I've just bought a birth year Super Speed!

[Feek]

I don't quite know what to expect but I've just bought a 1966 Gillette Super Speed. Sadly it won't arrive in time for my birthday next week but I'm really quite excited about this. The pictures looked good and it was a spur of the moment purchase.

Is there any knack in using a vintage razor like this or anything I should be aware of before I lather up and go for it?

 

[ERVARGASNY]

First if all Congrats )

Don't put the blade in Backwards

jK there is no incorrect way to put in the blade . Just clean the razor in hot soapy water, "Do Not" Boil razor. Then clean with some scrubbing bubbles, this way its sanatized. When shaving dont use any pressure on the razod let the weight of the razor do the work. Also for the first 2 weeks try and stick with a two pass, 1st WTG 2nd XTG this way you dont irritate the skin, stick with one type of blade for the first 2 weeks so skin can adjust to it.

 

[Feek]

I've been shaving with an EJ DE89L for the last two months and I can cope with a Feather blade ATG with no hint of irritation or soreness so is the Super Speed so much more agressive that I need to be that careful?

 

[mistercitizen]

I've been shaving with an EJ DE89L for the last two months and I can cope with a Feather blade ATG with no hint of irritation or soreness so is the Super Speed so much more agressive that I need to be that careful?

A 1966 Gillette Super Speed is a very mild shaver. You should have no problems going from the EJ DE89 to the Super Speed. I love Feathers in my Super Speeds. I would be willing to bet that you will find the Super Speed to be as smooth or smoother than the EJ DE89. For me, Gillette's TTO head on the Super Speeds just make for a very effortless and irritation free shave. Congratulations by the way!

Ben

 

[ben416]

congrats feek,
im still looking for my birth quarter razor

 

[Feek]

Oh, I didn't realise they were coded down to quarters - This is an L1 so I guess it's Q1 from 1966?

 

[mistercitizen]

Oh, I didn't realise they were coded down to quarters - This is an L1 so I guess it's Q1 from 1966?

L1 = 1966, first quarter

Yes. If your birthday is next week you would be looking for an L4 date code for the proper birthyear/quarter. L1 is still your birthyear though.

Ben

 

[SteveWY]

congrats feek,
im still looking for my birth quarter razor

Benny, thanks for the PM on the C3! What is your birth year/quarter? I will keep my eyes open for you.

 

[celestino]

Congratulations and good luck with the shaves!

 

[NCJack]

Used my SS today, an instinctive feeling razor for me. And I just like TTO

 

[nemo]

I don't quite know what to expect but I've just bought a 1966 Gillette Super Speed. Sadly it won't arrive in time for my birthday next week but I'm really quite excited about this. The pictures looked good and it was a spur of the moment purchase.

Is there any knack in using a vintage razor like this or anything I should be aware of before I lather up and go for it?

Good show! '66 is a nice SS, a little flatter head than earlier models. Let us know how it goes for you.

 

[Feek]

Ta da!







Very clean and exactly as described, I'll use it this evening with the one Gillette Blue blade that I got as part of a PIF as it seems an appropriate blade to use. I do have a couple of packs of Gillette 7 o'clock yellow but I didn't like those in a DE89L.

 

[smokeydave]

Feek I have the English version and you are in for a treat a mild shave mind you,however you should try a astra.
Congratulations and enjoy

With your New addition ​

 

[jaredsmith83]

An Astra in that will be wonderful. I've got a 65 model, love that combination. Congrats on finding a birth year ss!

 

[Feek]

Well I've shaved - I face lathered Proraso Green and got an almighty lather but I only managed three strokes with the Gillette blade before I had to change it to a blue/red ASCO. The Gillette blade felt terrible, tugging and nasty.

With the ASCO I did my usual three passes and a touch up and I have an almost perfect BBS shave with just one tiny patch below my right ear feeling a little rough in one direction but that's me being critical. Amazing to think that this thing is older than me (by a few months).

 

[tfinch]

Congratulations on finding your BYR. Glad to hear the shave was good too. Super Speeds are my reliable go to razors for a shave when I'm short on time. They just feel so intuitive, almost like they find the angle on their own.