Hi folks,
I'd like to share with you my shaving experience with the Gillette open comb Senator. First a little background. This one piece TTO razor came out right after the highly expensive and successful 1934 Aristocrat. Where the Aristocrat was heavily gold plated, came in a beautiful case and cost around $6, the Senator which came out in 1938, my birth year, was nickel plated, came in a cardboard box and sold for $.69.
OK. Now for the shave. This is what I used.
View attachment 54209
This razor is well used. There is some plating loss but it operates as smoothly as it should.
In the photo you should see the C&E Nomad, the Rooney 3/1 Special super and the red IP. The Rooney and the Nomad make up one great lather making machine. The Senator and the IP gave me one of the smoothest shaves I ever had, and most of my shaves are smooth no matter the razor. It is hard to describe the aggressiveness of this razor because of the open comb. But I can say it is a little less aggressive then the '34 Aristocrat and maybe about the same as a '49 Super Speed.
I can also say that if you haven't experienced a shave with these vintage open comb Gillette's, you're cheating yourself of a fine experience.
These razors are not easy to find and may be expensive in very good to excellent condition, but if you do, get it. This razor's made for shaving.
And as a last bit of pampering I finished off with the Penthaligon Blenheim Bouquet after shave balm. It doesn't get any better then this.
Len
I'd like to share with you my shaving experience with the Gillette open comb Senator. First a little background. This one piece TTO razor came out right after the highly expensive and successful 1934 Aristocrat. Where the Aristocrat was heavily gold plated, came in a beautiful case and cost around $6, the Senator which came out in 1938, my birth year, was nickel plated, came in a cardboard box and sold for $.69.
OK. Now for the shave. This is what I used.
View attachment 54209
This razor is well used. There is some plating loss but it operates as smoothly as it should.
In the photo you should see the C&E Nomad, the Rooney 3/1 Special super and the red IP. The Rooney and the Nomad make up one great lather making machine. The Senator and the IP gave me one of the smoothest shaves I ever had, and most of my shaves are smooth no matter the razor. It is hard to describe the aggressiveness of this razor because of the open comb. But I can say it is a little less aggressive then the '34 Aristocrat and maybe about the same as a '49 Super Speed.
I can also say that if you haven't experienced a shave with these vintage open comb Gillette's, you're cheating yourself of a fine experience.
These razors are not easy to find and may be expensive in very good to excellent condition, but if you do, get it. This razor's made for shaving.
And as a last bit of pampering I finished off with the Penthaligon Blenheim Bouquet after shave balm. It doesn't get any better then this.
Len