Are vintage blades useful or nostalgic?

[pipskicks]

I have seen some blades at antique shops, probably overpriced, but I never gave them a real look. I have seen though, people talking about using vintage blades that they have found.

I know vintage soap can work well (although sometimes it may not be worth it due to no scent etc), but I get that the lather works and it's interesting to try it. I was wondering with blades....is it really a good shave, or is it more the interest/nostalgia of using a vintage blade?

 

[smalltank]

personally I wouldnt use a vintage blade..the coating has probably worn off or isnt 100% there..and rust could set in..if nothing wrong with it..try em if you wish.

 

[SteveWY]

Yes and yes. I don't think the quality deteriorates. Certainly they are useful but I prefer to just save them as part of my collection of vintage things. Your choice.

 

[pipskicks]

I would think the quality would deteriorate (but then I would think the same thing of soaps that people claim are awesome to use).

I just get confused because maybe people say a vintage blade is "really sharp" to say it is still in semi-good condition, but I took it to mean they really enjoyed shaving with it, which definitely confused me!

 

[Kramerica]

By 'vintage', I assume you mean pre-stainless carbon steel blades? I tried one Gillette blue blade, and that is the last one I will ever try! A bloodbath.....

As for 60s-80s stainless blades (Spoilers, Plus Platinums, Personna 74s, etc) some of those are AWESOME, particularly the Spoilers, IMHO.

 

[5savages]

I bought 90 Blade Man Blades at an antique shop and they ended tugging like crazy. I'm going to give them one more shot then get rid of them. My interest in using pre-stainless blades has waned quite a bit.

 

[pipskicks]

I guess the years make sense, well I guess I would be referring to the older ones but I do find it interesting that 40 year old blades still work well!

 

[talibeard]

Some vintage blades are truly great but I didn't find many that are really better than what is being produced today. There are maybe a dozen or so really nice ones (Schick Platinum Plus, Personna 74, Swedes etc.) but at the price these go for today those are more collector items than a good bargain. My last 'good' score were almost 100 Schick platinums for less than €10,= 2 or 3 years ago. These days I let them pass because most of the times they are not worth the price imo.

 

[mmack66]

By 'vintage', I assume you mean pre-stainless carbon steel blades? I tried one Gillette blue blade, and that is the last one I will ever try! A bloodbath.....

As for 60s-80s stainless blades (Spoilers, Plus Platinums, Personna 74s, etc) some of those are AWESOME, particularly the Spoilers, IMHO.

+1

 

[man00ver]

Vintage stainless blades are great for shaving. Some of us like the vintage carbons too, but they're not for everybody. I buy them all if the price is right and the condition is good.