Vintage advice for newbie

[Roman126]

Hello all, been DE shaving for about 4 months with my Edwin DE89 and fancy adding another DE to my collection, I was thinking of buying a merkur but quite like the idea of trying out a vintage razor.

what vintage razors would give a great shave and be nice collectible pieces also....hopefully not too expensive!!!

 

[The Dean]

You will get advice from members with FAR more knowledge and experienced than I. But I will share some newbie-ish experience with you, while you wait for the experts to chime in.

I have one modern razor (Merkur 42) and one vintage (Gillette Fat handled Tech). I use the Tech with a slightly bigger and longer Bulldog-style handle. I can tell you the Tech is a marvel. Every blade I have used with it is very good-to great. I have never had a bad shave with it. I may get a better shave with the Merkur, when everything is singing properly, but the Tech is as plug-and-play as anything I could have imagined in a DE razor. I wasn't sure what "forgiving" meant, but I think I know now. I should have cut myself a number of times with the Tech--due to stupidity and incompetence on my part--but not only didn't I bleed, there was no irritation either.

And you can get the Tech very inexpensively. I bought mine on the B/S/T forum, along with that extra handle, for $15. How can you argue with that?

 

[Dalejr]

There is a huge list of great vintage Gillette razors from American to British made.

 

[Niles]

A Gillette Super Speed would be a good vintage choice, in my opinion. A Merkur 42c and 34c are my favourites from that brand.

 

[BlackBear]

The Gillette Slim adjustable would be near the top of my list, still very affordable compared to it's cousin the 'Fatboy'

 

[Moondancer]

Hmmm... vintage collectible. I'm not sure I would put those two together and hope for "not too expensive".
Here's my take. If you want vintage but aren't concerned with collectible, then get yourself a Long Comb New common bar handle. Out of all my vintage Gillettes, this one is by far the best shaver I own. I also have one with the ball-end handle and it's just as good, but I like the bar handle better.
If you want "collectible", then I am going to have to go with a Fatboy. You can pay a reasonable amount or a lot, depending on how long you want to wait and how much you want to pay. After lusting after one for better than a year, I just got my first one from another B&B member a couple weeks ago and couldn't be happier. I paid $45 for what was listed on BST and except for the fact that the doors are a little hazy, it's perfect. I haven't taken the time to hit them with a little MAAS polish, but I expect this to clean up well enough to almost go for NOS, so I'm happy. And it shaves great as well, so what's not to like?
But, as we say here, YMMV. It all comes down to what trips your trigger and how much you want to spend.

 

[OkieStubble]

Many vintage razors to be found at still reasonable prices which make excellent shavers to add to ones collection.

Gillette Fat Handled Tech with triangle holes
Gillette 40's Style SuperSpeed
Gillette Ball Handled Tech
Gillette Flair Tip SuperSpeed
Gillette Slim Adjustable
Gillette Long Handled Super Adjustable
Schick Krona

Or try a Single Edge Razor

GEM Push Button
GEM 1912
GEM Clog-Pruf MicroMatic
GEM Open Comb MicroMatic

 

[ZJ68]

I'd go lurk around the B/S/T forum, and wait until something that turns your crank shows up at a price you like. It should be a short wait.

I really like the Gillette Slim Adjustable and Super Adjustable. They're good razors, and you should be able to find one fairly cheap. I love the looks of old Schick injectors, but not so much shaving with them, and blades are harder to find than DE or SE.

if you get one you end up not liking, throw it back into the B/S/T forum and get something else. The risks of taking a bath on the price or getting stuck with something you hate are low.

 

[kingfisher]

Another vote for the Tech.

I'm particularly fond of the pre-war Tech with the triangular holes in the baseplate. The later Techs are very mild. All the Techs are intuitive.

 

[The Dean]

Another vote for the Tech.

I'm particularly fond of the pre-war Tech with the triangular holes in the baseplate. The later Techs are very mild. All the Techs are intuitive.

That's what I have. Very nice shaver. Mild, but effective.

 

[Beerhunter]

Listen to the kingfish. There's nothing else wrong in other options and may want to move in other directions.
Some may say an adjustable. But I would also go with a tech the three piece is easier to to keep clean, very forgiving and with a little practice you could end up w/ bbs. Good luck have fun.
cheers

 

[johna2231]

Welcome!

How many times has the Gillette Slim come up? 4, 5 times? That should tell you something glaringly obvious -- it's a great razor. It's also versatile. The Super Adjustable is a also a great razor that in my humble opinon, doesn't get near the credit it's due. You can buy either very inexpensively and use it on "1", or crank it up to "9" when you get comfortable with it and have one of the greatest shaves you'll get get with any razor. Both can be had very reasonably. I'd spend a few bucks more and pick one up here from a reputable seller so you'll know all the adjustments work properly.

Let us know what you decide and enjoy the adventure.

John

 

[jestah93]

Many will recommend a vintage superspeed, as they did me when I asked a similar question. From my experience, my superspeed has given me some great shaves, but my older and heavier Tech from the 40s is more consistent and predictable. I prefer the Tech, but this is of course up to interpretation.

 

[OkieStubble]

Welcome!

How many times has the Gillette Slim come up? 4, 5 times? That should tell you something glaringly obvious -- it's a great razor. It's also versatile. The Super Adjustable is a also a great razor that in my humble opinon, doesn't get near the credit it's due. You can buy either very inexpensively and use it on "1", or crank it up to "9" when you get comfortable with it and have one of the greatest shaves you'll get get with any razor. Both can be had very reasonably. I'd spend a few bucks more and pick one up here from a reputable seller so you'll know all the adjustments work properly.

Let us know what you decide and enjoy the adventure.

John

+1 The long handled super adjustable is my favorite adjustable. bought and sold a slim and 2 Fatboys and never used the fatboys.

 

[Mick]

If you want something that shaves similar to your DE89 then get a Gillette red tip.

If you want something different than your DE89 than get anything else