Weishi vs. Gillette Super Speed

[chrisf8657]

OK guys,

No comparison on build quality. However, how do you all feel they shave when put head to head?
Since the Weishi is supposed to be a knock off of the Super Speed...

 

[Nomad1600]

I have a Weishi 2003-M. And yes, the quality difference is apparent right away. It's made of AL which means the thing weighs next to nothing. So the instruction "let the weight of the razor shave you" really doesn't seem to apply. I used it for a few days then got a Slim. I should try the Weishi again now that I have a few weeks under my belt. I had planned to keep it as a travel razor since I wouldn't care if it got lost, stolen, or left behind, but I may instead assign another Gillette for that role.

fwiw, on another shave board I saw someone post that the Weishi (model # not given)has a blade gap of 22 thousandths of an inch while blue tip SS (the mildest of the SS's) has a 23 thousandths of an inch. Someone on B&B measured out a 2003-M as being 26 thousandths of an inch. An ebay seller listed the net weight of a 2003-M as 25mg.

 

[Kent Kimmons]

Weishi tolerances are too large. Looks like a SS but sure doesn't shave like one. I'm keeping my Weishi as it was the first razor I bought myself and I used it on and off for 6 months. Thank I bought my Merkur 1904 Classic and started shaving. I've actually considered gluing the Weishi shut and making it a paperweight.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

The Weishi is so mild that I re-shaved this morning. It's pretty, but I've "outgrown" it by now.

 

[cpcohen1945]

Whatever the published numbers are, my Weishi is a much milder razor than my SuperSpeed. The Weishi is a good introduction to DE shaving (because you're unlikely to get cut) and a good travel razor (because no tears if it's lost).

. Charles

 

[BarbaGnosa]

I was curious about the same issue. How do these classic Gillette classic models, the SuperSpeed and Tech, compare to their contemporary, ultra-inexpensive Chinese knock-offs, the the Weishi and the Sodial? I was particularly curious because both SuperSpeeds and Techs can be found in shaveworthy condition in the $10-20 range, just a few bucks more than the knock-offs. I'd like to assemble the best possible DE starter-kit for around $20, and at that level a few bucks makes a big difference.

Gillette SuperSpeed v Weishi
Because of its lightness, the Weishi requires the shaver to compensate by applying more pressure, which, once you've got DE shaving technique down, feels transgressive and incorrect. While the Weishi aluminum is probably just as strong as a SuperSpeed, its lightness makes the Weishi seem flimsy and inconsequential, a disposable toy compared to the SuperSpeed. Nonetheless, it provides a shave about 95% the same -- milder even than the mild SuperSpeed, with a slightly smaller blade gap and/or exposure. If you're prepping and lathering right, the SuperSpeed can provide a BBS shave after three passes, the Weishi after four with some spot buffing.

Gillette Tech v Sodial
I've made the same comparison between the Gillette Tech and the Sodial. While the Sodial is also comparatively light, it's not as much lighter than the Tech as the Weishi is to the SuperSpeed. It feels more solid and substantial than the Weishi, while actually being a smaller, finer boned razor. The Sodial has a screw-on handle bottom, which has an unfortunate tendency to not stay firmly screwed on, and I'm tempted to epoxy it shut. Nonetheless, the Sodial offers a very soft, smooth, close shave, very similar to the Tech, and can provide a BBS shave using pretty much the same technique and number of passes as a Tech.

While the Sodial's weight lends gravitas to the accuracy of its reproduction of the Tech, I actually expect the Weishi, because of its solid cast aluminum construction, and despite its moving TTO parts, to outlast the Sodial, which feels as if its thin chrome (?) veneer would barely last a year. But, in a way, that's exactly what I want.

What?! Well, what I've been researching is the least expensive DE starter kit which can nonetheless provide a quality, pleasurable, BBS shave, and a fairly accurate taste of what DE shaving is all about. Just enough to provide guys with the tools to get their technique down, learn prep, lathering, learn how to handle a very forgiving, comfortable close razor with very sharp yet comfortable (and affordable) blades, with a great pre-shave and soap. This DE shaving gift is intended to have a built in obsolescence of about six months to a year -- just long enough for someone to get a quality experience of DE shaving, long enough to get their prep and technique down, with just enough of the right tools to be able to produce a nice, delicious BBS shave. And after a few months of that the soap, pre-shave, and blades run out, the razor finish begins to discolor (although the brush and mug will endure), and if they've been enjoying it, it's time for them to get a more satisfying, durable razor, a blade sampler, pre-shave, and soap. And, nudging them to buy their own helps more deeply engage them.

Sure, if I could afford to give everyone a $50 dollar DE shaving starter kit, I'd like to include an actual vintage Tech or SuperSpeed, which can generally be gotten shaveworthy for about ~$20, and an Omega boar brush. But for $50 I can only afford a few, and reach less than half the people. At $20 each, I can put together ten at once without too much an outlay, always have a few on hand, and give them out on every guy's (over the age of 16) birthday I celebrate during the year -- if I'd buy you a couple of drinks, or a book, or a dinner instead (or possibly in addition) you'd get this little high-value DE shaving kit, and it would feel (look and perform for the most part) like a much classier gift worth two to three times the price.

Here's my envisioned ultra-cost-effective-high-value DE shaving gift kit:
Sodial razor $2.25, BestShave's $3 horse-hair brush, Astra SPs, Proraso Green travel size 2.6 oz soap tub (or Bigelow 1.7oz tube), Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap 2 oz (various fragrances) as pre-shave $3, stainless steel mug from AliExpress for $4/each.

