The lineup

[ScottMO]

Ok, this is the beginning of my collection.
I feel like Ive cheated because after reading some threads, I realize that finding three of these beasties in one antique store, and all for $33.00, including the Fat Boy, is quite a lucky find. I got the gold Slim from my father a few years ago when I took an interest in DE shaving due to my stubborn untamable neck hair that disposables just were'nt up to task for.

You know the models, here's the year codes from left to right:
O-4 '69 Super Adjustable plastic long handle
N-1 '68 Slim Adjustable
G-1 '61 "Fat Boy" Adjustable
A-3 '55 Super Speed

I invite anyone to comment and tell me what I have here and advise me how to clean and sterilize them for use. The three nickel plates are pretty encrusted inside. They all open and close without binding and seem to be undamaged, just dirty. Later I discover some damage.:-(

Thanks.

PS, I only got to cover half of that antique store.

 

[flycbyrd]

Ok, this is the beginning of my collection.
I feel like Ive cheated because after reading some threads, I realize that finding three of these beasties in one antique store, and all for $33.00, including the Fat Boy, is quite a lucky find. I got the gold Slim from my father a few years ago when I took an interest in DE shaving due to my stubborn untamable neck hair that disposables just were'nt up to task for.

You know the models, here's the year codes from left to right:
O-4;N-1;G-1;A-3

I invite anyone to comment and tell me what I have here and advise me how to clean and sterilize them for use. The three nickel plates are pretty encrusted inside. They all open and close without binding and seem to be undamaged, just dirty.

Thanks.

PS, I only got to cover half of that antique store.

Nice from left to right. Black long handle slim adjustable, slim adjustable, fat boy, and flair tip superspeed. A good price for the 3. Alot of people will recommend scrubbing bubbles to clean them. I cant recommend it because I have never used it.

 

[grump]

A couple soaking's with scrubbing bubbles and a soft tooth brush scrub should have them in show room condition. Then if you want, a rub with some flitz will really make them shine.

 

[ScottMO]

The super Speed was the cleanest so I used it this morning. I like the length of the handle but will probably prefer the the thicker Fat Boy. The texture of the handle was good enough to prevent slipping. I did think the rake to be a bit under-agressive for some areas and I found myself using enough pressure to do some cutting on my chicken skin neck. I'll admit I'm not yet using a good soap or the best prep yet. A good experience overall and the nostalgic factor made it worth it. A late '57 I think?

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Those are all awesome shavers you got there and a hell of a deal to boot. Super Score!!!

 

[Chester]

You did very well. All four together are worth $100 at least.

In my opinion, those are the best gillette TTOs.

The flare-tip was my starter razor, actually, and I moved on to the fatboy and then the slim. I've only given my super adjustable a few spins, but I like it, too.

I'd recommend giving them all an overnight soak in dishsoapy water, then scrub them with an old toothbrush, then give them a nice foamy blanket of scrubbing bubbles and let them sit for 5 min, scrub with a toothbrush again and rinse well.

Hope it helps,
-- Chet

 

[ScottMO]

The Good News:
I had a rare positive experience at WM. Didn't find any Olive gell to try but did find a few 10 packs of Wilkinson Sword stainless blades. I'm glad to get stainless. I will order Feathers and most likely a combo assortment from Royal Shave. And got scrubbing Bubbles.

I soaked the fatty and the nickel Slim in boiled water with some Dawn for a few hours then shot 'em with the bubbles.
I am extremely pleased with how well it works. Also, running some doubled up soft pipe cleaners under the plate was a good idea. I don't think I need to use Flitz. I like Flitz for any bare metal but until Im sure there isnt some laquer or protective varnish there, Ill avoid the Flitz cause ittl strip anything. Just ask my brass Buck knife.

The Bad News:
My speed deserves a reprieve. The cutting I got ths morning can be attributed to some damage to the razor. What I thought was poor fit was actually a good whack to one of the top plates causing it to be off a few hundredths. This created a misalignment preventing full closure. Ok, mabye thats why it was only $7.50.
But wait, theres more! Buy one damaged razor and we'll throw in another! Yes folks, Im sad to report the Fatboy and the adj. Slim are not as well as I had hoped. Both have bent combs; meaning the toothed rounded leading edge. The Fat's is slightly down on the left on the dial indicatir side; I think it is visible in my photo. And the Slim has a bent comb as well, possibly both. But the top doors are ok on both.

Ok Razor Gurus, what can I do to get these back in shape?

Interestingly enough however, the Slim is bent so uniformly that what I have is two blade profiles; one more agressive than the other. Could it be an intentional alteration? I'll let you know after tomorrows shave.

 

[ScottMO]

today I took my time and did some decent prep with Neut***gina face scrub, showered, Nieva Gell with plenty of warm water, a Wilkinson blade and my Slim set on 3.
six hours later, I still have a BBS. That shave was one of the best Ive ever done. Some razor bump and some neck problem areas not mastered yet, but no fault of the equipment. I could have attacked my neck more agressively and mabye got cut, but I took it easy. The slim felt really good and handled better that my later Gold slim; although the golds' in better condition.
Tomorrow the Fat boy!

 

[ScottMO]

Another good shave. In fact better. This time with the Fat Boy on 3. Reused same blade. One side has a comb in good enough shape to use.
I attacked my neck more agressively and no cutting. Sweet! This time with no razor bump scalping. I might as well have been scraping paint. I did nick a small mole, but that was from getting carried away with it.
I like the feel of the thicker handle in my medium digits. Have not yet decided what affect the higher dome has on attack angle, if any, but it is the only noticable difference between the razor heads.