My DE Razor Rankings

[mistercitizen]

My current ranking of the DE razors I own, from favorite to use to least favorite to use:

1. 1953 (Y2) Gillette President (knurled lower band)
2. 1973 (T2) Gillette Super Adjustable (short handle)
3. 1953 (Y2) Gillette 40's style Super Speed (replated in rhodium)
4. Merkur 37c Slant
5. 1938-45 Gillette Fat Handle Tech (tungsten putty in handle)
6. 2011 Muhle R41
7. NDC Gillette 40's style Super Speed
8. 1961 (G2) Gillette Fatboy Adjustable
9. 1952 (X1) Gillette 40's style Black Tip Super Speed
10. Gillette Canadian Fat Handle Tech
11. Merkur 34c
12. 1930's Gillette Big Boy Chromium Deluxe New Short Open Comb
13. Muhle R89 / Edwin Jagger DE89
14. 1926 Gillette Tuckaway New Improved Open Comb
15. 1956 (B2) Gillette Heavy Red Tip Super Speed
16. 1956 (B2) Gillette Regular Flare Tip Super Speed
17. 1968 (N2) Gillette Slim Adjustable
18. 50's style Gillette British Flare Tip Rocket
19. 1958 (D2) Gillette TV Special Super Speed
20. 1963 (I3) Gillette Regular Flare Tip Super Speed
21. 1959 (E3) Gillette Regular Flare Tip Super Speed
22. 1960 (F1) Gillette Regular Flare Tip Super Speed
23. 1976 (W1) Gillette Super Adjustable (long handle)
24. 1930's Gillette New Long Open Comb / Otto Roth New Long Open Comb
25. 1957 (C1) Gillette Mild Blue Tip Super Speed
26. 1930's Gillette New Short Open Comb
27. 1913 ABC Empire Pocket Edition Old Type
28. 1976 (W1) Gillette Black Handle Super Speed

Ben

 

[mistercitizen]

Man, I never thought I would have that many razors. For about 6 months all I had was the EJ DE89, the Muhle R89, and the Merkur 34C..... then I got my first Super Speed and I was off to the races. This coming year I plan on trying out some of the modern stainless steel razors to see how they compare to these. Still...... no interest in straight razors (unbelievable).

Ben

 

[raposo III]

test muhle r41,is great.this week i used only fatip grande open comb.so fine too.

 

[mistercitizen]

test muhle r41,is great.this week i used only fatip grande open comb.so fine too.

Yes, I've got the R41 at number 6) on my list. I really enjoy using that razor. I use it when I want an extremely close shave while only going WTG and XTG. As long as I take it slow and easy I have nothing but success with the R41. I very seldom hurt myself with the R41 while performing an actual shaving stroke.... it's usually when I'm repositioning the head of the razor for the next stroke while being a little careless. That's when I'll nick myself. Razor burn and irritation have never been much of a problem though with the R41 which is why I have it ranked so high on my list.

I've yet to try the Fatip. That's one that's been on my "To Try" list for a while....

Ben

 

[celestino]

Wow, Ben, an impressive collection!

 

[mistercitizen]

Wow, Ben, an impressive collection!

Thank you my friend. At some point I found myself acquiring so many different razors, mostly vintage Gillettes, and not being able to shave with each one fast enough. It's tough when you can pick up most of these for less than $20 shipped on the bay, and many times even cheaper when you buy a lot of 3 or 4 razors. I got very fascinated with the different versions of the Super Speed because I found the Gillette solid guard bar with the TTO mechanism to be such a great shaver for me. I just got to thinking today "how would I rank everything I've got?". I had enough shaves with everything to at least have a pretty good feeling of where I stand with them. Some I enjoy shaving with because they are smooth shavers, some because they are close, some because they are aggressive, some because of how they feel in my hand, and some just because they are stunning to look at.

