Super Speed Flare Tip Heirloom for my first DE - a few questions

[Lockedin]

I'm a total noob to DE shaving - fact is, I just ordered my first - Merkur 1904 41c (the OC version).

While I'm waiting, I visit my Mom & Dad (good son that I am!) and Mom discovers that I'm looking into DE shaving and says "Just a minute" and comes back with - my Grandfather's Gillette Super Speed!

After reading the reviews on both razors, I'm figuring on learning with the SS after I finish cleaning it with warm soapy water & scrubbing bubbles; it has the remnants of my Grandfather's last few shaves that need to be removed after about 20 years of resting.

Being an heirloom, it came without a box - is there a way to tell what the date of manufacture is? The code A1 is on the head - makes it an early 1955?

It's not a huge deal - I am excited to actually use this tool which served my Grandfather so well for so long, not to mention learning DE razor skills, reducing cost, and hopefully enjoying what is currently a chore to be endured.

Also - any blade recommendations?

 

[dcobranchi]

Congrats! Yep, 1st quarter of 1955. According to the Shavewiki, that's also the 1st year of production for the FTSS. I have a slightly newer one. Terrific razor. Virtually indestructible, so it resides in my Dopp kit for travels.

Having your grandfather's razor makes for a very nice link to the past. I have my own grandfather's razor and brush. He passed away in 1972, so shaving with his kit always brings up fond memories of my childhood.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

?? I have a Z3 birth razor that is a flare tip SS. So A can't be first year of production.
Mike

 

[Geologos]

Veru nice razor, I also have my grandfather's Merkur 33C, and every time I shave with it I remember him!

 

[BBrad]

Hey, Lockedin . . . Welcome to B&B!!

What an outstanding score!! A 1955 Flare-Tip is a great razor for both newbies and veterans. It is gentle, yet capable . . . built tough as nails and obviously outlasted its original owner!

I, too, am the lucky recipient of my grandfather's razors (2 straights, pre-WWII) that are an honor to shave with. I hope you are able to have that connection with your past for a long time to come.

The Flare-Tip replaced the original Super Speed design and was introduced in 1954. For a while in '54 both designs were made, with the older '40s-style being sold as the 1954 TV Special razor later that year. 1955 (A-1) was the first full-time production of the Flare-Tip.

As to blades . . . pretty much any blade will perform well in a Super Speed . . . it becomes a matter of personal preference. Many guys will recommend buying a sampler pack from various Internet-based retailers, but I advise holding off on the sample pack until you have at least one month of smooth, blood-free shaves under your belt using the same blade type. The blade can be such a wide variable; using different blades while still learning the craft is counter-productive.

The WalMart Wilkinson Sword blades are quite serviceable and easily obtained. I've also had great success with the Dollar General blades, made in Korea by Dorco. Other dollar store offerings are usually made by Personna and will work. I personally prefer the Astra SP. Just pick one and stick with it for a month, then you can go blade shopping and have a solid base to reference them to.

Enjoy your shaves!

 

[Lockedin]

Thanks guys!

Looks like I'm off to the local Wal-Mart after work today.

 

[dougmac]

Welcome to the B&B, Lockedin! I have pretty much the same story as you, and my heirloom razor is my favorite Congrats on the inheritance!

 

[wagstaff]

SuperSpeed flare-tip is a great first DE. And maybe last, even. That and the heirloom aspect are both super cool.

 

[SteveWY]

Congrats! That is a special gift from your grandfather to you! Use it in homage of him and think about him while shaving. I have an heirloom bottle of Lilac Vegetal of my grandfather's and after storing it for years I decided to use it. The Flare Tip SS is a mild shaver and an excellent razor to learn or use for life.

 

[dcobranchi]

?? I have a Z3 birth razor that is a flare tip SS. So A can't be first year of production.
Mike

Yes, it can. Z3 appears to be the 1st quarter the FTSS was manufactured. So, A1 would be the 3rd quarter that they made those razors.

 

[Disburden]

Order a blade sampler online and see what you like after practicing and learning.
the flair tip is great, I own two of them and I love them. They are mild razors but always deliver smooth face.

 

[mdevine]

While I have quite a few razors, my Superspeed has seen more use in the past three years than any other. I find the Superspeeds to give me a BBS shave with little drama. I would be delighted to have received one of my grandfather's old razors. The history of the old razors are a large part of their appeal to me ( and the fact that they built them very well back then ), and using something that belonged to someone so important to me would make the razor more valuable to me than any Feather or Pils costing hundreds of dollars. I hope that one day you have the chance to pass it to your grandchildren.

Mike

 

[larzone]

A truly fantastic story, keep it like a diamond!
I'm not with you "reducing cost". Is that possible??

 

[mdevine]

Like BBrad says, I find the Superspeed to be more tolerant of blade choice than most razors. I used a Derby in one yesterday and had a great shave. My three favorites in a SS are Astra SP, Iridium and Med Prep Personna.

 

[Shave_Rat]

?? I have a Z3 birth razor that is a flare tip SS. So A can't be first year of production.
Mike

True, the date codes show 1954 as the start of the FTSS production run. So a '55 is not the first year, but having an heirloom razor outweighs any date stamp on any razor you have, anyways. I'm the lucky owner of my Great Grandfathers 40's SS, and my Grandfathers 61 Slim Adjust. I may soon have some of my Great Uncles straights as well, no idea if they will be in restorable/usable condition, but it will still rock to have them.

 

[cryhavoc]

Welcome and congrats on a great heirloom! As other have said, it is a great razor and works for newbies and vets alike. I would suggest a sample pack of blades from a vendor to find the best blade for you.

 

[Deano]

Good for you Lockedin. Not only a razor you will treasure for sentiment but a great razor to learn on.

 

[Deltaboy]

Great find I love using my Grandfathers and Great Grandfathers Razors. Now the SS is build like a tank and Astra SP are my go to with any Razor. Enjoy the memories like I and many others here do using our Grandfathers razors.

 

[mattymatt]

The flare tip SS is a great razor. I am aways jealous of people that get their Grandad's razor! I think my Grandpa had one that I remember seeing as a child, but my Grandma has no idea what happened to it.

 

[Mick]

Take good care of your grandfather's razor and it will serve you well for the rest of your life.

I came back home with my father's 1949 red cased super speed that I shaved with today.

Great feeling to hold and use the razor I saw him use every day of my young life.