Ok just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the President model pros and cons.
Thanks
Thanks
Gillette El Presidente
- Thread starter tlentz
- Start date
Pros - It is awesome
Cons - They are getting very expensive
Cons - They are getting very expensive
They all look wonderful IMO, not sure if they shave differently than their counterparts, i.e. the 1948-50 Aristocrat shaves similarly to the 1953 President.
Or were you referring to this President? Here it is compared to a New De Luxe Traveler.
Or were you referring to this President? Here it is compared to a New De Luxe Traveler.
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I"m with Taco. While they look different plating wise, I get the same shave and feel from both.
- Thread starter
- #6
Now those are some sharp razors! No Pun Intended!
When I got my grandfathers president I wanted one of each. Along with the senator and the aristocrats as well. Wish in one hand so they say. BTW I never had a shave with it it just sits in its box comes out from time to time. I remember he had it in his dresser. But it's the only thing I have of his.
I've shaved with it's sister the Diplomat and a regular Aristocrat and I found no difference in the shave.
My 1953 Y2 is my favorite overall DE razor. Very similar to the photo from Mr. Razor that Taco posted above with the exception that mine has the knurled band above the TTO knob instead of the smooth band. The Rhodium finish is beautiful and it's a smooth shaver. Nice heft too.
Ben
Ben
I never shaved with a president, but I do have a diplomat. Get really great shaves from it.
A Y2 president is my dads birth year razor so id like to own a nice one in the future. Im fine with what I have now 
The President is a nice looking set, but it loses a lot of its appeal without the case. It also shaves no differently than a $15 Super Speed. But if you are collecting razors, I'd go for a cased one if that's what you want.
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I would agree with this for the most part. They aren't really much different shavers than a 40's style superspeed. The biggest differences are going to be the knurling on the handle being more substantial (grippy) than a superspeed, the weight is a little heavier, the handle is a little thicker, and of course the finish is nicer on a President. In the end, I don't feel that those differences affect the shave.... but the President does feel different to me in my hand while I'm shaving compared to a superspeed. I also agree that the appeal of the President goes up exponentially with the case in good condition and the appropriate Gillette Blue Blade dispenser that would've been sold with it new. The original box and instructions make it even more highly sought after by collectors. My President is my mother's birthyear/quarter.... so it has sentimental meaning to me. Otherwise, it may not be one of my favorites. I'd also like to get a No. 66 Coronation Set Aristocrat someday which is the same year (1953).... that would definitely dethrone my President as my favorite.
Ben
I find that the President and Diplomat shave very similarly. Supposedly they are the same razor, just with different finishes. For me, they are a little more aggressive than the Aristocrat, which is very similar the the 40s SS. My main razor any more is the President, followed closely by the Aristocrat.
I have all three siblings, and they shave the same. They do not remind me of a SS at all, though. I like their thick handle and heft much better than the SS. If anything, they remind me of a Red Tip. As for which of the three to get, well wasn't the president the only US made Gillette that was Rhodium plated? If you like rhodium better than gold plating, get the Pres.
Or replate an '46/'47 Aristocrat in Rhodium like I did.
Fantastic razor love mine.
