Vintage DE's vs Modern DE's

[Gatts]

I have come to the realization from my +5 years of wet shaving with DE razors that I have stopped using my vintage razors (I have over 60 total) regularly unless I force myself for nostalgia sake.

I reach for modern DE razors due to closer shaves, takes less focus, and efficiency (Blackbird, Wolfman 1.25 WR2, Charcoal goods Lvl 2, OC Timeless .98 are a few of my regulars).

Sidenote: I barely use creams since I shave right after I shower.

 

[DesertIguana]

I only own Vintage Gillettes, so Vintage.

 

[AshleyC]

More to the modern, I think.

Vintage razors that still get face time are mainly Fatboy/Slim, Red Tip SS, and Super Adjustable. And the Merkur Progress, I guess, because it IS a vintage razor that just happens to still be in production. My Techs and bog standard Super Speeds are pretty much display items now.

Tomorrow I'm going to use a vintage Injector, maybe the PAL Injecto-matic. I've no experience there. If that and other injectors I try do well, then the balance may shift back to vintage. And I have a couple of Gems to try too for the first time.

But the modern stuff, my .84P GC, Futur, Yaqi Ultima, TFC, and Bohemia, Mongoose "Artist Club" SE, and Pearl Flexi just get more play.

 

[profusion]

I'm going through a vintage phase right now. It helps that I'm appreciating milder razors now.

 

[Fourbtgait]

No preference, yet. Just getting back to DE, waiting on RazoRock to show up. Will admit to looking at Gillette adjustable. Kinda sucks knowing I had a couple Gillettes in HS that got tossed. Same with my dad’s Gillettes. Razors were cheap then, no one gave a thought to them. Prices now….

 

[Eric_75]

I enjoy both and have for years.

 

[Jay21]

I prefer modern for the simple fact that I have an irrational thing about using pre-owned razors that randomly pop up for sale.

 

[dreadpirate]

Modern but only by a small margin.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well the allure of Vintage is a nice one will not set you back a kings ransom, plus they are part of history, plus if you find one in near new condition, you have something special.

Thing is with a n Production Razors, most are available today, or with in a few months of order, all you need is money to purchase, or place a deposit pending on delivery.

Both do one thing will, remove beard.

 

[HDSledge]

I like vintage, particularly Gillette, because most new makers don't have the decades of experience fine tuning their equipment and I have been disappointed on several occasions by what looked like innovation. However the oldest Gillette's often shave better than the more recent ones, meaning they got it mostly right from the start re. blade exposure, gap, etc. One of the vintage Gillette's that give me the most satisfaction is the oldest, the double ring. In my opinion modern DE razors will not appreciate in value like the older Gillette's, not counting a few notable brands or limited production models. To me there is value in being able to use an efficient shaving tool that was made over a century ago. It's history in your hand.

 

[bdehne]

I use both. I will go through phases when I use only vintage for weeks then will do the same with modern. I have a number of razors both vintage and modern that will provide excellent shaves. This is a hobby for me that just happens to keep my face clean shaven as a bonus.

 

[Lockback]

I voted for Modern but only by the slimmest of margins.
I love my 6 vintage Gillette Super Speeds. I have an incredible appreciation for the engineering behind the Gillette Twist To Open design as well as the manufacturing that allows a 75-year-old razor to still shave as beautifully as mine do. Stamped brass and nickel plating produced a razor that's still relevant and efficient today.
Having said that, there are a lot of really great modern razors available to us. I'm not sure we've ever had more choices. From stainless steel to titanium, from aluminum to Zamak, they all work and have their place in the shaving world, depending upon price points and what you're looking for.
I think the Leaf Twig/Thorn is the cleverest modern design on the market.
I think the Edwin Jagger DE89 is the best value in shaving and one of the smoothest razors out there.
I think the Razorock Game Changer is another incredible value and fantastic razor.
I think the Rockwell 6C is another wonderful design that has given us adjustability at an affordable price.
And there are many more ... I haven't tried a Henson yet. Or a Yates. Or a Rex Supply. Or many others.
We live in the Golden Age of safety razors. We're lucky to have so many choices.
I'll always love my vintage razors. But I'm glad we have modern alternatives as well.

 

[dreadpirate]

We live in the Golden Age of safety razors. We're lucky to have so many choices.
I'll always love my vintage razors. But I'm glad we have modern alternatives as well.

Yes!

 

[Alexland]

I prefer shaving with modern 316 stainless steel razors but I prefer looking at nice vintage razors.

 

[Garry357]

I have 3 x Vintage Gillette and a King C Gillette I purchased while working away.

I prefer using Vintage,
they all give a different shave especially with varying DE blades.

my razors.
Gillette British Rocket HD
Gillette Slim Adjustable
Gillette British Rocket FlareTip

I always keep a lookout for vintage Gillette but prices are getting quite high now.

 

[Quaznoid]

Vintage. The best razors in the world are Schick injectors, particularly the E and G series.

 

[musicman1951]

I have a Slim, and while it's often years between uses it will never leave the den. I purchased it for it's nostalgic value. I think it's a great razor for the price. I do think it's a little unfair to compare what would be a $65 razor in today's dollars with a razor that costs many times that price. Most of these razors were reasonably priced every-man razors. My father used one and he'd never pay for any of the $200 and up razors of today. They were not designed in the Wolfman (ect.) mode or for the Wolfman buyer.

And having said that, if a vintage razor fits your face/beard/technique better than any other razor nobody is going to convince you that it's not better - and you shouldn't let them.

 

[BradWorld]

In my opinion, I get the best shaves from a highly engineered modern razor machined from quality metals. And although it has been rumored that I predominantly utilize expensive artisan made modern razors, I have gotten perfectly fine shaves from inexpensive cnc razors as well. Examples such as the Razorock Lupo and Game Changers offer great shaves. The difference with a more expensive artisan creation is the fit and finish, the artistry, and the available level of customization. Vintage razors have the potential to shave as closely and as efficiently as a modern razor. But in my humble opinion and experience, as a vintage razor’s efficiency increases, so does its level of instability. Meaning that the more efficient a vintage razor, the more I feel like I’m on the edge of leaking some red stuff. Whether from weepers or cuts or nicks, the more closely a vintage razor will shave me, the more I feel like I am riding the edge of the danger zone. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, or that this is true for everyone. And not that I often have a result that ends with fluid leakage. But it is my experience on the whole. It’s my perception when using a more aggressive vintage razor. My modern razors of choice exhibit a supremely smooth shave, with my preferred level of closeness, high efficiency, and a very controlled and drama free shave.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I use both, why is it necessary to choose one or the other, anyway?

 

[WThomas0814]

Modern, no question for me.

Vintages are reserved for my “Vintage Sunday” shaves.

I think it’s a lot like other things. Cars, for example. Vintage cars are beautiful and a lot of fun to drive, but, the technology is so far behind today’s standards that you might not want one as your sole means of transportation.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have a soft spot for vintage Gillettes; I learned to shave with an old Tech that was my Dad’s.