Ben

 

[facetime]

Hey Ben, I'd likely be happy to take that 1913 Pocket Edition off your hands since it is languishing in next to last place. That is actually my father's birth year and could be a neat addition.
please let me know when you have an interest in selling it.
thanks, marty

 

[mistercitizen]

Hey Ben, I'd likely be happy to take that 1913 Pocket Edition off your hands since it is languishing in next to last place. That is actually my father's birth year and could be a neat addition.
please let me know when you have an interest in selling it.
thanks, marty

Ha, you noticed that did you? Ironically, it's probably the one I spent the most money on. It's in great shape and I have the basketweave case and razor blade holder to go with it. The case is in great shape too. I only put it so low because I feel it's a very inefficient shaver. I can get a good shave with it, but it takes me about 5 passes and using the perfect blade angle the entire time. I guess the other reason it ranks so low on my list is because I have only shaved with it maybe 3 or 4 times. Maybe because it's so old and in such good shape I am afraid to use it too much so I grab for the more user grade stuff first.

Well, I'll keep you in mind Marty if I ever feel like letting it go. It's turning 100 years old this year though and I am thinking about throwing it a huge party so I think I will hold onto it for a while longer. Who knows, maybe it will move up the list this year. The really sad thing is that my own birthyear/quarter razor is in last place. The black handle Super Speed. I have two of them with cases and appropriate blade dispensers and everything. When the day comes I will give one to each of my two sons who are now 8 and 11 years old..... I think I'll just hold on to my birthyear/quarter Super Adjustable for myself.

Ben

 

[facetime]

Funny my birth year situation is similar. I finally found full sets of the '47 Milord and Superspeed and Aristo ('46-'47?) and pretty much never use them - just display them with some vintage ads from that year, while i reach for one of my open combs. go figure.
I am holding off on using my father's birth year single ring until his actual 100th birth date in August.

 

[mistercitizen]

I am holding off on using my father's birth year single ring until his actual 100th birth date in August.

That's very neat. I'm pretty lucky in that my dad was born in '52 (X1) and my mom in '53 (Y2) so you will notice those years up at the top of my list. There are quite a few British Gillettes from those two years on my "To Get" list and a few weeks ago on the bay I got outbid on a very rare (from what I understand) 1952 (X1) Gillette Milord. It actually had the X1 date code on it.... basically looks like a gold Super Speed. I was so upset. I was the high bid for the entire week and then in the last seconds I couldn't secure it with a winning bid. It did not have a case.... just the razor.... but it was in excellent condition and I bet it's a really smooth shaver.

Ben

 

[facetime]

Well the Milords and the 40's style superspeeds are surely smooth shavers. I'll keep you in mind if I stumble across a '52 (or '53) Milord one day.
happy hunting and all the best for the new year.

 

[mdevine]

It's sounded like a good exercise, and it encouraged me to rate the ones I still use.

1. Weber Bulldog ARC
2. Fat handled Tech (pre-war)
3. NDC Superspeed
4. Rocket HD
5. #15
6. Senator
7. Ball-end Tech
8. New
9. New Standard
10. Tuckaway
11. Slim Adjustable
12. Diplomat
13. Parker 65R

Too new to tell- my New Norfolk Chrome

 

[mistercitizen]

Well the Milords and the 40's style superspeeds are surely smooth shavers. I'll keep you in mind if I stumble across a '52 (or '53) Milord one day.
happy hunting and all the best for the new year.

Thank you Marty.... best to you as well.

Ben

 

[mistercitizen]

Oops. Forgot my Ball End Tech..... it's gotta be somewhere in the middle. I like the heft of the ball end handle.

Ben

 

[OldSaw]

I find it interesting that you ranked the 40's Superspeed above the DE89. I have several 40's Superspeeds and like them very much. However, since I got a DE89 I have hardly used any of my 40's style razors. I would say they are both very good razors and I prefer the convenience of the TTO, but the heft of the DE89 seems to win me over.

