Razor For My Son

[DaveyT]

Hello everyone. I would like to purchase a razor for my son. I personally am using a 1955 Gillette Super Speed flare tip. I absolutely love it and it was very forgiving when I was first starting out.

Now, on to my question. My son was born in 2010 (I know, I am looking for a razor a little early!) and I would like to buy him a birth year razor. But, instead of 2010, I was thinking a 1910. I would like to make it something that when it is given to him that it is somewhat rare and something that will definitely hold up. How do the Super Speeds in the 1910 year range perform? Is there much of a difference between them and the mid 50s versions?

Thank you to every one in advance for your advice!

 

[russhatch]

I am pretty sure there aren't any super speeds in 1910, but that is a good idea going back 100 years from his birth. Here is the wiki link to gillettes
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

 

[gmgaj]

I didn't have the 100 year or birth year option, so I started my son with a flair tip and a Gem 1912 SE along with a restored brush that I did for him. He prefers the SE razor, and that is the one he uses most of the time. I may have to get it replated for him. My other son is a couple of years away, but he'll probably end up with the same setup.

 

[DaveyT]

Thank you both for the replies. I want to make this something special for him.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

If you are looking for a 1910 that limits you to the Gillette old type if you want to go Gillette. There are some SE options in that age range I'll check my collection when I get home and see what I find. I have a few odd ball razors that I have not seen again that are from that era. You should not have a problem finding a Gillette old type considering the amount of time you have.

Regards
Dave

 

[ChiefBroom]

Nice idea, but I don't think I'd start my son out on an Old Type. I gave mine a 58 TV Special, which is probably about the same as your Super. It was an early favorite of mine, before I got on into British TTOs and ultimately LC NEWs, and I still use it occasionally. I've since given my son an HD Rocket (my birth year, more-or-less), but I think the 58 TV Special remains his go-to razor.

IMO, it's hard to beat a good Super to start out with. I'm not a fan of adjustable. Too much too fiddle with, and I don't like the increased head volume and weight.

I'm also a fan of the humble, Fat-handled Tech as a starter tool, although they require greater care in blade handling.

 

[DrAwkward]

<snip>

I'm also a fan of the humble, Fat-handled Tech as a starter tool, although they require greater care in blade handling.

+1
I gave my son a pre-war Tech head with a fat handle (I think I mixed and matched). Very forgiving and easy to replace if he loses it. In a few years, I may give him a NEW ...

 

[Mr5x5]

You might just go back 50 years and get him something from then. You can't go wrong with a Tech. I got my son a cased Krona as a first razor. You can't get much milder than that.