Three more finds on vacation

[Shantytownbrown]

On the way home, we stopped by an antique shop, I asked the owner if he had any Gillette items, he said he thought he had one but wasn't sure if it got sold "it has blades with it!" so we searched the large shop together, nearly giving up, I spotted in the last case a set of three Gillete (what I think are Superspeeds) and some blades...I grabbed them, and since this was a shop with multiple dealer displays, best he could do was 10% off the marked price...still seemed good to me...

Now, home, and all cleaned up nice, let me know what you know of these...and before I say what I paid, would love to hear your "appraisals" this was a "package" deal, all items or none...



Not sure what I am going to do with the blades, any collectors? Are they worth anything to someone?

Oh, the date codes...the blue tip is B 2 the next is B 3 and the last is D 1

 

[Omak]

Looks to be excellent condition on that blue tip

 

[Wingnut]

Looks like some really clean examples of a Blue Tip, Flare Tip, and TV Special. Nice find!

 

[M. McCord]

Don't know what they looked like before, but if they looked like that in the case, I'd say about $40 for the package is the most I'd go.

 

[celestino]

Excellent find. Enjoy the razors.

 

[CGW409]

Nice find.
As to the blades as long as they are rust free you can shave with them and I've gotten some nice shaves off some vintage blades( even a 1918 3 hole Gillette) though my beard tends to make vintage blades a "one and done" over the standard 3 to 4 days I get with modern blades.
Just keep in mind that unlike modern stainless blades they will rust so a last swish in alcohol to dry moisture from the blade is needed to be added to your razor clean up routine.

 

[Niles]

Nice razors, Scott!

 

[mistercitizen]

1956 was a great year for the Super Speeds. Great find.

Ben

 

[alex2363]

Best vacation ever!!!

 

[highplainsdrifter]

The Flair Tip SS is one of my favourites so far. You got 3 at once! Nice find!

 

[Shantytownbrown]

sooo..

1. I paid $33 for the whole set up..they were quite tarnished and some sope scum on them;
i could tell that there was no plating loss; I was surprised wow shiny they got, very few scratches on the chrome..all the tarnish/rust came off with soap and water and a soft toothbrush...

the blue tip has some "spotting" on the head..any way to fix this? the blue tip does have some "wearing" of the blue at the very tip/bottom of the handle

2. doubt I'll use the blades...

3. "TV special" ?? how'd it get that nick name?

4. will these shave differently from one another?

5. What made 1956 " a good year" for SS's??

6. read on here that blue tips "were favored by the ladies" does that mean it is less aggressive?

7. wish they had cases, considering their condition

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Sweet Score and a good price!

 

[CGW409]

sooo..

1. I paid $33 for the whole set up..they were quite tarnished and some sope scum on them;
i could tell that there was no plating loss; I was surprised wow shiny they got, very few scratches on the chrome..all the tarnish/rust came off with soap and water and a soft toothbrush...

the blue tip has some "spotting" on the head..any way to fix this? the blue tip does have some "wearing" of the blue at the very tip/bottom of the handle

2. doubt I'll use the blades...

3. "TV special" ?? how'd it get that nick name?

4. will these shave differently from one another?

5. What made 1956 " a good year" for SS's??

6. read on here that blue tips "were favored by the ladies" does that mean it is less aggressive?

7. wish they had cases, considering their condition

11.00 per razor is a sweet deal.
The color coded flair tips were a pre adjustable feature, red was the aggressive SS for heavy beards,the plain chrome was the regular SS and the blue was the mild for noob shavers or sensitive skin.

 

[Shantytownbrown]

11.00 per razor is a sweet deal.
The color coded flair tips were a pre adjustable feature, red was the aggressive SS for heavy beards,the plain chrome was the regular SS and the blue was the mild for noob shavers or sensitive skin.

now i'll hunt for a red '56 to complete the triad!

btw, how many vintage Gillettes is too many vintage Gillettes?

 

[Copierguy]

now i'll hunt for a red '56 to complete the triad!

btw, how many vintage Gillettes is too many vintage Gillettes?

Well I'm in the triple digits and the buzzer has not sounded yet....

 

[bosenberg]

The tv special got its name due to the slightly different handle knurling used during 1958 on some super speeds and was advertised by Gillette on the Calvacade of Sports. They lack the groves around the handle and only have groves lengthwise down the handle. Like the one on the right. Contrast that with the regular flare tip

 

[CGW409]

now i'll hunt for a red '56 to complete the triad!

btw, how many vintage Gillettes is too many vintage Gillettes?

Now that's a trick question,you can never have too many vintage Gillettes .
I suppose in my case once I've got one confirmed date,high user grade example of each decade of Gillette DE razors.
Since I personally consider the 80's to be the end of the "golden age" of Gillette I still need an example of the 19 aughts,a rock solid confirmed 19 teens and a better condition 1940's example.
Kind of heavy on 20's 30's and 50's but mainly due to family heirlooms of those eras.

 

[Shantytownbrown]

Now that's a trick question,you can never have too many vintage Gillettes .
I suppose in my case once I've got one confirmed date,high user grade example of each decade of Gillette DE razors.
Since I personally consider the 80's to be the end of the "golden age" of Gillette I still need an example of the 19 aughts,a rock solid confirmed 19 teens and a better condition 1940's example.
Kind of heavy on 20's 30's and 50's but mainly due to family heirlooms of those eras.

looks like i may be getting to know thrift shops, antique shops and flea markets near my home now!

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Nice.
1. Blue Tip
2. 50's Super Speed
3. 60's Super Speed

Great finds on Vacation )