What are these razors I just won on eBay

[houlejames]

Gillette adjustable K2. Is this a slim or fat boy?

Gilette not adjustable T2 with a black painted handle.

Don't know the years of either, but they look good and got them at a reasonable price. I have a Merkur 23C that I like but want to try some vintage Gillettes.
Any input appreciated. Thanks, Jim

 

[michiganlover]

Gillette adjustable K2. Is this a slim or fat boy?

Gilette not adjustable T2 with a black painted handle.

Don't know the years of either, but they look good and got them at a reasonable price. I have a Merkur 23C that I like but want to try some vintage Gillettes.
Any input appreciated. Thanks, Jim

K2 would be 2nd quarter of 1965, making it a Gillette Slim Adjustable. The fat boy wasn't made after 1961.

T2 is 2nd quarter 1973 making this a Black Handled Superspeed.

US Gillette Dating Information

 

[Oldguy]

The K2 and T2 are not model numbers but date codes. You will need to show photos for an ID. The T2 could also be a Knack.

Len

 

[sol92258]

K2 would be 2nd quarter of 1965, making it a Gillette Slim Adjustable. The fat boy wasn't made after 1961.

T2 is 2nd quarter 1973 making this a Black Handled Superspeed.

US Gillette Dating Information

there's your answer

 

[michiganlover]

The K2 and T2 are not model numbers but date codes. You will need to show photos for an ID. The T2 could also be a Knack.

Len

You are right, both the Knack, and Black Handled Superspeed had plastic handles.

Here is a photo comparison of the two models:

Black Handled Superspeed:

Gillette Knack:

 

[houlejames]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don't have the razors yet to take pictures of, but the black handle looks like painted metal, with the same knurled? metal handle as the slim and fat boy. Jim

 

[houlejames]

It's definitely a Superspeed. Thanks for the pictures and expert analysis. Jim

 

[fidjit]

Gillette adjustable K2. Is this a slim or fat boy?

Jim, for help identifying differences between Fatboy and Slim ( including date codes ) see my Sig !

 

[houlejames]

Thanks Ian, That was informative. I'm going to try the superspeed and slim out and see which I like the best and probably put the other one up for sale. I'm shaving now with a Merkur 23C and it's doing fine, but thought I would try some vintage gillettes just to see how they do. Back in the 60's I shaved with a gillette adjustable but think it was a slim and it did good. Been using Ronson electric razors for 20 or so years and just got tired of them and decided to go back to the double edge razors. Thanks everyone for the information. Nice to know what I bought. It's what I was hoping they were. The superspeeds are really light but so is the Merkur 23C and I like that so maybe I like the lighter razors?

 

[mmack66]

You are right, both the Knack, and Black Handled Superspeed had plastic handles.

I believe the Black Handle SS has a metal handle.

 

[houlejames]

Variation: Black Body Gillette Super Speed
Manufacturer: Gillette

Dates in Production:

Type: DE, TTO

Weight: 46g

Description: Identical to the nickel plated flare tip super speeds. The only difference is the handle is made of plastic instead of metal so the overall weight is slightly lighter than its predecessor.

Found this on the Gillette website. Jim

 

[r0ckrat]

You are right, both the Knack, and Black Handled Superspeed had plastic handles.

This isn't quite correct - the black handled super speed has an aluminum handle. I scraped mine with the dremel trying to clean it up. I can post pics if anyone cares.

 

[michiganlover]

This isn't quite correct - the black handled super speed has an aluminum handle. I scraped mine with the dremel trying to clean it up. I can post pics if anyone cares.

Hummmm....I was simply taking my info from the Wiki:

Wiki Entry for the Black Handled Superspeed

 

[AsylumGuido]

Hummmm....I was simply taking my info from the Wiki:

Wiki Entry for the Black Handled Superspeed

The wiki info is incorrect. The 70's style black handled Super Speed is resin coated metal, just as are the Super Adjustables of the same era. The resin coating is extremely durable and delivers an excellent grip.

 

[houlejames]

That's great. I would rather have the resin coated metal rather than the plastic. I wonder if scrubbing bubbles is ok to use for cleaning? Jim

 

[AsylumGuido]

That's great. I would rather have the resin coated metal rather than the plastic. I wonder if scrubbing bubbles is ok to use for cleaning? Jim

It is what I always use to clean mine. The scrubbing bubbles doesn't harm the resin at all.

 

[r0ckrat]

Is it OK for just anyone to go and update the Wiki entry?

 

[82R100]

That's great. I would rather have the resin coated metal rather than the plastic. I wonder if scrubbing bubbles is ok to use for cleaning? Jim

It would probably be a good idea not to boil it half an hour in OxyClean.

- Chris

 

[Biffo]

It is what I always use to clean mine. The scrubbing bubbles doesn't harm the resin at all.

Can anyone tell me what the UK equivalent of Scrubbing Bubbles is? I can't find any SB's anywhere

 

[AsylumGuido]

Can anyone tell me what the UK equivalent of Scrubbing Bubbles is? I can't find any SB's anywhere

Yup. Look for any brand of bathroom mousse. Cif should be available. They are basically the same as Scrubbing Bubbles. We just call it "foaming cleaner" instead of "mousse" here in the States.