 

[mistercitizen]

I find it interesting that you ranked the 40's Superspeed above the DE89. I have several 40's Superspeeds and like them very much. However, since I got a DE89 I have hardly used any of my 40's style razors. I would say they are both very good razors and I prefer the convenience of the TTO, but the heft of the DE89 seems to win me over.

It is funny how YMMV is. I started out with the EJ DE89 and since I got a 40's Super Speed I don't think I've touched my EJ. For me, the TTO head just feels natural and easy. That probably shows in how I ranked my razors.... with most of the three piece and open combs toward the middle to end of the list. I honestly think I can get a closer shave with an EJ DE89 over a Super Speed, but with more concentration and focus on the blade angle. I should use the EJ DE89 again.... it's been quite a while. It was my very first DE razor. I like hefty handles as well.

Ben

 

[kcenorez]

This is a fascinating list, thanks for sharing!
I have a slim on the way but currently have only used my Merkur 23c and EJ DE89. Just got the DE89 so I'm not sure how I'd rate the two of them, but I like the feel of the DE89 better for the heft and shorter handle. I would definitely like to try some SS/Gillettes when I get the chance, after all the great things I've read about them.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[mistercitizen]

This is a fascinating list, thanks for sharing!
I have a slim on the way but currently have only used my Merkur 23c and EJ DE89. Just got the DE89 so I'm not sure how I'd rate the two of them, but I like the feel of the DE89 better for the heft and shorter handle. I would definitely like to try some SS/Gillettes when I get the chance, after all the great things I've read about them.

Anyway, thanks again!

Hey, no problem. The list for me can be viewed as somewhat "archival" so I can have a record and date of what my feeling where at any given time.... but I thought it might be interesting to see what others think about it as well. Old superspeeds are great and can be found in spades on the bay or on B/S/T. I highly recommend getting a 40's style to start out and go from there. When I first used the TTO mechanism on the Super Speed I thought to myself "That guy at Gillette who invented this must've been a genius". Not just for the concept, but for the design. Not a close shaver IMO, but one of the smoothest and safest out there. With a Super Speed, I've given myself a little irritation from tugging when shaving ATG, a little razor burn from too many passes, but I've never cut myself like I have with an open comb razor or any other three piece razor for that matter. Be sure to treat yourself to one someday.

Ben

 

[Haggises]

Hmmm. Putting any last seems like a disservice - there's not much gap between best and worst. Except the Tech. I may actively dislike the Tech.

Single Ring
Slim
40s SS
Old type head/Fat handled Tech handle Frankenrazor
20s Pocket Old type
Milord
Blue tip SS
TTO Aristocrat
New Long Comb
Super Adjustable
Fat handled Tech

and while I'm at it:

ER 1914
ER 1912
GEM G-Bar
Schick C
GEM Flying Wing
GEM 1912 Damaskeene
(DEs start about here)
Schick M adjustable
PAL Injector
Schick G
GEM MMOC
GEM Clog-Pruf
Star Lather Catcher

 

[kcenorez]

Hey, no problem. The list for me can be viewed as somewhat "archival" so I can have a record and date of what my feeling where at any given time.... but I thought it might be interesting to see what others think about it as well. Old superspeeds are great and can be found in spades on the bay or on B/S/T. I highly recommend getting a 40's style to start out and go from there. When I first used the TTO mechanism on the Super Speed I thought to myself "That guy at Gillette who invented this must've been a genius". Not just for the concept, but for the design. Not a close shaver IMO, but one of the smoothest and safest out there. With a Super Speed, I've given myself a little irritation from tugging when shaving ATG, a little razor burn from too many passes, but I've never cut myself like I have with an open comb razor or any other three piece razor for that matter. Be sure to treat yourself to one someday.

Ben

Thanks for the tip! I have a slim adjustable on the way, which i'm pumped to try out, but I will keep an eye on the BST for a 40s SS.