First Gillette-Any opinions or advice

[tlentz]

I just won my very first Gillette on the Bay only because for some reason no one else bid and I got it cheap $11. It's a 1957 Super Speed Flair Tip. Cleaned it up, sanitized it, re-cleaned it and used it this morning. I put in a brand new Astra blade. Not sure if it's me or not but it seems fairly aggressive compared to my Ej DE89. Any tips/comments/etc??????????????????

Thanks

 

[GlennConti]

Not too much you can do about too aggressive. Sorry, you can add aggressiveness with a shim, but can't take it away except with milder blades. The Astra is already mild. Try a Derby Extra.

 

[TacticalPanda]

That's funny, my Super Speeds all feel pretty mild compared to my 89.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

I generally try to use a new-to-me razor for at least a week straight to get used to its nuances and how it drives. The DE89 must be extremely mild for a standard Flair Tip SS to seem overly aggressive to you, but of course, YMMV and all of that... I'd suggest a blade like a BiC or some Wilkinson Swords. Happy shaving!

 

[mikelz777]

I'm only about 10 months in and I already sold my EJ DE89 because of its mildness. (And because the handle was too slick/not grippy enough) A more aggressive razor was a welcome thing to me. Since you are referring to your Flare Tip as your first Gillette, I'd highly recommend getting an adjustable, either the Slim or the Fatboy. I've not had the pleasure of trying a Flare Tip for comparison but with either of the adjustables mentioned, you can set it so that it's so mild it's pretty much just pushing shaving cream around to a pretty aggressive razor. I have both and like mine at a 7. Even at a 7 I have the option of going more or less aggressive. Don't let the word "aggressive" intimidate you. Maybe it would be more accurate to say that the Flare Tip is a bit more assertive than the DE89. If you're getting a nice shave and you're not having razor burn or irritation then you are golden.

 

[tlentz]

I'm thinking it must have been the sunburn that made the shave seem aggressive, or getting weaker in my old age.

 

[RKG]

Could be a bad blade; I had that experience with a newly acquired SS. Thought it was the razor at fault. It was the blade.
Make sure you have it tightened enough. Otherwise it will create a greater blade gap and make it more aggressive.

 

[Goden]

I also found my SS Flare-Tip to be too aggressive. Gave me wicked razor burn. My EJ DE81 came in today and I just gave it a first try and I'm very impressed. I don't know how things will be in the future but right now my face prefers my DE81 and I can't exactly argue with it.

 

[The Accountant]

The EJ DE89 has a well earned reputation as a mild razor which is one reason it is popular with shavers new to the DE world. I have a 1955 SS Flare Tip and a 40's Style SS both of which I think are somewhat more aggressive than the DE 89. As previous posters noted you might try different blades; it is also possible you need to adjust your technique some to account for the different razor. And it may take some time for your face to get accustomed to a different razor. YMMV and all that. Anyway hang in there; your shaves will get better over time. And you can always go back to the DE 89

 

[rotto66]

I personally prefer my Super Speeds over my EJ89. I find the Super Speeds work best for me with a very sharp blade such as a Feather or Gillette 7 O'clock yellow. Like the others said give it a little time and maybe try a few different blades to see if you find a good combination for yourself, if not go back to the EJ 89. Unfortunately not every razor works as well for everyone.

 

[StephenP83]

I shave with a 1957 super speed everyday. There are actually three different models of them. There is the normal one, like you have. There is a blue tip and a red tip. The blue tip is the most mild, normal is in the middle, and red tip is the most aggressive. The normal one is made to be the middle of the road razor for most average beards. As other people suggested already, maybe it was a bad blade. Or, maybe you could try the blue tip because your beard is a little lighter than average?