I have been using my new (for me) 1963 SS for a couple of days. Yesterday I used a Wilkinson Sword blade that I had used already for 5 or 6 shaves (3 passes each), today I used a new Astra Blue Superior Stainless. Both times, the 1963 felt heavier than the 1963, and a bit more agressive. The Astra felt very smooth in the first pass, but even cold water at the end stung a little. After weeks of using the 1967, I got very comfortable with it, and had hardly any irritation. With the 1963 I had tiny red dots on my cheek and neck and my alum block let me know that I had a closer shave than I wanted. I guess this means go back to fundamentals and take things easy until I learn how to shave with this razor. I didn't expect the two razors to be any different. Has anyone experienced something similar with SS of different years?
1963 SS (I2) vs 1967 SS (M1)
- Thread starter oscarc
- Start date
If you hold both razors side-by-side and look at the profile of their heads, you will notice that the '67 has a lower profile, reducing the angle of the blade as it meets your face. That's the only significant difference between the two. But it's a big difference to some. All of Gillette's heads after the mid-sixties use the lower profile head.
Always use light, light pressure. It is also essential to know the grain of your own beard. Since you must use the same pressure all the time, you are forced to hit the hairs from different angles to get the smoothest shaves.
Best of luck!
Always use light, light pressure. It is also essential to know the grain of your own beard. Since you must use the same pressure all the time, you are forced to hit the hairs from different angles to get the smoothest shaves.
Best of luck!
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks. This is very useful, I'll examine and compare them, and, most importantly, will pay attention to the pressure I use.
Is the '67 a black handle? If so I just purchased one tonight, any good?
- Thread starter
- #5
Black handle. I love it. But it is the first decent DE that I've owned, so I can't compare with anything other than the 63. I have no complaints, smooth shaves, easy to use, to load. I bought the 1963 because I was born in 63; other than that, I didn't think I needed a second razor. I'll try to resist any RAD as long as I can, so those will be my only two razors for the foreseeable future.
- Thread starter
- #6
ironfist: Have you checked the date code? Not only the 67 has a black handle. The 67 is I, what date code does yours have?
http://gillettedatecodes.com/
http://gillettedatecodes.com/
Just to elaborate on the differences.... The later black handled SS has an aluminum handle (except for the flared TTO knob which seems to be brass) as compared to the chrome (or maybe nickel?) plated brass handle of the earlier flare tip SS (although as I was trying to examine in another thread, the "blue tip" SS from earlier times is also an aluminum handled razor...)
I don't own a blue-tip yet, but the red and regular flair tipped SS seem to have identical heads (which are different in both weight and door angle from the later black handled version).
I don't own a blue-tip yet, but the red and regular flair tipped SS seem to have identical heads (which are different in both weight and door angle from the later black handled version).
