Gillette Super Speed DE Razors

[Seb Lucas]

Having struggled to shave with a Merkur HD and cut myself almost every time over two years, I finally got a good shave from a mint condition 1956 Super Speed. It's a very mild shave - even with a Feather blade.

I now want to try a couple more vintage razors but nothing exotic.

Does anyone have any reliable information regarding the best of the Super Speeds? I keep hearing it's those from the 1940's that are the best. Any thoughts? And yes, I know personal preferences, blade, beard type and prep make critical difference.

Thinking also of getting a Gillette Fat Boy or a slim adjustable. I had a mint fat boy in the 1980's and I cut the ship out of myself and threw it away. Didn't know how the adjusters worked and pressed too hard because back then, without the internet and surrounded by men who used electric, there was no one to help. We live and a golden era for advice.

My goal is to end up with 3 vintage razors I can actually use. Possibly 2 Super Speeds and the Fat Boy. Thoughts?

 

[esteban68]

There's a lot of snobbery out there in the vintage razor world....you'll get the your mileage may vary thing no doubt and its true everyone's experience is different, mg favourite blade might not be yours I use Rapira pink & blue labels, I love em and have tried most of the others.
As for razors well I really like the old Gillette three piece it takes some beating, as for super speeds fatboys et al well I'll be honest and controversial and say I prefer the flaretip....but above them all my absolute favourite razor is the EverReady 1912 with a Person's blade supplied by Connaughts.....I get around ten shaves per blade a friend swears he gets fourteen!

 

[Dreamofgilgamesh]

I have a 1953 40's style Gillette and i just love it. I've been along that road of trying various razors. You said it yourself "i finally got a good shave". Isn’t that good enough? In my experience the more you get the more you have to use, up to the point where it just gets confusing. Enjoy your Super Speed and be content with it.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Really Dreamof? Very few subjects explored on Fedora Lounge can be resolved with a simple "isn't that good enough?" If we all took that view the site would close and people would stop learning about golden era items.

Thanks Esteban68 for your observations. I got a good shave from the SS flare tip, I'm hoping I can find one that will give an excellent shave. I probably need a fairly mild razor.

 

[DJH]

I have a SuperSpeed (1956) but wanted a closer shave.

A Gillette Slim solved the problem, I really like being able to adjust the aggressiveness of the blade (setting at 7 works well for me).

 

[esteban68]

Seriously try an EverReady1912....they're dirt cheap and virtually indestructible, have a look on The Shaving Room forum for interesting stuff on razors....there's also the Mr Razor site for lip-smacking full frontal razor shots and obviously Badger & Blade forum.

 

[Seb Lucas]

The Ever Ready fascinates me. How do the later Gems compare? The 1912 patent seems to have been used for many years. Do you get the same shave?

Finding an ever Ready isn't hard but to get a good one and pay postage from US will cost around $60-80.

Cheers

 

[esteban68]

You'll get one on UK Ebay for a tenner....they all seem to shave the same.

 

[ironthinker]

Consider any of the Gillette adjustables. They are all very mild and you can pick you blade strength by adjusting. Most say "The Fatboy" is the best of the Gillette adjustables. Also remember your blade is a big variable. Vintage blades are still available but without the modern finish they a not smooth.

I'm on "The Shave Den" fourm. As with "The Fedora Lounge" you can learn alot fast.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Found a 1912 made in England Gem razor in good condition at a thrift shop today. $30 Australian (£16) with a vintage ceramic shaving mug thrown in. I'll have to get blades from Conaught since I can't find them in Australia. It's a bit of mucking around.

 

[esteban68]

I'd guess they're made in the China area?
You should get ten shaves per blade if you hand strop the blade......

 

[Thunderhead19]

I have a 1956 Gillette Red Tip. NOT a mild shaver. My beard is like wire and with a feather blade the thing wipes my beard away like a squeegee. I have an early 40s (Canadian) Fat Handle Tech - I like it best. I have an adjustable and it's more gimmicky than anything else. Once you find the setting you want, you leave it there - forever. What's the point? I also have a modern Parker DE razor. Not as hefty, but a darn good shave too. If you are looking for a mild shaver LORD makes some decent ones.

 

[Benzadmiral]

I have a 1956 Gillette Red Tip. NOT a mild shaver. My beard is like wire and with a feather blade the thing wipes my beard away like a squeegee. I have an early 40s (Canadian) Fat Handle Tech - I like it best. I have an adjustable and it's more gimmicky than anything else. Once you find the setting you want, you leave it there - forever. What's the point? I also have a modern Parker DE razor. Not as hefty, but a darn good shave too. If you are looking for a mild shaver LORD makes some decent ones.

My 1962 Gillette adjustable provides me with some choices. My lower lip (divided by part of my beard) is easily nicked, so I use a 1 on that; 3 for my cheeks and throat. That's when I have only 1 day's worth of growth. If I skip a day, as I sometimes do on the weekend, my beard gets tougher and I need to go a little higher on the number.

 

[Dirk Wainscotting]

I have two adjustables: a 1961 Aristocrat and a 1960 'Fatboy', both sold in Britain, but the Aristocrat was made in USA).
They're okay, but I much prefer my 1955 Rocket gold (though it's more silver than gold now). It feels more solid.

Like Esteban I've moved towards three-piece razors, preferably with an open comb.

 

[esteban68]

I've actually just rescued a 1962 slim. Adjustable from a local charity/thrift shop....it was pretty grotty and wouldn't adjust but a couple of hours cleaning and polishing have brought it up to a decent shaving razor, certainly great for the three quid I paid......I still love my 1912 though.