Should I have gotten a vintage Gillette razor? (and which one?

[Eeyore]

I bought my first razor not too long ago, a Mühle R89, and I love it. However, I keep doubting if I made the right choice ...

• I've been reading that modern razors are made of a zinc alloy, that won't last a lifetime when the plating is gone. Since I value lifetime products (e.g. my old Omega watch, and my vintage fountain pens), this is an ~irrational~ concern to me.
• I love vintage things, especially produced before the mid-1960's, for the history, and often the quality feel.

So while I love the Mühle, I keep thinking that I should have gone the vintage route. Is it too early to switch (so would you recommend me to shave 3 months with the Mühle first)? If not, what would be a good starting Gillette? It should not be more aggressive than the Mühle, it should be made of brass, and it should be able to survive me.

Last but not least ... what would be the best route for a novice user? Placing a WTB ad in the BST section? Or waiting what comes along?

Oh yes, and how do I tell my wife that, after vintage pens, and vintage watches, I am now also eyeing vintage razors?

 

[clk]

You have an excellent razor that, if taken care of, will last longer than you will. If you are interested in a vintage, I would suggest a Gillette Super Speed or a Schick Krona. Both are on the mild side of aggressiveness, and both give excellent shaves with the proper preparation and technique. Both can be had relatively cheaply either on BST or on the bay.

 

[dcobranchi]

Yes, you should have definitely gone vintage. I'm thinking lather catcher circa 1900. If you're too modren for that, then there really are lots of inexpensive vintage DEs available. I especially like the Flare Tip Superspeeds as a first TTO. Terrific builds and will most likely outlast your Muhle.

You will need to wait for a month or so to post a WTB in the BST. So, in the meantime, keep hitting F5 on that forum. Also, check out eBay.

Edit: Beaten by one minute.

 

[Mike H]

Proceed with caution.

I was going to say I prefer the vintage to modern, but then I realize I have three DE razors, a Tradere open comb, Replated Gillette New Improved with a custom BRW handle, and a replated New Deluxe with a SABI T2 handle.

The correct B&B answer...Both.

 

[MSstrahan]

The nice thing about Vintage is that you can resell it if you don't like it. I have tried nearly every vintage Gillette ever made this way. My reccomendation is to get an adjustable. Get a Fatboy is you have a mustache, and a slim if you don't. The slim's thinner head is a bit easier to fit under your nose, but the Fatboy is heavier, and nicer looking. For an upscale choice, pick up a 48-50 Aristocrat. All three options should cost you around $40-60 right now, more if you want the original case.

Find them on eBay or BST here.

 

[coolbus18]

Yup, I'd recommend a Gillette adjustable I too like the vintage for its history, quality and great looks!The Aristocrat is a great shaver that works well with many blade options . I know what you mean about new collections. I started with my Slim and now have 8 vintage models. Before I forget, Welcome to B&B!

 

[gus1942]

I bought my first razor not too long ago, a Mühle R89, and I love it. However, I keep doubting if I made the right choice ...

• I've been reading that modern razors are made of a zinc alloy, that won't last a lifetime when the plating is gone. Since I value lifetime products (e.g. my old Omega watch, and my vintage fountain pens), this is an ~irrational~ concern to me.
• I love vintage things, especially produced before the mid-1960's, for the history, and often the quality feel.

So while I love the Mühle, I keep thinking that I should have gone the vintage route. Is it too early to switch (so would you recommend me to shave 3 months with the Mühle first)? If not, what would be a good starting Gillette? It should not be more aggressive than the Mühle, it should be made of brass, and it should be able to survive me.

Last but not least ... what would be the best route for a novice user? Placing a WTB ad in the BST section? Or waiting what comes along?

Oh yes, and how do I tell my wife that, after vintage pens, and vintage watches, I am now also eyeing vintage razors?

Hey, it's OK to own two razors. Pick up a Gillette SS, Tech or one of the adjustables. What the Hell? Get em all!

 

[ricardo9505]

You can pick up a vintage for a decent price. Furthermore, as you grow into this more and more, you'll want more razors. My first was an EJ DE89. I'm looking for a nice vintage adjustable now. best of luck.

 

[Wingnut]

Johan, if you're looking for permission to get another razor, do you REALLY think that anyone here would say no?! Besides, how else will you know for sure that a vintage Gillette won't shave you better than your Muhle?

 

[Copierguy]

****edit***
Oh yes, and how do I tell my wife that, after vintage pens, and vintage watches, I am now also eyeing vintage razors?

Speak of any further purchases as investments.....

 

[luvmysuper]

A 50's style Super Speed is a great razor to have in the cabinet.
It has a utilitarian beauty, and is built like a tank.

 

[coolbus18]

Speak of any further purchases as investments.....

Yeah, that's the ticket!! +1

 

[n2hql]

+1 on the tech. I have one with the plating worn off & it still shaves well, the brass shows in a lot of spots, but it isn't going to rot being copper/brass instead of easy to rot zinc alloy. I also own every vintage gillette mentioned.

 

[celestino]

You don't need a vintage razor, but they sure look nice and most are very good shavers, so.................

 

[tm3]

You have a great razor. The more cautious route is use it for 3 months or so, continue reading here, and you should have a better idea of exactly what you want to try next ie adjustable, mild, more aggressive, etc. Alternatively you can buy and try. Neither approach is wrong.

You also might want to consider stainless steel DE razors, or vintage SE razors which shave great, are brass, and have mega panache.

 

[Eeyore]

I already did the "buy and try" route with pend and watches

In the end I settled down on just a few high quality pens, and just two vintage watches. It would have been easier to buy those directly, but of course I didn't know what I wanted when I started

 

[chilliman64]

there is only one response I can give you - buy them all, why limit yourself, life is too short!

there really is no right or wrong answer to your question, it's all a matter of opinion, ymmv.

 

[ThomasB98908]

Aristocrat or maybe even the Gillette Red-Tip would be a good choice. Fair warning though, Like potato chips, ya can't have just one....So watch out for the dreaded RAD <G>. We've all got it , so, joint the crowd.

 

[Xeno_basso]

A 50's style Super Speed is a great razor to have in the cabinet.
It has a utilitarian beauty, and is built like a tank.

You gotta love a 40's style Super Speed too!

 

[tm3]

I already did the "buy and try" route with pend and watches

In the end I settled down on just a few high quality pens, and just two vintage watches. It would have been easier to buy those directly, but of course I didn't know what I wanted when I started

I know what you mean, I have one FP that i use almost exclusively and a drawer full that I do not.