Some help identifying Gillette Razors

[dom1357]

I went to a flea market today and came home with these 4 razors. I'm pretty sure I identified 3 as these

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Gillette_Blue_Tip_Super_Speed
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Gillette_Red_Tip_Super_Speed
http://www.mr-razor.com/ebay/1938-1966 Tech Evolution klein.jpg - 1956 Ball End Tech

But the one I don't think I can really nail down is the TTO with no coloring at the tip. Is it this even though the tip doesn't match?
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Gillette_Flare_Tip_Super_Speed

I cleaned them up when I got home and they look like new, so surprising how they hold up over the years. Shaved with the Red Tip today and it was great.

 

[Nova316]

Yep
Red tip
Tech
Blue tip
Normal flair
I also believe there is a black one

 

[HoosierTrooper]

There will be a date code on the bottom of the blade tray for the Red, Blue and Flare Tips, there may or may not be one on the Tech.

 

[MacDaddy]

But the one I don't think I can really nail down is the TTO with no coloring at the tip. Is it this even though the tip doesn't match?
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Gillette_Flare_Tip_Super_Speed

Yup, you got it right. The '60's-style Flare Tip dropped the two lateral grooves in the TTO knob that the '50s-style had, which is why yours looks different than the one on that wiki page.

 

[dom1357]

You're right on the Tech. I think you mean the letter code. The Red has an E, the Blue a B, and the Flare a K.
If I'm reading the chart right, E = 1959, B = 1956, and K = 1965.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

That is correct, and across from it is a number. That's the quarter of the year it was made in. About the best you can do on the Tech is that it was made sometime in the 40's-1950. They started putting the date codes on in 1951 with W.

 

[cwnidog]

That is correct, and across from it is a number. That's the quarter of the year it was made in. About the best you can do on the Tech is that it was made sometime in the 40's-1950. They started putting the date codes on in 1951 with W.

I thought that it was in 1950 with a "V", see http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information - but I have seen conflicting information. Anyway, a "W" is definitely 1951.

 

[BBrad]

I thought that it was in 1950 with a "V", see http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information - but I have seen conflicting information. Anyway, a "W" is definitely 1951.

Very few razors were actually produced with the V date code . . . some believe it was more of a prototype run. The V code was not placed in the same location on the base plate as they were later, when full-scale date coding of all razors began in 1951.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I thought that it was in 1950 with a "V", see http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information - but I have seen conflicting information. Anyway, a "W" is definitely 1951.

As I understand it there were some razors stamped with a V in the last quarter of 1950 as a test.

 

[MacDaddy]

As I understand it there were some razors stamped with a V in the last quarter of 1950 as a test.

I've only ever seen V-3 razors, myself.

 

[IronHammer]

Yup, you got it right. The '60's-style Flare Tip dropped the two lateral grooves in the TTO knob that the '50s-style had, which is why yours looks different than the one on that wiki page.

The 50's style Super Speed has the groove above the twist-to-open knob a bit higher up. Starting around 1960 they moved that groove very low down close to the TTO knob. That's how you can tell a 50's SS from a 60's SS from far way. Since yours is a 1965 (K) you will also notice that the head has a lower profile than it's earlier predecessors. Hold the red-tip up next to the Super Speed and you will notice the difference. Some prefer this sleeker design as it changes the blade angle.

 

[dom1357]

you're right. I can't wait to try all 4 of them. The Red is the only I've tried so far.

The 50's style Super Speed has the groove above the twist-to-open knob a bit higher up. Starting around 1960 they moved that groove very low down close to the TTO knob. That's how you can tell a 50's SS from a 60's SS from far way. Since yours is a 1965 (K) you will also notice that the head has a lower profile than it's earlier predecessors. Hold the red-tip up next to the Super Speed and you will notice the difference. Some prefer this sleeker design as it changes the blade angle.

 

[luvmysuper]

Here is an extensive identification guide done by AsylumGuido.

This is one of the best, most thorough guides I've seen anywhere;

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/56974-Super-Speed-Identification?highlight=

 

[dom1357]

Thanks. This is very helpful thread to see the differences between the same razors of different years.

Here is an extensive identification guide done by AsylumGuido.

This is one of the best, most thorough guides I've seen anywhere;

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/56974-Super-Speed-Identification?highlight=

 

[luvmysuper]

Thanks. This is very helpful thread to see the differences between the same razors of different years.

Super speeds generally are a frequent item in the BST, you can do a search on the BST to see going prices for various models in various conditions.
As a new member you can buy now, but of course must wait till you have 50 posts and 45 days membership before any talk of sales or trades are permitted.

 

[dom1357]

Thanks, Phil. I've been a lurker for a while and just started to be more active on the forums. I'll give myself some time to try these bad boys out anyway.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

The red tip looks to be in fantastic condition

 

[dom1357]

They all look pretty good in my opinion. They were dirty before, but after some cleaning they all look newer than 50-60 years old.

 

[jbradley]

you're right. I can't wait to try all 4 of them. The Red is the only I've tried so far.

In my experience the Red is the most aggresive of the lot. That's the way they were designed, blue, regular, red. I thing the black & the regular are the same.

 

[dom1357]

I keep reading that. The red wasn't that aggressive from my 2 shaves with it. I felt like my HD is more aggressive. How aggressive is aggressive? Is it relative to the other Gillettes or to razors made today?