Vintage Gillette Vs newer DE razors?
- Thread starter nsl
- Start date
I use new and vintage but if forced to choose I would have to pick vintage. There might be a case to be made that by purchasing new models you help support the market but there is something about using a 50/75/100 year old razor that I find comforting.
Your tech is a bit milder than the Merkurs out there and likely even a bit milder than a DE89. Outside of that, it's mostly just preference. I have a few vintage razors and a couple of new ones, Merkur and EJ included. I probably use my DE89 more than anything else but I wouldn't give my vintage Gillettes away for nothing.
The modern razors are just as nice and do just a good a job. It really depends on your prep and technique. For build quality, i would have to say the vintages were better made with the exception of most of the stainless steel moderns.
+1. It's nice to have a few vintage and modern razors. They just don't make 'em like they used to is all I can say about vintage Gillettes.
I love Vintage razors!! They are all I use.
Sure vintage razors are better made back then but I prefer new razors that where just produced mainly because they look perfect. I am crazy about the condition of things i buy and I prefer brand new things. I do own one vintage razor but I my merkur 1904 Performs very well with my favorite Lord Super Stainless blade in it. I need to try a Lord blade in my Super speed but I fear that A Mild razor and Mild blade is just not going to cut it so to speak.
Most modern razors lack the quality of vintage brass base metal razors. Most of the new ones are pot metal. There some new ones that are high quality, but they are far and few between.
You'll get various answers. Generally I prefer and use vintage razors, although I love my FaTip modern open comb paired with a modern Tradere handle.
A Gillette NEW head on a big fat modern handle is the best of both worlds.
Vintage or new, you can get a good shave from either. When I first started to shave, what we now consider vintage were the only razors (except electrics) available. I got hand-me-downs from my father & older brother and still have a few kicking around. But I don't have any nostalgic love of old Gillettes and with the exception of a long comb new (with a custom BRW handle & beautifully replated), I only use modern razors now. My 23 year old son has a bunch of vintage razors and enjoys mixing it up between the two. So whatever works best for you should be the razor of choice.
I have a few vintage on the way to me. I am curious if I will keep them or just sell them since the de89 is better.
Will find out this week
If I like the vintage, I will send them for restoring and replating.
Will find out this week
If I like the vintage, I will send them for restoring and replating.
Ugly?! No sir! No Gillette razor, regardless of condition is ugly. Tarnished? Clean that bad boy up!
Put some baking soda on it and pour in some nice hot water and give it some scrubs with an old toothbrush and it'll look good in no time.
Seeing as it's a ball end tech, you might want to try an adjustable razor. I've used newer models (Lord L6 and Merkur Progress) and for me, nothing compares to the weight and feel of a Gillette Fatboy.
I find that my vintage Gillettes (I have two of them) still provide great shaves --- but the shave is a little on the mild side for me. My Merkur 34 HD is my daily use razor right now. High quality, more aggressive than the Gillettes (but not obscene), and provide a very comfortable shave with a variety of blades. But, I will not get rid of my vintage razors. Something to be said for that little piece of history
You can get a great shave with any razor that's in good working order. If I had to rate my preference:
1. Mergress
2. Gillette Slim
3. EJ DE89
1. Mergress
2. Gillette Slim
3. EJ DE89
P
pdillon
The three razors you are talking about: vintage Gillette Tech, EJ DE89, and Merkur 34C are all solid-bar razors. Some are modern, some are vintage. There is going to be a limited amount of difference between them. If you want to try different razors, it would be better to try different types of heads, such as open comb, adjustable, and slants, either vintage or modern. You will see a greater difference between these types of razors. The question of vintage vs modern is really a connoisseur's question and it will be fun to decide for yourself.
Vintage. I had a new R41 but I gave it to my son. Since then, I have not been tempted by any new razors. That might change.
Tarnished and ugly can be cleaned up. The old Gillettes are good user razors. I have a Red Tip, SS, adjustable, Aristrocrate (ugly as hell and missing half the gold plating but works great), and a Schick Kronos. Also recently purchased a Merkur HD 34c which is now my daily razor. The Merkur is just slightly more aggressive than my Gillette Redtip but found it gives me pretty close to BBS even when I'm not trying. Its really a matter of personal choice. Try out different razors until you find the one you love and then use the heck out of it.
If you like the way the tech shaves then why not stick with it and get it replated?
I started several weeks ago with an EJ DE89 and it works great. I also ordered a Gillette Slim adjustable which got here last week. I've shaved with it a few times now, but this morning I went back to the EJ. To me it has better balance and I feel I have more control than I do with the Gillette. The EJ just looks cooler too IMO.
