First DE shave with Gillette Super Speed

[mbrando]

Hi,

Thanks to all of the advise of the group I bought my gear a 1953 Gillette Super Speed in the 40's style and a sample pack from Westcoastshaving.com.

I'm impressed. I lathered up some williams and went to it. Dropped in a Persona Platinum in and very carefully started. It just glided. Very comfortable. It seemed too easy, So I knocked on some wood just in case.

I'd have to say my first DE shave was a great experience. Only one nick I did not feel and BBS around. The only issue I have is that spot on either side of the inner nostril. I cannot seem to get the shave head in there, I touched up with my straight that spot only.

But WOW! It's fast and a great shave.

A few questions:

1) After rinsing the razor do you open it or remove the razor to air dry?

2) Does anyone use a safety razor hone? Blades seem pretty cheap to have to hone a safety razor.

Thanks again for your support.

- Mike

 

[demaro]

Congratulations - Very nice razor !!

 

[mbrando]

yeah, just open it shake it dry if u want and air dry...no hone just buy a big pack of razor blades like derby or feathers for 12 to 15 bucks from ebay. and you will get better shaving under the nose w time

Hi,

Thanks. I'll do that.

Mike

 

[BigFoot]

The SuperSpeed is a nice shaver! Congrats man.

 

[michiganlover]

2) Does anyone use a safety razor hone? Blades seem pretty cheap to have to hone a safety razor.

Honing DE blades is a rather pointless exercise. The blades that those hones were designed for were thicker than modern blades, carbon steel, and uncoated.

Modern day blades have coatings on the edges, and any attempt to hone them would remove these coatings, which should result in a rougher shave.

At as little as .10 cents per blade when bought in bulk, it's simply not worth bothering with.

 

[mbrando]

Honing DE blades is a rather pointless exercise. The blades that those hones were designed for were thicker than modern blades, carbon steel, and uncoated.

Modern day blades have coatings on the edges, and any attempt to hone them would remove these coatings, which should result in a rougher shave.

At as little as .10 cents per blade when bought in bulk, it's simply not worth bothering with.

Hi,

Thanks. I did not realize that modern blades are different from what the hones were intended for. However, like you said blades are really pretty cheap, so why would you any way.

- Mike

 

[mbrando]

Hi,

I shaved gain today with the DE. I think I'm hooked. This will be in my rotation with my straight razors.

- Mike

 

[Sledgehammer39]

After shaving with a super-speed I rinse under hot water and towel dry the razor. I pull the razor blade out and let it dry. I do not use a hone.. Mainly because the blades are cheap to replace.

 

[mharris127]

Hi,

I shaved gain today with the DE. I think I'm hooked. This will be in my rotation with my straight razors.

- Mike

Wow! From a straight to a DE. Usually it is the other way around -- from a cart to a DE. I hope you are more comfortable and have BBS shaves with your DE.

 

[mbrando]

Wow! From a straight to a DE. Usually it is the other way around -- from a cart to a DE. I hope you are more comfortable and have BBS shaves with your DE.

Hi,

So far 2 shaves with the DE and both BBS. I'm wonder if the planets just aligned for me, a Gillette DE that works for my face and a good set of blades from the sample pack. I also picked up an adjustable but I think I'll shave for a while the 1953 super speed. At least until I work through my sample packe of blades. I'd like to see if some are better than others.

- Mike

 

[eto]

Great job on your shaves:

1) After rinsing the razor do you open it or remove the razor to air dry?

I just give it a good shake and wipe it with a tissue. Once every 2 weeks I will take it apart a give it a good rub down to get some of the soap build up off.

2) Does anyone use a safety razor hone? Blades seem pretty cheap to have to hone a safety razor.

Razor's are cheap so I don't hone. Sounds fun to try though.

 

[Copierguy]

Congrats on your DE success.

If I can be nosy, how did you come to know straights before trying DEs?

 

[mbrando]

Congrats on your DE success.

If I can be nosy, how did you come to know straights before trying DEs?

Hi,

If anyone asked me about either before Dec 2009, I would have swore by my electric norelco or Mach. My Brother began doing Original Straight Razor restorations and Custom Straight razor restoration around then. I was commandeered to take pictures of his finished work for listing in classified ads.

Since I was helping him, he gave a la grange, an Illinois strop and Swaty. I just looked at for about a month. The poked at it. It did not bite. Read all kinds of stuff on another forum StraighRazorPlace. The hobby interest took off from there. Strops, hones, honing, the process ... etc. I got sucked in.

I told some friends and they would buy me straights when they go to antique malls or stores. My collection is about 12 straights now and 2 Gillette DE's. I just bought the DE's in the last week.

I like the process and the challenge. However my brother and I have opened a shave related web site. A certain kind of person shaves with a straight or a DE. I wanted to know what the deal was with the DE and now get it. Since we are trying to now make this a business the salesman in me needed an option for those that may be inclined to a DE or a straight. Those intimidated by the straight may feel more comfortable with a DE now and cross over later.

Can I plug my signature now?

Thanks for asking. I guess this is a story of trying to turn a passion into a business.

- Mike