Super Speed 1951 stainless ?

[Maxime D.]

I purchased a Super Speed 1952 X-3 4 40's style (not a black tip). I put it in a bucket of hot water and dish soap for a day, I was kinda surprised when I saw rust stain on the handle and the baseplate : / I put a magnet on it and bingo, the handle and the baseplate are made of stainless. Any of you seen this before ?

 

[Mick]

what markings are on it?

Pics too!!!

 

[Maxime D.]

PAT. ON PKG on the bed and REG. U.S PAT. OFF. X-3 Made In USA.
I saw Black Tips with stainless handle but a regular 40's style with it ? Neva.
I'll post pictures soon.

 

[srm_92000]

Hi
What exactly makes you think it's stainless?
Brass nickel plated would be non magnetic. stainless can be magnetic or not depending on type, stainless is unlikely to show signs of rust?
The rust could be from an old blade or tarnished brass showing through the plating, were some known to be made of stainless?
Just curious-

 

[ras120]

Gillette did some odd things with their Super Speeds in 1951. Along with the black plastic tips, they made steel (although probably not stainless grade) and aluminum handles. I have also encountered "mix-n-match" razors with plated brass handles and aluminum goosenecks.

Just clearing out some left over bits and pieces, I suppose.

 

[Maxime D.]

Aluminum and brass aren't magnetic and of all the other metal, the stainless would be the most logical to use for a razor. By the way, the biggest lie about Stainless is that it's stainless XD

See the magnificent Spider Speed




PS: there is a magnet under this spirit level.

 

[srm_92000]

Right, didn't know 51 was an odd year.
I am an engineer so understand that stainless doesn't necessarily mean completely rust/tarnish free.
My first thought would be - Rust + Magnetic = ordinary steel nickel plated and worn away in some places.
Cheers,

 

[Maxime D.]

Right, didn't know 51 was an odd year.
I am an engineer so understand that stainless doesn't necessarily mean completely rust/tarnish free.
My first thought would be - Rust + Magnetic = ordinary steel nickel plated and worn away in some places.
Cheers,

That sound right, I noticed some spot on the handle , I guess the nickel was gone on these spots. With the Korean war starting in 51' all the brass available was destined to military usage. Like I said, I've seen steel handles but a baseplate ? Never before.

 

[rxonmymind]

Another cool factor I've found is all the razors I have seem to be magnetic to some degree. Put two together very slowly and you should feel them wanting to move away from each pother. Some are stronger than others where I can actually push a razor over with it standing up. Wish I knew what the cause of this is.

 

[ohthatguy]

According to the shavewiki X is 1952. Only reason I noticed is because I have a '51 SS date code W.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

 

[MacDaddy]

Correct, X-3 would be third quarter of 1952, not '51.

What you could have here is the body of a steel-handled Black Tip with the standard Super Speed's TTO knob. These were made during the brass shortage during the Korean War, just like you were thinking there, Max. So far as I know, the steel ones are just plain old nickel plated steel rather than being some form of stainless. We've seen other oddball combinations from this era like metal-tipped Black Tips, so it seems that Gillette was just putting together what they could to continue to serve the retail market during tough times.

One other wrinkle here, which may factor into what you're seeing with your razors, rx, is that nickel is also a ferromagnetic metal, although the plating layer on a razor is so thin that the effects may not be generally noticeable.

 

[Maxime D.]

Now nothing could suprise me from Gillette....maybe the elusive Super Speed wooden handle (Trolololololol) Jk

 

[Mick]

Are you sure you are not picking up the steel of the TTO mech on the inside of the handle?

 

[nemo]

Are you sure you are not picking up the steel of the TTO mech on the inside of the handle?

That isn't it -- try it out and it won't work, Mick.

I also have an X-3 that has a steel handle.

 

[Maxime D.]

Are you sure you are not picking up the steel of the TTO mech on the inside of the handle?

I tried the magnet on the center bar (which is the TTO mechanism end) and it did not stick.