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[dgilman]

I've been a one-razor guy for a long time. The lively discussion on B&B about trying out a variety of razors and blades has been giving me doubts about my monogamy, particularly now that I've moved from the Mach 3 (for over ten years!) to DE.

The only DE razor I've ever used is a Vincent, purchased from my friendly neighborhood barbershop. Reading the forums, I'm a little surprised to hear the venom directed at the Vincents, as clones-of-clones of genuinely good razors. I'm wondering if I just don't know what I'm missing.

I've just bought a few 3-piece razors to try out, but I'm curious to work backwards through the line of descent to the razor on which the Vincent is based. Skipping the whole discussion of whether or not Vincent is a clone of Weishi, what was the original model on which they're based? Some kind of Gillette, I would think. It looks a little bit like a Super Speed to me, but not all that much.

Can anyone point to the original vintage model, so I know what I should be shopping for?

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I had a Weishi for a little while. It is a really mild razor that I took with me to the gym. However, after repeated use the razor did fall apart. It has been mentioned in blogs/youtube that the Weishi is a clone copy of the Gillette Super Speed (late 60's-70's). I do not own the Vincent but it does seem that it and the Weishi copied the SS, with some subtle chages to the head profile and TTO knob. It is my belief that the Weishi and Vincent are not nearly as well built as the SS. I own an SS and it's still very solid. Try and get one to see for yourself. My SS is more aggressive than my Weishi.

 

[kingfisher]

Agreed that it looks like a Superspeed clone. Get a Superspeed and see what you think. They can be had for very little coin.

 

[michiganlover]

It is my belief that the Weishi and Vincent are not nearly as well built as the SS. I own an SS and it's still very solid. Try and get one to see for yourself. My SS is more aggressive than my Weishi.

Hold a Weishi, and a Gillette Superspeed side by side. It will be instantly apparent that the Weishi is at best a cheaply produced copy. One feels solid, and substantial, the other rattles like a cheap dollar store toy.

Vintage Gillette's were built like tanks, with very little that could go wrong with them (short of the screw treads wearing out).

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Hold a Weishi, and a Gillette Superspeed side by side. It will be instantly apparent that the Weishi is at best a cheaply produced copy. One feels solid, and substantial, the other rattles like a cheap dollar store toy.

Vintage Gillette's were built like tanks, with very little that could go wrong with them (short of the screw treads wearing out).

Believe me when I compared an old Gillette SS to the clones I was sold. The very next day went on the Bay and got a few... Never looked back.

 

[dgilman]

You guys are all making me envious of Stateside shipping possibilities! Clearly, I need to get my mitts on a SS and see how it works for me. Too bad it could be another six months (sob!) before I can actually do that.

I guess I'll try my luck on BST. Meanwhile, if any of you fine gentlemen are planning a trip to Egypt, PLEASE let me know. I'll reimburse you for a razor order and buy you a drink for your trouble at the finest bar in Cairo!

 

[Go West Young Man]

What's the deal with your comments re: Egyptian customs? Are you saying that NO package or parcel can enter the country without someone getting a bribe? Given the volume of international trade in/out of the country, how is that even workable in the 21st century?

 

[dgilman]

Potentially, yes. There is always the threat of 'customs duty', which is sometimes lawfully levied but is frequently a cover for a bribe. Customs won't allow the thing to be delivered to the addressee until the duty is paid in cash, which means you actually have to go to the airport and pay up to receive it personally. Large-scale importers of merchandise are accustomed to such duties, and either account for the extra cost of things that are supposed to be taxed, or develop business relationships with particular agents to at least regularize and minimize the bribes on things that shouldn't be taxed. For an individual like me, the hassle and expense of having to catch a cab all the way out to the airport so I can wrangle for hours with uncaring customs agents who may attempt to charge me a duty of 300% of the value of the item itself outweighs the benefit.

Any kind of parcel that seems to hold an electronic appliance is likely to be taxed at a high rate. (I'm not kidding about 300%.) Razors shouldn't fall in this category, obviously, but it's pretty easy for the agent to say, "Well, I dunno...what if there's really a digital camera in there? And why would an American take delivery of an old-fashioned razor, anyway?" Maybe I'd only get hit for, say, 150% duty. In the case of a SS, granted, that's not a huge sum of money, but it's a lot more than the razor is worth to me. (Especially when the cab ride each way equals the cost of the razor.)

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Potentially, yes. There is always the threat of 'customs duty', which is sometimes lawfully levied but is frequently a cover for a bribe. Customs won't allow the thing to be delivered to the addressee until the duty is paid in cash, which means you actually have to go to the airport and pay up to receive it personally. Large-scale importers of merchandise are accustomed to such duties, and either account for the extra cost of things that are supposed to be taxed, or develop business relationships with particular agents to at least regularize and minimize the bribes on things that shouldn't be taxed. For an individual like me, the hassle and expense of having to catch a cab all the way out to the airport so I can wrangle for hours with uncaring customs agents who may attempt to charge me a duty of 300% of the value of the item itself outweighs the benefit.

Any kind of parcel that seems to hold an electronic appliance is likely to be taxed at a high rate. (I'm not kidding about 300%.) Razors shouldn't fall in this category, obviously, but it's pretty easy for the agent to say, "Well, I dunno...what if there's really a digital camera in there? And why would an American take delivery of an old-fashioned razor, anyway?" Maybe I'd only get hit for, say, 150% duty. In the case of a SS, granted, that's not a huge sum of money, but it's a lot more than the razor is worth to me. (Especially when the cab ride each way equals the cost of the razor.)

Do you have any family living in North America? Maybe somekind of arrangement can be made that they deliver the razor during a visit.

 

[dgilman]

I'm working on 'em, Sledge! The trick is not to slip up and say, "Pleasepleaseplease come to Egypt I need a new razor!" but "Oh, you'll have such a good time here, and I miss you so!"