Gents, wanted to share my very first shave experiences with this most handsome razor.
After wetshaving with carts for 30 years I started with DE’s 3 years ago. Since then I’ve shaved with 100+ different vintage razors (I am firmly in the vintage camp) and I have identified my clear preferences: I want mild shaves, 3 nick free passes with a Feather blade, and preferably with a TTO and solid bar razor. There you go, short, sweet, clear: I am a softie
This razor has neither of these caracteristics. But still I have always admired its looks from afar. And as I have literally fewer and fewer vintages razor models to try out it stirred my interest when my good buddy Thomas (@It’s Hedley) suddenly posted a rave shave review of it here on B&B. Because I know from many good dialogues and various razor exchanges that Thomas and I are in the same shave preference ballpark.
So when this handsome and great condition example came up on the bay (I believe a 17 milimeter version as the baseplate measures 17mm between the teeth) I thought what the heck, I’m feeling adventurous, let’s give it a go!
THE SHAVE
And let me immediately conclude: I concur fully with Thomas’ findings: This puppy is a keeper. It is probably one of the most efficient razors I ever tried, but at the same time it is remarkably smooth and the blade feel is quite tolerable.
But first things first, let’s take a closer look at it before shaving: In hand this Gillette is a beast, a lot heavier than you would think (it weighs in at 77 grams but feels even heavier) but it is definitely a gorgeous looking beast. That handle pattern is so artistic and unique and the chromium shines like the ballroom at Jay Gatsby’s mansion. Amazing really for a 90 year old razor.
I loaded it up with a Feather on its 2nd day and went to town. After the first couple of strokes WTG I stopped and reflected. Very very good start, smooth and the heft of the razor makes it natural to not apply any pressure. I experimented with angles and find that you get very different feel as you vary the angle, I need a few more shaves under my belt to hit the right angle right away.
First pass went like a charm, second pass also. The balance and grip of this razor is very good indeed. During the third pass I was thinking that this razor probably would benefit (on my face) on only doing 2 passes, as it started to feel pretty close. But still nice.
Final result: Extremely close shave, no nicks, redness, or anything negative. A bit of sting on the application of aftershave (I am a menthol nut also) but still nothing too bad. Very nice actually. As I write this I have a wonderful face feel.
In conclusion I really like this razor. It is definitely not mild as a Super-Speed, Rocket or Tech, not even as mild as my beloved first generation open comb British Aristocrats. And for my face it probably cuts too close to use it as a daily 3-pass driver. But smooth as an Aristocrat it definitely is.
I think (and it seems that Thomas would concur) that this is a perfect razor for that slow, wonderful, appreciative King Gillette weekend shave.
Happy shaves, fellas.
After wetshaving with carts for 30 years I started with DE’s 3 years ago. Since then I’ve shaved with 100+ different vintage razors (I am firmly in the vintage camp) and I have identified my clear preferences: I want mild shaves, 3 nick free passes with a Feather blade, and preferably with a TTO and solid bar razor. There you go, short, sweet, clear: I am a softie
This razor has neither of these caracteristics. But still I have always admired its looks from afar. And as I have literally fewer and fewer vintages razor models to try out it stirred my interest when my good buddy Thomas (@It’s Hedley) suddenly posted a rave shave review of it here on B&B. Because I know from many good dialogues and various razor exchanges that Thomas and I are in the same shave preference ballpark.
So when this handsome and great condition example came up on the bay (I believe a 17 milimeter version as the baseplate measures 17mm between the teeth) I thought what the heck, I’m feeling adventurous, let’s give it a go!
THE SHAVE
And let me immediately conclude: I concur fully with Thomas’ findings: This puppy is a keeper. It is probably one of the most efficient razors I ever tried, but at the same time it is remarkably smooth and the blade feel is quite tolerable.
But first things first, let’s take a closer look at it before shaving: In hand this Gillette is a beast, a lot heavier than you would think (it weighs in at 77 grams but feels even heavier) but it is definitely a gorgeous looking beast. That handle pattern is so artistic and unique and the chromium shines like the ballroom at Jay Gatsby’s mansion. Amazing really for a 90 year old razor.
I loaded it up with a Feather on its 2nd day and went to town. After the first couple of strokes WTG I stopped and reflected. Very very good start, smooth and the heft of the razor makes it natural to not apply any pressure. I experimented with angles and find that you get very different feel as you vary the angle, I need a few more shaves under my belt to hit the right angle right away.
First pass went like a charm, second pass also. The balance and grip of this razor is very good indeed. During the third pass I was thinking that this razor probably would benefit (on my face) on only doing 2 passes, as it started to feel pretty close. But still nice.
Final result: Extremely close shave, no nicks, redness, or anything negative. A bit of sting on the application of aftershave (I am a menthol nut also) but still nothing too bad. Very nice actually. As I write this I have a wonderful face feel.
In conclusion I really like this razor. It is definitely not mild as a Super-Speed, Rocket or Tech, not even as mild as my beloved first generation open comb British Aristocrats. And for my face it probably cuts too close to use it as a daily 3-pass driver. But smooth as an Aristocrat it definitely is.
I think (and it seems that Thomas would concur) that this is a perfect razor for that slow, wonderful, appreciative King Gillette weekend shave.
Happy shaves, fellas.
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