I'm slipping in my old age? :D Good eyes Rodd!

[tom myers]

Yeah, I have both styles. Personally, I feel that the one where the checkering gos all the way around looks and feels a little crude at the front and back where the die separation lines are.

The other style gives me the impression that they did some type of finishing operation after it was die cast to smooth off the separation lines. I think this razor looks and feels quite a little nicer.

On my specimens anyway, the second style generally seems to have a little bit better consistancy in the checkering even on the sides where the two types are more or less similar. Again, it feels more finished.

It would be interesting to know which of these styles is the newest; the more finished one or the, presumably, lower cost one. In other words, did they make the change to improve the product or to improve the costs?

Regards,
Tom

[D.irving79]

the lack of knurling on the one model leads me to believe it was a later design because in some instances it resembles the handle design of the pushbutton.

[blue_monkey]

I love discovering these little subtleties in the razors, because you just never know when you will find some rare oddball design. Way to be on the ball, rodd! :D