I’m interested in buying one or two vintage Gillette razors. Which model(s), in your opinion, offers the best shave and why?
Best Shaving Gillette Vintage?
- Thread starter FormAndFunction
- Start date
Fatboy or Slim IMO as it has a wide range of settings.
I also really like the Red Tip Super Speed and Aristocrat as well. The aggressiveness of both just work for me.
I am a big fan of Gillette TTO (twist to open) razors, I guess.
I also really like the Red Tip Super Speed and Aristocrat as well. The aggressiveness of both just work for me.
I am a big fan of Gillette TTO (twist to open) razors, I guess.
lasta
Blade Biter
Sharpie pretty much said it all!
My favourites are Techs and Red Tips. IMO, the perfect sweet-spot of adequate efficiency and as smooth as possible.
My favourites are Techs and Red Tips. IMO, the perfect sweet-spot of adequate efficiency and as smooth as possible.
EclipseRedRing
I smell like a Christmas pudding
It is possible to get an excellent shave with just about any Gillette razor if your technique is up to scratch. None is objectively better than any other, you might simply prefer a particular one for some intangible reason, while others may dislike the same razor for perfectly valid reasons of their own. My favourite Gillette is the English Goodwill simply because it makes me happy when I use it.
It depends on what you are looking for in terms of the 'best shave'
Can you clarify what you mean by that? It helps responding posts.
Is your beard growth coarse or fine? What's your experiences with other DE razors?
Technique is indeed crucial to results.
Not all Gillettes give the same results. It depends on model, the blade pairing and a lot of other variables.
A classic pair would be a 1940's Super Speed and a Tech.
Do you want mild/efficient, mild, etc.
I'm a fan of the Super Adjustable. Partially because mine is birth year and the last of the all metal Gillette safety razors in the US. But adjustables give you a range of options, and you can change aggressiveness mid shave if you need.
Consider the 3 piece Gillettes that preceded the TTOs and TTO adjustables.
The Tech is very available and an easy entry point. Personally the New Short Comb, followed by the foolproof New Long Comb, are my two favorite Gillettes. I do have Superspeeds, an Aristocrat, Fatboys, a Slim and an 84 Super Adjustable. I find them all a bit clunkier than the 3 piece razors.
The Tech is very available and an easy entry point. Personally the New Short Comb, followed by the foolproof New Long Comb, are my two favorite Gillettes. I do have Superspeeds, an Aristocrat, Fatboys, a Slim and an 84 Super Adjustable. I find them all a bit clunkier than the 3 piece razors.
You can't go wrong with a Fatboy. All the vintage Gillettes are great really. Very addictive lol. A NEW LC & Fatboy will start you down the Gillette rabbit hole nicely. 
Tech for me of the few I tried .
Slim and 40s superspeed. Oh and the red tip.
Also the tech, how can I forget the tech?
Nah I can’t do this, they are all great…
Also the tech, how can I forget the tech?
Nah I can’t do this, they are all great…
Made In England Tech from the early 40's
Long Comb New
And surprise surprise- a newly acquired black beauty adjustable is pretty darn good, more to my liking than the slim.
Long Comb New
And surprise surprise- a newly acquired black beauty adjustable is pretty darn good, more to my liking than the slim.
I would recommend a Tech and a Super Adjustable. Both are readily available and shave great.
If you can get your hands on one, the 1941 Ranger or the 1946 Ranger will give you great shaves, if you're not looking for something super aggressive. Plus, you'll have a somewhat rare razor. They are a great shave.
Out of a rare raised flat bottom tech, red tip rocket, and everything else in between I’m surprised how often I reach for my 40s superspeed. The older ranger techs are also slightly more assertive and nice.
The head of early flare tips seems the same but I liked my 40s style better.
The American red tip just seems unrefined. No matter which I try I can’t get a good shave from one.
Fat boys have also been nice for me.
The head of early flare tips seems the same but I liked my 40s style better.
The American red tip just seems unrefined. No matter which I try I can’t get a good shave from one.
Fat boys have also been nice for me.
+2! Yep! My personal preference is the Slim!! And I would add a Tech which will not break the bank!!
"one"
1940's style Super Speed
" or two vintage Gillette razors."
Ranger
1940's style Super Speed
" or two vintage Gillette razors."
Ranger
You won't know what works best for you until you try them. What works best for me won't necessarily work best for you. Fortunately they are not terribly expensive for the most part so you can experiment.
Of the vintage Gillettes, the ones that work best for me are the Slim Adjustable and the 60s Super Speed, also the Superadjustable. Maybe because they use the same heads? I like them better than the 40s and 50s Super Speeds (more aggressive than the 60s without better shave results), Tech, New, Fatboy. The Fatboy is close, but overall I like the Slim more.
Of the vintage Gillettes, the ones that work best for me are the Slim Adjustable and the 60s Super Speed, also the Superadjustable. Maybe because they use the same heads? I like them better than the 40s and 50s Super Speeds (more aggressive than the 60s without better shave results), Tech, New, Fatboy. The Fatboy is close, but overall I like the Slim more.
British Red Tip SS gets my vote. I’ve got a few.
I never see any Single Ring love. I still really enjoy the 100+ year early ones. There are no problems with the shave, and once a little familiarity is gained they are darn fine shavers. And it feels good to get perfect service to this day with something so old. My Apple device can’t touch the reliability of a Gillette Single Ring!
I'd happily take one off your hands...any time!!
