Candid question about corrosion

[BlueJacket]

ALCON,

I'm torn. I'm departing from the sordid modern Merkurs and want to give Gillette a try.
In my quest for a used 40's-60's Gillette Super Speed while trying to keep it under $20 (as I'm not exactly rolling in dough as lower enlisted in the military)
what are some things I should be weary about? How much corrosion is too much corrosion? What are the tolerances for where corrosion is?
Flea bites are only cosmetic?

Sincerely,
BlueJacket

 

[redrako]

Good question.

Vintage Super Speeds were constructed largely, if not entirely of brass. They were then coated with Nickel. As far as the finish with use, the nickel could wear off. So you are correct in assuming that flea bites, or pitting was only cosmetic.

The real things to be concerned about with vintage TTO razors is that the turning mechanism works smoothly, that the silo doors close firmly and like all razors that the head is squarely mounted on the handle - meaning that the razor has not been dropped.

 

[Buck Melanoma]

This should be a pretty easy one for you. In my experience, the majority of rust I have seen in the Super Speeds was left by a decaying blade and has had no impact on the actual razor. Gillette did a pretty decent job with nickel plating (gold is another matter) on the Super Speeds.

They may not look pretty when you see one in an antique store, but they clean up very nicely.

For $20, you should be able to find a Super Speed that is not at all corroded. At worst, you may have light staining, but that has no impact whatsoever.

For the record, I have not checked Ebay lately, but I would be surprised if Super Speeds are going for over $20.

ALCON,

I'm torn. I'm departing from the sordid modern Merkurs and want to give Gillette a try.
In my quest for a used 40's-60's Gillette Super Speed while trying to keep it under $20 (as I'm not exactly rolling in dough as lower enlisted in the military)
what are some things I should be weary about? How much corrosion is too much corrosion? What are the tolerances for where corrosion is?
Flea bites are only cosmetic?

Sincerely,
BlueJacket

 

[JayEddie]

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