Vintage Gillette man

[bnalley]

Hi all,
I've been wet shaving for several years now, so I guess I'm not really a noob anymore. However, my experience is limited to vintage gillette exclusivly. I have substantial collection of gillette DE's, but most (99.9%) of my shaves are with my Grandfathers '57 red tip, or my Dad's '66 flare tip superspeeds. I also throw in a tech from time to time, or an old type open comb ball end (If I have a vacation beard). But I mainly use the superspeeds, and have wonderful results.
My question is this, Do the new razors really compare to the old gillettes or am I biased by heirloom shaves, and if I were to get a new model, which would be a good candidate? I Love the superspeeds, and can't imagine there being anything better than made in the USA quality out there.

Thanks,

Brett

 

[Chester]

You know, I also tend to the Gillettes, but I have been very pleased with Hoffritz/Merkur slants. FWIW, I do like the Merkur progress, too.
-- Chet

 

[SteveWY]

I can't wait for the debate from the lovers of EJ, Merkur, Ikon, Krona, etc. As a 100% vintage Gillette guy myself I can be of no help in this discussion. But, I will be following the thread with interest!

 

[denim]

I started this out with a Merkur, but tried a 1978 SS a little. I found I prefer the weight of the solid metal Merkur over the lightness of the plastic-handled SS. However, I haven't tried an older SS.

 

[mattface]

My first DE razor was a EJ DE89L. It was like a revelation. i went on to experiment with all manner of vintage razor, but largely Gillettes. I will say the DE89 is good, but I hardly ever use it because I prefer my vintage razors. My favorites include Britush #15 Aristocrat, Red Tip, BRW Bull Mastiff handle on a NEW head, New Deluxe Tuckaway, and Hoffritz slant (the new slants shave just as well, but don't look quite as nice). SO yeah, there are new razors out there that shave as well as the old ones, but like with anything it's largely a matter of personal preference, and there are so many MORE vintage gillettes to choose from than there are new good razors.

 

[jbradley]

I have always been a vintage lover. However, I got a Weber with the Bulldog handle the other day. It compares with any vintage I have. I have 2011 R41, it's the most aggressive razor I have. Shaving with it isn't fun yet. I get a super close shave, but feel like I'm playing with a snake. I know I'm gonna get bit. So I guess the short answer is I get great shaves with vintage and new razors, and I've looked like I was an extra in a slasher movie with vintage & new razors.

 

[celestino]

i really like the Gillette vintage open-combs, but there are many good modern razors also such as the R41 2011, Muhles, Pils, Feather, etc. It really depends on how you handle them, in my opinion.

 

[redrako]

Hi all,
...Do the new razors really compare to the old gillettes...?

Thanks,

Brett

There are two ways to look at this. Are there contemporary razors that will give similar shaves as the vintage Gillettes? Yes of course. Are there contemporary razors that will be used by shavers 50 years from now? Probably not. As I understand it, many modern razors are made from cheap POTS metal, at least the Merkurs. (I'm not sure about Muhle razors)

 

[RailroadMan]

After finding vintage Gillettes (and Schicks) for flea market/junk store/yard sale prices, I wonder if moderns are worth the money. I haven't tried one either.

 

[alex2363]

I would say Joris, it has a aggressive yet tamed shave, i haven't got a nick yet.

 

[Disburden]

I prefer old razors, Gillettes and SE razors a like. The only new ones I like are the Slants.

 

[KipNoxzema]

I love retro, especially if it's quality, so I love the Gillettes. There's something to be said about getting the job done with razors (and some blades) from the '50s and '60s, when it was a totally different time in America.

It's like restoring/collecting/driving classic cars when you think about it.

 

[cwnidog]

While I have a Merkur Futur that I'm fond of, I'd have to say that 90%+ of my shaves are with vintage Gillettes of one kind or another.

 

[tbress]

While I have a Merkur Futur that I'm fond of, I'd have to say that 90%+ of my shaves are with vintage Gillettes of one kind or another.

I'm the opposite. I've been using a Futur for a year or so and I just got my first vintage razor, K-1 Slim (my birth quarter razor). I've been using it for the last week but I just can't get the same close shave I get from my Futur.

 

[rxonmymind]

All have their place in the rotation and have appreciated each vintage. But after having my Futur and EJ I've sold off all my other vintages as they couldn't compare to the near effortless shave of the Futur. Less passes and it just mows down multi day growth. The EJ is comparable to many vintages so technically it's a "new vintage "

 

[Clutch Cargo]

I prefer my vintage Gillettes, the newest of which is already 50 years old, and all of which are still working as well and looking as good today as the day they came out of the factory. As redrako asked in an earlier posting on this thread, "Are there contemporary razors that will be used by shavers 50 years from now?" Therein lies an interesting question. Are any of the metals used in most new razors capable of lasting as long and looking as good as the metals used in the vintage razors? Some of you who will be around in 50 years will be able to answer that question; but I'd be willing to bet that my vintage Gillettes, which will then be 100+ years old, will still work as well and look as good as they do today. Case in point: my vintage Gillette ABC Old Style, which is nearing 100 years old, both looks and functions as well as it did when it was brand new during the first World War.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I also prefer my vintage razors, something about them just works for me. However, that being said, I also enjoy shaves from my EJ, Slant, Merkur Progress and 11C very much. The vintage razors are built like tanks and superbly machined. The newer razors use a material which IMHO will not last as long as the vintage ones.

 

[Rschan]

I prefer old razors, Gillettes and SE razors a like. The only new ones I like are the Slants.

+1

 

[kingfisher]

The only modern razors I've tried that are as nice as a solid vintage Gilllette razor are the FaTip and the Joris.

 

[rxonmymind]

To answer to the durability of modern razor I do believe many three piece razors will last fifty years or more with care. As to the modern TTO that's doubtful. That Fatboy is a tank and as I observed after talking it apart well built.