Bottom line is if your one of the group that don’t get desired results from Vintage Gillette.
Find something you like, that works, and repot back via NEW POST.
Find something you like, that works, and repot back via NEW POST.
These two statements are a little contradictory.
Either these razors are extremely easy to use, or there’s a code to crack. Can’t be both.
I think the problem is chasing BBS. I am sure millions of people were happy with just getting a socially acceptable shave. It’s when I am trying to get a BBS quality shave that I have issues.
I am getting better with Pre-War Tech. But the post-war one... no luck. Just too mild.
It co-existed with Flare Tip Superspeeds, which I think are great shavers. (And of course the adjustables). So clearly there was an attempt to provide the customers with at least three different options for finding the best razor that worked for them.That's a pretty common opinion about the post-war Tech.
For me, the mildness had the opposite effect to what you might think--I was pressing harder and getting horrible razor burn. Now that I've learned more about how to use it, I'm up to a comfortable DFS shave with a Feather in it.
I think it was made to produce a "safe" everyday shave, not a perfect one, at a time when facial hair was not socially acceptable and "days off" were impossible. However, there are certainly gents here who achieve BBS with their post-wars. It was also designed to be cheaper to manufacture than the NEW had been.
It co-existed with Flare Tip Superspeeds, which I think are great shavers. (And of course the adjustables). So clearly there was an attempt to provide the customers with at least three different options for finding the best razor that worked for them.
The flare tips are also very mild and a tad less efficient than my modern razors, but the needle was moved towards efficiency just far enough that I can still get a BBS shave using a sharp blade without all the extra scrubbing and irritation. So with the Tech, the mildness doesn't offset the poor quality of shave (DFS is not good enough for me when I can get an effortless BBS with a Variant, sorry). With Superspeeds, the mildness is great because it also comes with the ability to get BBS.
I could never get a decent shave with the vintage Gillettes. That's why i like the modern razors.I have absolutely no problems getting a great shave with a variety of modern razors. Two Parker Variants (original and OC), three Baili razors (the mild BD176, the slightly less mild BD179 TTO, and med-aggressive BT131), Maggard V3A (the blade exposure looks scary but it's an excellent and forgiving shaver), Muhle R41 (for me it's too aggressive for everyday shaving, skin starts to burn after a few days, but I can absolutely get a good shave out of it anytime).
I have no such luck with my vintage Gillettes. Specifically, let's talk Super 109.
I tried it again this morning. Very, very carefully watching the shave angle and pressure. Setting it to 7. Using a sharp blade (Bic). Carefully applying lather. I did get BBS but it still required a few extra passes, and now my throat and under the chin areas are somewhat irritated.
With, say, Maggard I just do three passes with minimal cleanup and no irritation.
I am starting to think that this razor is just too mild for me and no matter what I do, it will not get better. Either I don't do all that extra cleanup and don't get the shave quality I am looking for, or I get irritation.
Same with the post-war Tech. It's super mild and will not irritate at all, but it will not provide the clean efficient shave I am used to unless I go extra length trying to get BBS.
Just wondering if anyone had realized that these post-war Gillettes are just too mild for them, or if there's a few tricks I did not try yet.
Well did you read my last post ?I could never get a decent shave with the vintage Gillettes. That's why i like the modern razors.
Glad to read this. I was about to suggest that the original title was too broad. There are quite a few vintage Gillettes out there and some will work better than others.Well, chiming in to say that I went on a small shopping spree, bought 5 different vintage Gillettes (6 actually but two were identical) and four of them give me good to great shaves, with one (40's style Superspeed) being a bit temperamental and sometimes "angry".
The ones that I love using:
1972 Super 84. It shaves better than my 1971 Super 109, most likely because of different balance. It's a very nimble shaver.
1956 Flare tip Superspeed. Mild yet efficient.
1967 Black handle Superspeed. Very similar to the older one, a bit lighter.
1962 Slim Adjustable.
I am getting better with Pre-War Tech. But the post-war one... no luck. Just too mild.
Same here. I use a variety of razors, new and old, with Wizamet blades. But whenever I bring out the Fatboy, it just blows everything else away.Just bought a 109 Super Adjustable at an antique store two hours ago. Looking forward to my first go with it.
I think my best shave to date was two months ago, Fatboy with Derby Premium. BBS with no, I mean NO, alum or AS feedback. I didn't think that was possible.
Dude, you gotta shave with the Y2 and post delicious pictures.I now only have 3 razors I haven't used: My mother's two Schick injectors (G4 and G8) and my 1953 Y2 Super Speed. I really need to use that one. I just had it re-plated by Chris @ Back Roads Gold in white platinum. It isn't perfect, as Chris noted, but it's certainly shave-worthy. @luvmysuper gifted it to me during a PIF he did for @Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker some time ago. He gifted all of us who entered a SuperSpeed and mine just happened to be my year and quarter razor. As the guy who taught me the carpentry trade used to say: "More dumb luck than good management."
I'll get to it "soon".... Here are the group photos I took of the 4 razors Chris re-plated for me:Dude, you gotta shave with the Y2 and post delicious pictures.
As you know, we're the same age. I shaved with my Y2 a couple of weeks ago, right before my birthday and I got really lucky because it's literally pristine and one of the best razors I have, new or vintage.
But I can't imagine it with a white Platinum plating. Holy!
Drop a blade in that puppy and give us a report!
And Happy Birthday, my friend.![]()