Superspeed...what having I been missing out on?

[BladeDE40]

I picked up an excellently conditioned V3 Superspeed a little while back on BST. I picked this up as a birth year razor for my father (1950) to give him for Christmas. Before packaging it up I thought that is should give it a QC shave to make sure it worked ok, so I decided to take it for a spin last night. This was the first time I used a SS, my razors are a EJ89 and Merkur 23c, and I was blown away by the ease and smoothness of the shave...this probably the smoothest shave I've had in a year of using DE...I guess this is why they call the Superspeed's. My dilemma now is that I want to keep the razor....I guess I need to pick up another SS!

 

[Bestarrkin]

I picked up an excellently conditioned V3 Superspeed a little while back on BST. I picked this up as a birth year razor for my father (1950) to give him for Christmas. Before packaging it up I thought that is should give it a QC shave to make sure it worked ok, so I decided to take it for a spin last night. This was the first time I used a SS, my razors are a EJ89 and Merkur 23c, and I was blown away by the ease and smoothness of the shave...this probably the smoothest shave I've had in a year of using DE...I guess this is why they call the Superspeed's. My dilemma now is that I want to keep the razor....I guess I need to pick up another SS!

'50 SS has no date code generally, you should add pics.

 

[my19]

The Superspeeds are fine razors at very good prices on eBay and here on the BST. I like the late '40s-early '50s versions the best.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Awesome!! The Super Speed is a Gillette Icon razor.

 

[Chester]

This is how one gets started down the path to vintage gillettes. Welcome!
-- Chet

 

[TEAK]

Just got my first SS last week and I love it! Quite a shaver it is.

 

[ALLEN1]

Superspeed....you can't go wrong....I have and use superspeeds for 40+ years...Its a good un......Allen

 

[njpaddy]

Tom, what was your blade for the SS?

'50 SS has no date code generally, you should add pics.

His SS looks like this.

 

[grump]

Congratulation's on discovering vintage Gillette's!

 

[RUSHd]

....I guess I need to pick up another SS!

and so it begins...

 

[SafetyRazorDave]

I have a '52 SuperSpeed, X1, so not made long after yours. It delivers VERY easy and nice shaves. It's actually a small little razor, but you can really whip it around your face. Definitely a keeper.

 

[L. Martino]

Hiya,

Heh, I can't begin to remember how many posts I've read about how great the superspeed is. I've tried lots of razors over the years, and that thing is one I just hate shaving with. I've only used maybe 3-4 different types, but that was plenty. The red tip was the best of the bunch, just because it wasn't quite like the other superspeed models.

They aren't an aggressive razor, but they shave like one. I have to pay waaay too much attention to detail when using one of those. Even then, I'll still sometimes end up with a spot or two of red after my shave. I also feel the blade on my face more than I prefer.

They're too light and the balance is poor. To me they feel blah in my hand and I just can't see the attraction. Wish they fit me, but it ain't the case.

Oh, I do seem to be in the minority on this topic.........

Martin

Oh, certainly no offense was meant to anyone who loves those goofy things....heh.

 

[SafetyRazorDave]

Hiya,

Heh, I can't begin to remember how many posts I've read about how great the superspeed is. I've tried lots of razors over the years, and that thing is one I just hate shaving with. I've only used maybe 3-4 different types, but that was plenty. The red tip was the best of the bunch, just because it wasn't quite like the other superspeed models.

They aren't an aggressive razor, but they shave like one. I have to pay waaay too much attention to detail when using one of those. Even then, I'll still sometimes end up with a spot or two of red after my shave. I also feel the blade on my face more than I prefer.

They're too light and the balance is poor. To me they feel blah in my hand and I just can't see the attraction. Wish they fit me, but it ain't the case.

Oh, I do seem to be in the minority on this topic.........

Martin

Oh, certainly no offense was meant to anyone who loves those goofy things....heh.

There's nothing wrong with going "against the grain" when it comes to which razors you like! Whatever works for you.

 

[papa2cool]

I have a '53 superspeed that is the best razor I have used! I have several razors, but the superspeeds are my favs.

 

[BladeDE40]

Tom, what was your blade for the SS?


His SS looks like this.

Wow...that's exactly what it looks like...those pics look very familiar..

I used a Super Iridium in it last night.

 

[mdevine]

I have a dozen razors, including vintage and new, DE and SE, open comb and safety bar. I use my 40s SS much more often than any of the rest. I haven't found anything that shaves as close with so little effort. I have to be careful with my OC Gillettes and have even been bitten by other safety bar razors (when being careless with a Diplomat and Rocket). I don't know if I could draw blood with the SS if I tried.

 

[luvmysuper]

The Superspeed is just an all around great Razor.
Shaves very well, and has the utilitarian design that is very appealing.

 

[Speedwell68]

I have a '53 Superspeed and it is a very good razor. But I will admit that I don't like it as much as my Muhle R89.

 

[JoeH]

I've been using a 1941 Milord, one of the early TTO models, and loving it.

Smooth and easy shaves.

 

[Copierguy]

I seem to find a 40's style Super Speed or Milord in my hand more mornings than not.

What a great way to start the day.

But as for your V-3 dilemma, sounds like your dad might find a bag of Bic disposables under the tree. Those Super Speeds are hard to let go of...LOL