If there is one thing we agree on, its that Gillette's undated Superspeeds from the late 40's are some of the most wonderful razors in the constellation. The un-notched is a bit more difficult to come by and this summer I was lucky enough to find one in a lovely little antique shop in the Berkshires. But which one shaves better? Surely the differences will be subtle. I'm anxious to find out. So beginning tomorrow, the "face off" begins. Blade of choice: Shark Super Stainless. I will keep you posted.
Undated 40's Superspeed - Notched v.s. Un-notched- Is There a Difference?
- Thread starter Darjeeling Express
- Start date
Ahhh, excellent. I will be keeping tabs on this. I love the no-notched SS. Thanks for letting us know your experiences with it. 
I shave with a notched undated Superspeed and I own a like new unnotched SS which I bought a few years ago at a thrift store, I have never shaved with the unnotched razor though so interested to see your results.
Wp
Wp
I'll be interested to see this too. As a new (one week) DE shaver, I am unqualified to form any opinions yet, so I'll be sticking with my starter Merkur (1904 Classic), but as a fledgling collector, I've got a '47 (un-notched) Superspeed on the way. Also have a '51 aluminum handled black tip, though I wouldn't expect that to be in the mix in a test like this due to the light weight handle. I've got '53 on the way too, can I presume this is like the undated '48/'49's, or is there a difference in that era?
- Thread starter
- #6
Hey T., I suspect the '53 you have on the way is a "flaretip". The superspeeds which are the subject of this discussion are all undated. I will post pics tonight. T., welcome to B&B.
According to the Wiki, the flare-tips didn't exist until 1954, so the '53 would actually be the "40's style". 1948 notch started, 1950 date code started.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Gillette_Super_Speed
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Gillette_Super_Speed
Actually 1954 was a very interesting year.
I have a Z1 40's type, a Z3 flair tip and a Z3 40's type TV Special. I missed out getting a Z4 TV Special when the seller misread the date code for me.
Len
This is correct, it is a '40's style. What I was really asking is if there was a difference between these late models and the no date '48 and '49's. I'll have to pick one up to check it out
.I've read that there was a difference (slight) in the '47 and the later models. I'd suspected that a slight change occurred with those changes (notching and removing the "wings" from the center bar). But also I'd presumed the head then remained the same until the advent of the Flare Tip. I could be wrong, there may have been other changes.
This is correct, it is a '40's style. What I was really asking is if there was a difference between these late models and the no date '48 and '49's. I'll have to pick one up to check it out
I've read that there was a difference (slight) in the '47 and the later models. I'd suspected that a slight change occurred with those changes (notching and removing the "wings" from the center bar). But also I'd presumed the head then remained the same until the advent of the Flare Tip. I could be wrong, there may have been other changes.
I have noticed no difference amongst the 40's styles myself, notched or un-notched, other than the historical aura surrounding the '47.
I have used both. I can not tell a difference.
Like I've said, I'm not qualified to judge as yet. Doubt I'd even note any difference if it was there but subtle (just started DE shaving a week ago today!). But I've been hanging out here and learning some for nearly a couple of months.
I got the idea that the '47 offered a slightly different shave from your post on identifying Superspeeds, though you didn't say you'd seen a difference yourself, you mentioned others say they have.
I will have a look at the three examples I'll have when my '47 arrives (the '53 got here today, pretty nice). I can certainly see if there is a difference in head profile or a substantial difference in how the blade is presented. A subtle difference I may not be able to discern.
Guido, any which way this pans out, I'd like to thank you for the HUGE amount of time/knowledge and experience you've taken the time to share with all of us here, noobs and more experienced alike. You are a Font of information, and all of us owe you a debt of gratitude!
First, thank you. I appreciate that. Secondly, I have heard a few people mention being able to tell a difference, but I still have not myself. At least nolt a physical difference. I have a feeling that the simple fact that many users know the relative scarcity of the '47 Super Speed and take an added pleasure from using it and that adds to the satisfaction of the shave.
- Thread starter
- #14
Thank you all for all of this great info. O.K. here's the set up. VDH Glycerine Soap, melted into a shave stick with a heavy dose of lavender oil. Omega #80257. Shark Super Stainless. No prep. Just wash face with very warm water and soap. Round #1a featured the no-notch. 3 passes: N/S, E/W-W/E, and ATG. Outstanding shave - SAS (smooth as silk). Two tiny nicks, but easily stanched with cold water only. No styptic required. It will be interesting to see how the notched version compares. Until tomorrow. Darjeeling
- Thread starter
- #15
The shave with the notched version this morning, #1b, was superb as well. As noted by some, the difference is virtually indistinguishable. But I will try. Both shaves provided SAS quality. I have a fairly heavy beard, though not quite as intense as Lon Chaney Junior's.
This morning's stubble, coming off of yesterday's terrific experience, was noticeably thin. For now, I am reserving judgement on which is more aggressive. Again, if one is more than the other, the difference is negligible. On to #2a.
This morning's stubble, coming off of yesterday's terrific experience, was noticeably thin. For now, I am reserving judgement on which is more aggressive. Again, if one is more than the other, the difference is negligible. On to #2a.
- Thread starter
- #16
A repeat performance of a beautiful shave today from the un-notched SS. Again, still very difficult to tell the difference between the two. Tomorrow morning #2b (notched).
- Thread starter
- #17
The notched shave this morning may have been slightly smoother. Only slightly. I'm curious to see what #3a (no notch) holds. There may simply be no discernible difference between the two.
Can you notice any difference in feel as you shave? Any visible difference in blade gap/angle at the bar? Anything tactile or visually different beside the inside? My '47 arrived yesterday, tomorrow I'll get to clean it up and compare visually to the '51 and '53.
- Thread starter
- #19
#3b completed today. I found the un-notched to be slightly more aggressive than the notched. And at T Rick's urging I took the magnifying glass and camera out. On the un-notched version, the blade comes slightly closer to the safety bar's edge and the blade gap is slightly wider than the notched version. Hence, more blade exposure and closer shaver. With the wider blade gap, on the up stroke, you can bevel the head angle, thus increasing the angle. None of my whiskers were left standing. That being said, I preferred the notched razor. Shaves 2b and 3b were overall smoother, and each shave was SAS. While the collector in me is delighted to have both versions. The shaver would be content with the more modern one. Here are the pics for your consideration. It is actually quite difficult to capture the blade gap. The razor with plate loss is notched.
Great thread. The 40's SS with Shark is a favorite rig for me.
