My favorite is a 1911 single ring that I revived a year or so ago. Got it for $20 on eBay. Seller said it had spent 60 years outside in a big barrel of scrap.
"Must Have" vintage safety razors
- Thread starter Silver Badger
- Start date
I would say that only one is really a MUST HAVE...
Gillette Slim or Fatboy.
Gillette Slim or Fatboy.
I would have also said the slim, but the New LC may get my vote today
My collection (thus far) is a Merkur 180 (2013), Slim Adjustable (1966-handed down from my Dad), GEM MMCC (40's vintage), Gillette New bar handle (30's vintage) and a recently acquired 1912 GEM Damaskene. I have found that the older razors, especially the "New" give the best shaves. Kind of sad that the trend today is for more blades, when an SE and a DE from almost a century ago will give BBS shaves if you pick your blades/soap and take a few extra minutes with your shave.
I'm torn between a Red Tip and the classic Single Ring.
For Shaving...
Old Type
Super Speed Red
Fatboy
For Looking (and emptying your wallet)...
Toggle
President
Old Type
Super Speed Red
Fatboy
For Looking (and emptying your wallet)...
Toggle
President
NEW Long Comb with a bar handle
Red tip SS
40s SS
any Tech
Red tip SS
40s SS
any Tech
Every open comb Gillette.
Old Type
New Improved
NEW
Old Type
New Improved
NEW
No open comb TTOs?
I let my Senator go because I just couldn't get it to shave as closely as a NEW Deluxe.
I just acquired a near mint #66 and it gives me a stonking shave. It knocks my flare tip rocket, #58 and EJ DE89 into a tin hat. A wonderful shave and a great looking piece of hardware.
I cannot believe that a razor with the same patent number on the head as 2 of my other Gillette's can shave so much more smoothly and closely.
I cannot believe that a razor with the same patent number on the head as 2 of my other Gillette's can shave so much more smoothly and closely.
Major thread bump:
Not in any order of preference:
1) Gillette Red Tip Rocket
2) Gillette 1940s no date code Super Speed
3) Gillette "Old Type" I use a Star Brand vintage brass handle- looks and works great
4) 1930s English 7 o'clock brand medium comb, brass/nickel- precursor to the "Gillette New Type"
5) Gillette "New Type" short comb
Anyone care to follow?
Not in any order of preference:
1) Gillette Red Tip Rocket
2) Gillette 1940s no date code Super Speed
3) Gillette "Old Type" I use a Star Brand vintage brass handle- looks and works great
4) 1930s English 7 o'clock brand medium comb, brass/nickel- precursor to the "Gillette New Type"
5) Gillette "New Type" short comb
Anyone care to follow?
Challenge accepted. But dang there are many!
At least these for me - in prioritized order:
Hybrid Tech
Aristocrat #66/#70
New RFB 2-piece
Eclipse Red Ring
Bohin adjustable
Henso
1941 Ranger Tech
Darwin Deluxe
Slim adjustable
Apollo Mikron adjustable
Any and all Rockets bar none
At least these for me - in prioritized order:
Hybrid Tech
Aristocrat #66/#70
New RFB 2-piece
Eclipse Red Ring
Bohin adjustable
Henso
1941 Ranger Tech
Darwin Deluxe
Slim adjustable
Apollo Mikron adjustable
Any and all Rockets bar none
no order, but:
1) Gillette Sheraton
2) Eclipse Red Ring
3) Gillette Slim
4) Gillette Rocket HD
5) Gem Open Comb Micromatic
1) Gillette Sheraton
2) Eclipse Red Ring
3) Gillette Slim
4) Gillette Rocket HD
5) Gem Open Comb Micromatic
Late entry:
Gillette HD 500 Rocket.
I used it about a year ago but wasn't getting very close shaves with it. I tried it last week with a Gillette Sharp Edge (yellow pack) and adjusted my angle a bit- made all the difference. Now I'm getting BBS shaves. I love the weight of it too. I've seen the Eclipse Red Ring on Ebay. Is it brass/nickel? How is the shave compared to some of the other vintage DEs mentioned above. Also, what were the years of production?
Thanks Much!
Gillette HD 500 Rocket.
I used it about a year ago but wasn't getting very close shaves with it. I tried it last week with a Gillette Sharp Edge (yellow pack) and adjusted my angle a bit- made all the difference. Now I'm getting BBS shaves. I love the weight of it too. I've seen the Eclipse Red Ring on Ebay. Is it brass/nickel? How is the shave compared to some of the other vintage DEs mentioned above. Also, what were the years of production?
Thanks Much!
Something with an open comb, a 30's-50's TTO, a GEM Micromatic from 1930, and a Schick E Type from the '30's. Four razors.
Well sure, I'll keep this 7 year old thread alive.
In order of preference:
British Fat Handle Tech
Aristocrat Jr.
Prewar Fat Handle Tech
Rocket HD
Slim
In order of preference:
British Fat Handle Tech
Aristocrat Jr.
Prewar Fat Handle Tech
Rocket HD
Slim
tankerjohn
A little poofier than I prefer
Lots of great vintage razors out there. I think the true "must haves" are the ones that have personal meaning or significance to you. Your Grandpa's razor. Your birthyear razor (or your dad's). A Slim for the James Bond fan. A Fatboy for the Harley guy. Stuff like that.
For significance then,
O4 Gold Super Adjustable (one of our "family" razors and the one I learned on)
I3 Slim (birth year and quarter)
C2 Ball-end Tech (another "family" razor)
The Shaving Company TTO (my daughter bought that for me)
Three of the above I didn't spend a dime. The other (slim) I paid $20 and feel comfortable.
O4 Gold Super Adjustable (one of our "family" razors and the one I learned on)
I3 Slim (birth year and quarter)
C2 Ball-end Tech (another "family" razor)
The Shaving Company TTO (my daughter bought that for me)
Three of the above I didn't spend a dime. The other (slim) I paid $20 and feel comfortable.
