Just received my first vintage razor, a '53 Gillette Super Speed, yesterday and took it for a first spin this morning.
See the initial post here - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/372795-53-Super-Speed-1st-Vintage-Razor
I returned to DE shaving about a month ago after purchasing an EJ DE89 Barley Chrome (knurled handle) model, soaps, blade sample pack and Omega and Semogue boar brushes. I've been very pleased with the return to DE shaving and my technique has improved to the point that I'm consistently achieving CCS and occasional DFS without any problems.
Of course life's not that simple in B&B land because after joining the community, I learned that there's a whole vintage razor sub-culture all around that's been thriving unbeknownst to me in my prior years of cartridge exile. In the interest of diversity I had to embrace this sub-culture and purchased a "birth year" razor, the '53 SS, and set out to compare it to the latest technology, the '13 DE89.
So, 1st impressions - These are two fine shaving instruments! I don't see how someone new to DE shaving or someone like me returning from a long cartridge exile can go wrong picking either (or both) of these razors. Both razors are consistently described on the B&B forums as forgiving or mild and I would have to agree. At the same time I have no trouble whatsoever achieving a vastly superior shave in terms of both comfort and closeness when compared to cartridge shaves.
The ED DE89 is on the left in both photos.
The 3 piece DE89 is a much larger razor than the TTO SS, standing about 11mm taller, with a thicker solid handle, and is much more hefty (heavier) in the hand. That's not to say the SS feels lightweight or flimsy. No, it's a plated brass razor and feels substantial, well designed and well made. Both are well balanced razors so the comparison might be more akin to a sports car vs. a sports sedan. Both have the moves, but they feel differently getting you from here to there.
I compared the razors' shaves using a Persona Red (IP), and the blade geometry is clearly different, visibly and in feel on the face. While I would rate the SS as very slightly more efficient (aggressive) than the DE89, I would rate the DE89 as very slightly smoother. Nevertheless, both razors deliver a very close, comfortable shave and I don't see how anyone could describe either razor as aggressive or offering anything other than a terrific shave experience.
The SS appears to apply slightly less curve to the blade and less blade exposure, but the cutting edge of the blade is closer to the edge of the safety bar. The DE89 blade, with the greater blade exposure has the blade edge recessed further from the edge of the safety bar than the SS. I believe this is achieved by applying more curve to the blade. I also have to add that the plating and finish of the DE89 is absolutely magnificent and the design of the wide scalloped safety bar with that outstanding finish is responsible for the smoother feel of the DE89 gliding over the skin. This is a design that will forgive a sub-optimal lather from a new shaver. On the other hand, the SS with the blade edge closer to the safety bar does a better job shaving under the nostrils.
One interesting thing I noticed is that the audible feedback on the SS seemed more pronounced. I attribute this to the greater mass of the shaving head on the DE89 that absorbs the sound of the blade cutting the whiskers, but both razors let you know what's going on.
I would also add that the texture of the knurling is coarser on the SS making it slightly more grippy than the barley chrome texture on the DE89. After a month of using the DE89, I can say that the barley chrome generally provides good grip, but if there is any soap on your hands when you pick the razor up it can be a little slippery.
So, which one's better, old technology or new?
Based on my short experience, I'd have to say flip a coin, they're both winners.
What say you?
See the initial post here - http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/372795-53-Super-Speed-1st-Vintage-Razor
I returned to DE shaving about a month ago after purchasing an EJ DE89 Barley Chrome (knurled handle) model, soaps, blade sample pack and Omega and Semogue boar brushes. I've been very pleased with the return to DE shaving and my technique has improved to the point that I'm consistently achieving CCS and occasional DFS without any problems.
Of course life's not that simple in B&B land because after joining the community, I learned that there's a whole vintage razor sub-culture all around that's been thriving unbeknownst to me in my prior years of cartridge exile. In the interest of diversity I had to embrace this sub-culture and purchased a "birth year" razor, the '53 SS, and set out to compare it to the latest technology, the '13 DE89.
So, 1st impressions - These are two fine shaving instruments! I don't see how someone new to DE shaving or someone like me returning from a long cartridge exile can go wrong picking either (or both) of these razors. Both razors are consistently described on the B&B forums as forgiving or mild and I would have to agree. At the same time I have no trouble whatsoever achieving a vastly superior shave in terms of both comfort and closeness when compared to cartridge shaves.
The ED DE89 is on the left in both photos.
The 3 piece DE89 is a much larger razor than the TTO SS, standing about 11mm taller, with a thicker solid handle, and is much more hefty (heavier) in the hand. That's not to say the SS feels lightweight or flimsy. No, it's a plated brass razor and feels substantial, well designed and well made. Both are well balanced razors so the comparison might be more akin to a sports car vs. a sports sedan. Both have the moves, but they feel differently getting you from here to there.
I compared the razors' shaves using a Persona Red (IP), and the blade geometry is clearly different, visibly and in feel on the face. While I would rate the SS as very slightly more efficient (aggressive) than the DE89, I would rate the DE89 as very slightly smoother. Nevertheless, both razors deliver a very close, comfortable shave and I don't see how anyone could describe either razor as aggressive or offering anything other than a terrific shave experience.
The SS appears to apply slightly less curve to the blade and less blade exposure, but the cutting edge of the blade is closer to the edge of the safety bar. The DE89 blade, with the greater blade exposure has the blade edge recessed further from the edge of the safety bar than the SS. I believe this is achieved by applying more curve to the blade. I also have to add that the plating and finish of the DE89 is absolutely magnificent and the design of the wide scalloped safety bar with that outstanding finish is responsible for the smoother feel of the DE89 gliding over the skin. This is a design that will forgive a sub-optimal lather from a new shaver. On the other hand, the SS with the blade edge closer to the safety bar does a better job shaving under the nostrils.
One interesting thing I noticed is that the audible feedback on the SS seemed more pronounced. I attribute this to the greater mass of the shaving head on the DE89 that absorbs the sound of the blade cutting the whiskers, but both razors let you know what's going on.
I would also add that the texture of the knurling is coarser on the SS making it slightly more grippy than the barley chrome texture on the DE89. After a month of using the DE89, I can say that the barley chrome generally provides good grip, but if there is any soap on your hands when you pick the razor up it can be a little slippery.
So, which one's better, old technology or new?
Based on my short experience, I'd have to say flip a coin, they're both winners.
What say you?