 

[Adelberg]

I've been reading a lot about the Weishi. From what I've seen is that there are different kinds and it's the 9306-H that's the best. But that's just what I've read.

 

[ateace]

The heavier, non-aluminum Weishis give me a better shave.

 

[asddsa]

In other parts of the world than USA, there is problem=expensive to buy old Gillettes. That is why I tried Weishi 9306 ( copper version ) and something like Sodial/RiMei/etc. Weishi has far better feeling of its finish than Sodial/RiMei/etc. but I get better,easier shave with RiMei. I am going to put some lead fishing balls into RiMei´s handle to make it heavier. I was just curious what these cheap razors can do. Life is too short to have serious shaves with these razors. Buy EJ/Mühle DE/R89 and you will get good weight, great finish, very good shave and more pleasure from shave ritual.

 

[BarbaGnosa]

...but I get better,easier shave with RiMei. I am going to put some lead fishing balls into RiMei´s handle to make it heavier.

Good idea.

 

[Sharecropper]

I have a Weishi 9306-B (satin gold finish). About a month ago I did a shaving comparison between the Weishi and my 1975 Gillette Super Speed.

I considered using a different Super Speed as my benchmark. To that end, I compared the Weishi to my '52 black-tip, '55 blue-tip, and '57, '62, and '64 flare tips as well as the '75 black-handled design. The head design of the Weishi appears almost identical to the 1975 Super Speed, so I chose that as my benchmark razor.

In terms of performance, I found virtually no differences between the two. I posted a brief report of my findings on my blog:

http://sonofsharecroppers.wordpress.com/2013/04/28/that-unseen-eye-is-watching-you-2/

I try not to give too much weight to nuances between shaves. Personal observations are always, of necessity, anecdotal, not truly experimental. Further, based on my experience, I believe that any razor is capable of a range of shaves on any given day, depending on the particular blade, the condition of one's beard, prep, and no doubt a number of other things. (I have questioned whether humidity plays a role in performance.) For example, my 1946-47 Aristocrat can vary from mild to almost wild.

My bottom line: I'm perfectly happy with my Weishi. I prefer other razors (especially my NEW, my '55 President, and a black-handled open-comb Cadet TP-26). And I'll typically reach for my Gillette Super Speeds over the Weishi for sentimental reasons. (In particular, two of my Super Speeds belonged to my father, who died in 1967; using his Super Speeds helps connect me to him.) But I wouldn't hesitate recommending the 9306-B to a new user.

 

[01HDFXD]

I have a 9306F which, I believe but may be wrong, is slightly heavier than some of the other Weishis. I also have a '57 SS Flair Tip. In terms of feel, construction and durability, etc., there is no comparison. However, where the rubber meets the road, I find that both give me a BBS with the same amount of work. I also think that the Weishi MIGHT give a slightly longer-lasting shave, but that might be a result of the blade, and I haven't done any kind of controlled experiments on them, at least not yet.

Bottom line: I keep the Weishi in my travel kit, but I use the SS in my daily rotation, which pretty much says it all.

 

[mmack66]

Never used a Weishi, but I just had a fantastic shave with a 50-year old flare tip Super Speed, so a Weishi would have to be pretty good to match it.

 

[01HDFXD]

Never used a Weishi, but I just had a fantastic shave with a 50-year old flare tip Super Speed, so a Weishi would have to be pretty good to match it.

As with many razor comparisons, the difference seems to be not so much in the final result as in the pleasure and satisfaction of getting there. In those terms, there is no comparison, but I do get a BBS out of both.

 

[grinbergs]

I received my Weishi 9306-F today and I have used it once. I have to say I am pleased with the first results - it felt more heavy in the hand than my 1970 Gillette Knack but the handle was shorter leaving the Knack better in my hand IMHO. Three passes and it is a mild shaver - but I was pretty smooth after the shave.

 

[mmack66]

As with many razor comparisons, the difference seems to be not so much in the final result as in the pleasure and satisfaction of getting there. In those terms, there is no comparison, but I do get a BBS out of both.

Well, when I started out, the price of a Super Speed razor wasn't much more than the price of a Weishi razor. It likely makes more sense to buy a Weishi these days, unless their price has risen along with that of the Super Speed.

 

[chongo gordo]

I had the nickel-plated brass Weishi. I think the shave was very similar to the more modern Gillette Super Speeds (Blue Tip, Black handle silver tip), and it was cool to see what brand new plating looks like.
It didn't shave well compare to the 40's Super Speeds or Red Tip.

 

[ivan_101]

I have a chrome Weishi, 1960 super-speed with the higher profile head an a 1973 black handle super-speed. The difference between them superspeeds and the weishi is that with super-speeds you can have BBS, with weishi never. It is so mild, I would only recommend it for 15-16 year old guys who only start shaving.

 

[BSAGuy]

I think if you buy a Weishi, you'll end up with a Super Speed or another razor as your shaver and the Weishi in the drawer. I'd save the ## and skip the Weishi since you're going to trade up anyway.

 

[porchdog]

I have the Weishi 9306-G which is the heavier brass model. I also have many vintage Gillette SS, Tech & Slims. The Weishi is fairly solid shaver but it is so mild I would not compare it to my SS. Fact it is even much more mild than any of my Techs. But with 4 shims under the blade I get pretty good shave. It would be ideal for a starter and it is a darn good lookin razor and it comes with a nice little travel case to boot.