Antique Store Gillettes

[TheVez2]

I just found my first 2 DE razors at an antique store. I got a 1957 Blue Tip Super Speed and a 1960 Slim Adjustable. I got them for $12 each. Maybe a bit pricey, but what I was seeing on eBay with shipping wasn't too different. Plus once I got them in my hand, I had to have them. I am very impressed with how they look now that I actually have them in my hand. They cleaned up very nice. I just need to go get some polish to get them nice and shiny.

I'm impressed with their weight, especially the Slim. I also had a very strange feeling when I looked up the date codes. (C2 and F4(edit - correction L4)) I just had an overwhelming realization that what I had in my hand was older than me and almost as old as my dad. Yeah I read about 1940s this and 1950s that, but really that was just a number before. Now it is an actual length of time. Those things are over 50 years old!!! and they are amazing little pieces of engineering. I appreciated the mechanical design of them and how the TTO worked. I just love that.

I will post about my first shave with them later.

 

[shamus]

Congrats on your nice acquisitions. Stick around long enough and this will be just the beginning of a journey into the wild world of razors, blades, soaps, creams, shave sticks, brushes, Aftershaves and special treatments. Welcome!

Cheers.

 

[Copierguy]

Congrats on your find.

If the date code is F-4 on the adjustable you did better than you may think, for you most likely found a FatBoy.

The blue tip TTO knob end is just slightly larger than a slim and slightly smaller than a FatBoy.

Either way you have some fine shaves ahead of you.....Enjoy.

 

[filedog]

Congrats on your find.

If the date code is F-4 on the adjustable you did better than you may think, for you most likely found a FatBoy.

Yep, should be an FB, got any pics?

 

[fidjit]

Congrats on your find.

If the date code is F-4 on the adjustable you did better than you may think, for you most likely found a FatBoy.

See my sig for assistance in determining if you've got a Slim or a Fatboy based on visuals as well rather than just date code

 

[TheVez2]

I have looked at all the pictures. It is definitely a slim, I wish it were a FB. I will try to get some pictures to show you. The first pics I tried to take were all washed out.

 

[TheVez2]

My bad, I just looked at my razor agian. It's an L4 1966 Slim. Not sure where I got F from. I guess the world is right again. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[jwhiskercut]

Congrats on your finds. The above posters are correct. This is only the beginning

I started with one Superspeed, then I thought I needed backup for it. Then I needed an adjustable (&backup), open comb (and backups), then backups for the backups, then extras because a guest might need one. I finally ran out of excuses. I buy them because I buy them.


BTW, nevermind the prices. If you feel you got a decent deal, then it doesn't matter. I think price really only matters if you buy with the intent to resell. The prices you paid were just fine.

 

[Deltaboy]

Small town Antique stores are the way to go The Bay is out of control on Razors. Unless your wanting GEMS.

 

[amspratt]

Good finds! Personally, don't worry about having a slim rather than a fatboy. I have both, and vastly prefer the slim. Antique store finds are the way to go. There's a certain connection you feel to those razors you find in the wild, almost as if you're saving them from a life of neglect.

 

[TheVez2]

Antique store finds are the way to go. There's a certain connection you feel to those razors you find in the wild, almost as if you're saving them from a life of neglect.

I like that line of thinking.

I did find that most of the antique store I went into, they didn't have any. Most said it was hard to keep them on the shelf and they were usually gone within a week. I did see a few GEMs, but wasn't interested in those. I only saw one other Gillette that I didn't buy because it had a lot of rust on it. I must have tried about 7 stores, and only found DE razors in 1 of them. But I said if I just found one I'd be happy and I am.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I did see a few GEMs, but wasn't interested in those.

Not interested in GEM's? Huh? What? They are fabulous shavers, please don't overlook them.

 

[pal]

Your score is perfect for beginners. I always recommend both for newbies.

 

[TheVez2]

Here are the pics: