40s Superspeed - Surprisingly good

[eaterofdog]

I am a long time straight shaver who has been buying (then selling) various DEs and never found one I really liked. The best one so far had been a 63 superspeed. Everybody said the 40s SS is better, so after hunting around for a while I picked up a nice pair for $20. I have now shaved with them several times (with Astra SP blades) and I am very happy. What a great razor.

 

[nemo]

I have to agree with you, great shaves. You've picked up a nice pair!

 

[eaterofdog]

I found someone clearing out a collection and cherry picked these two.

 

[FaceScraper]

I have one and its is amazingly good. Very simple classic design that does the job well. Im astounded how a 63+ year old razor can still work so well!. (mine is a no date code so its actually from the 40s as opposed to the 40s style ones that were out in the early 50s)

 

[Teddyboy]

Excellent choice, nice going. Patience pays off.

 

[Copierguy]

The Super Speeds in general a great razors and the 40s style still leads the pack.

 

[Maxime D.]

Here's the blade gap of the Super Speeds:
Red Tip: .66mm
40s Style & Black Handles after 1968: .64mm
Blue Tip and Flare Tip: .58mm

 

[MrBurns]

How long are the handles? They look quite tiny.

 

[SantoSubito]

How long are the handles? They look quite tiny.

Roughly 3/4 of an inch shorter than a Jagger. They seem to work fine though unless your someone who MUST have a longer handle.

 

[ironfist]

I have two from the fiftys, one being my dads birth year/quarter and they are mild efficient razors, pleasure to use

 

[redrider_99]

I like mine too, it's what I started with.

I've been using a ball end Tech lately which works well for me, I'm looking forward to switching back to the SS to compare now that my technique is seeming to stabilize.

 

[ultra]

Best looking Gillette ever the 40s. I'm not shaving with mine , but I like to look at it, it's pretty.

 

[GoodAg]

One for each hand! I enjoy my 40s SS. Smooth shave and has a good feel to it.

 

[eaterofdog]

I'm not surprised to see they are popular. They would probably be a $60 razor if they still made them this good.

 

[Haggises]

I find it a boring razor when compared to a range of SEs, open comb DEs, adjustables etc......but man, it shaves as well as any of 'em.

 

[coonskinner]

I started with one also.

It isn't my favorite or the most interesting, but if all I had was a 40's Superspeed, I could get good shaves every day from now on.