Old Gillette

[my19]

I was in an antiques mall today looking for a vintage razor -- I was thinking a 1940s style Gillette Super Speed -- but no luck on that. They did have one Gillette kit, with a gold-color DE razor and two gold-color metal tubes in a leather-looking case.

It looked very much like the drawing in the attached ad, which seems to be a Gillette New Improved. Still not sure what those tubes are for ...

Anyway, I think the price was something like $95. Does that seem high or low or on target?

thanks for any guidance ... Mike

 

[AsylumGuido]

Depending upon the actual set and its condition it could be about right or too high. The tubes would hold a brush and a soap stick. Did it also have two blade cases? If not, that would affect the value. If they have it listed for $95 I am sure you could easily get it for $75 cash.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Depending upon the actual set and its condition it could be about right or too high. The tubes would hold a brush and a soap stick. Did it also have two blade cases? If not, that would affect the value. If they have it listed for $95 I am sure you could easily get it for $75 cash.

If it was the Traveler Set that you have pictured in the ad it would only have one blade case, though. Most other sets had two. One for new blades and one for used blades.

 

[my19]

Thanks for the information. I only looked at that set for a few moments, since I was focused on finding something else. Not sure about the blade case or cases, but the store is on my usual route, so I'll stop and take a closer look. If everything looks good, maybe I'll see if they'll take 75 bucks for it.

 

[AsylumGuido]

Thanks for the information. I only looked at that set for a few moments, since I was focused on finding something else. Not sure about the blade case or cases, but the store is on my usual route, so I'll stop and take a closer look. If everything looks good, maybe I'll see if they'll take 75 bucks for it.

I would offer $50 cash, myself, and see what they come back with. If it has been sitting on their shelf for an extended period that $50 might get a bite. At worst it will get their best deal which may be under $75. They probably picked it up at an estate sale many years earlier for $5.

 

[my19]

I would offer $50 cash, myself, and see what they come back with. If it has been sitting on their shelf for an extended period that $50 might get a bite. At worst it will get their best deal which may be under $75. They probably picked it up at an estate sale many years earlier for $5.

That sounds like a fine strategy. Come to think of it, the place didn't seem particularly busy when I was there.

Now for the big question: I've read that some of the the older Gillettes require a different technique than the Super Speeds and others. Since I don't actually shave with a DE yet, I guess that wouldn't be a huge problem. But how is the New Improved as a razor?

 

[r0ckrat]

But how is the New Improved as a razor?

It's great. Love them. Not really a different style then a super speed, just a tad more aggressive feeling. Grab an SS too.

 

[AsylumGuido]

That sounds like a fine strategy. Come to think of it, the place didn't seem particularly busy when I was there.

Now for the big question: I've read that some of the the older Gillettes require a different technique than the Super Speeds and others. Since I don't actually shave with a DE yet, I guess that wouldn't be a huge problem. But how is the New Improved as a razor?

The New Improved is my second favorite model of razor. The NEW DeLuxe is my first. You can't go wrong with it.

 

[my19]

Thanks, RR .... I'll definitely grab an SS. At first, I thought of buying one of the contemporary razors. But after reading a lot here, I decided a Tech or an SS would be the way to get into DE shaving ... and hopefully leaving my face largely intact.

Mike

 

[my19]

Thanks for the encouragement, AG. I did like that gold plating!