Hey guys, I've been shaving with a plastic razor for the past week, and a half, when I started, and I'm eyeing this 1970's Gillette Superspeed on eBay. Would this be a good razor for a beginner? Is it too aggressive, or is it forgiving? Would the TTO last a good while? I've heard stories of the TTO failing after some time. Thanks in advance for the help!
First Real DE Razor
- Thread starter AlexC
- Start date
The SS is a very nice starter razor. Not terribly aggressive. As to longevity, it's lasted for 40 years already. Chances are it'll last for a few more decades.
You can't go wrong with a SS. Nice balance, relatively mild, and easy to maneuver. One in good shape should last another 40 years.
All of the Super Speeds are wonderful razors.
That TTO has been around for A long time. One of my concerns was durability. With revamping, and replating services available, Those TTOs should last another 30-40 years. A cheap way to check out SS TTOs, might be to buy a Weishi, SS knock off.
If you buy a razor from E-Bay, Id surely think you would want to have it revamped.
If you buy a razor from E-Bay, Id surely think you would want to have it revamped.
SS are not aggressive razors....your Gillette TTO will probably outlast you.....all my Gillette TTOs from ebay have been in excellent working condition.
Why buy a piece of junk when the original, and superior can be had for the same price? A Weishi will cost you about $20. Good quality Superspeeds can be had for the same.
In my opinion, the Weishi is not a good choice for a beginner; I found it to be so ridiculously mild it was effectively useless. Mine also rattled when closed like a cheap dimestore toy.
My Weishi doesn't rattle. It makes a good travel razor. It _is_ very mild -- but with a Feather blade, the shaves are pretty good.
The price gap between Super Speeds and modern high-class 3-piece razors -- EJ DE89 and Merkur 34C -- isn't too great. I prefer my EJ DE89 to my three Gillette vintages DE's. But that's a matter of taste.
. Charles
The price gap between Super Speeds and modern high-class 3-piece razors -- EJ DE89 and Merkur 34C -- isn't too great. I prefer my EJ DE89 to my three Gillette vintages DE's. But that's a matter of taste.
. Charles
The black handle TTO's do not suffer from the "dropped knob" failing the first couple generations of the Super Speeds do. With general easy care it should easily outlast any of us here, really. It's a pretty mild shaver, not a bad one at all to start with. Some find the handle a little shorter than they prefer, but that is exactly that, a preference, not a failing of the razor or it's design.
I might like my Super Speed to much. (Look up)
If you get one which has been properly "Loved" you will have your work cut out for you if you want to wear it out. I would say just look at the ends of the doors where the linkage is connected to them. If they looked bent or banged up, I would pass. I picked up a bluetip on the bay a couple of months ago and it looked like someone was banging the poor thing on a counter. If you don't bang it, ( there really is no need to do that anyway) it should be fine and you shouldn't have any closing or alignment issues. The flare tip superspeed is more of a medium aggressiveness razor to me. The older superspeeds, like my '40s era superspeed is much milder and the first shave was like WOW! I was so impressed that a razor so old would provide such a nice shave. If you want a mild superspeed, I would recommend one of those. Pay close attention to the condition and if it looks like someone loved it, you should have some great shaves coming your way.
I have two Superspeeds--one my birth year, another I bought before that, but I don't use them. There's no mechanical problem with them, no worry about age or wearing out, none of that, but I just don't like them all that much for the shave they give, which is, uh, non assertive (read: nothing much happens except I get a lot of razor burn). I love the way they move and look. With the exception of plating problems, which should be obvious, they're basically made like tanks and foolproof. I bought a Weishi, however, and mine is junk, so it is possible to mess up a TTO if you try hard enough. Nevertheless, people like all of them. However, just about everyone likes an Edwin Jagger, and that was my first razor, AND I still like it just fine.
Your Mileage May Vary, but you'll find just about no negative comments about the EJ razors, and that's why it was my first, and why I still like it. If you buy a Superspeed, you won't have mechanical problems, though.
Your Mileage May Vary, but you'll find just about no negative comments about the EJ razors, and that's why it was my first, and why I still like it. If you buy a Superspeed, you won't have mechanical problems, though.
Last edited:
I have two TTO razors including one SS from ebay with no problems at all. I got the SS for less than $10 shipped and it is in very good condition. The seller will usually mention it if the TTO isn't working smoothly.
I've 'converted' a few people to DE wetshaving with SuperSpeeds. I think for most folks it's pretty much an ideal first razor.
I bought a Weishi. It looked nice in the pictures but it's too light and cheaply made. I dropped it while sitting and it bent. That sealed the deal...it's never getting near my face. I bought a 1970's SS for not much more and love it.
- Thread starter
- #17
Super Speeds are the shiznik.
I paid $12 delivered to my house for a Weishi. It is going in my traveler's bag, where weight does matter. Losing it also.
If I am using said bag, the shaving conditions may be stained, and or primitive (cold water etc). I wanted a mild, throw away cheapie.
I would not use a used SS off of E-Bay, Id have to send it out to be revamped for 50ish dollars. Unless I looked for a new or revamped one, which you cant touch for said $20.
Most everything from China is of inferior grade, Yet the "mart" stores sell billions of dollars of what most consider low grade. Normally I would agree with you, for the reasons stated above. I do think the $30 starter kits are a good buy, tho I would never buy one, or use one on a regular basis. Two of my buds have ordered these this week, I told them of the pit falls, yet $30 is less than they spend on a night out, so they can get started with training wheels for cheap.
Some new folks might like the idea of training wheel mild aggressiveness.
You cannot go wrong with the Gillette Super Speeds.
WARHAWK
WARHAWK
Similar threads
