Which British Gillette to try?

[drandall]

so...

i've never had a British gillette, but i oogle them on the BST. I'd love to try one but which one to try? i really like the shaves i get from my president and could go a bit more aggressive...but not to extremes

i'm looking for recommendations. factors include weight, balance, build quality and of course, performance....

who likes what? and why???

many thanks!

 

[nEver-Ready]

I really love my #16.

 

[Lando]

#15 or #16, depending upon whether you want open comb or safety bar. Cool razors and great shavers. You need to try one!

 

[Jake]

+1

Try them and you will have a hard time going back. They're Gillettes but seem like they're from another galaxy!

 

[xillion]

The British Long Comb Flat Plate New Head is one of the smoothest and best shaving razors I have ever used.

They look like this:

 

[PhatMan]

Hi,

My English #88 long comb two piece is my favourtie DE

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[krisvh]

+1

Try them and you will have a hard time going back. They're Gillettes but seem like they're from another galaxy!

I agree... i recently got a beat up #15 that makes me giggle everytime i use it..

guess its a combination of weight and perfect blade exposure and some other indescribable factor that makes these brits something else

 

[DerFly]

I have a Rocket HD which I highly recommend. That said, I'd LOVE to try a #15.

 

[Merkur25]

You have to try them all. They are amazing shavers!

 

[drandall]

You have to try them all. They are amazing shavers!

the problem is, i can't afford them all

that's why i'm asking which models people like....because i may only be able to afford one or two, i want them to be excellent representative samples of the breed.

 

[fidjit]

In terms of price/availability

Rocket HD
Aristocrat Jr
#16/#21 Closed Comb #15 Open Comb

 

[gearchow]

In terms of price/availability

Rocket HD
Aristocrat Jr
#16/#21 Closed Comb #15 Open Comb

At the top of the list is 40s style Rocket? AKA diamond base plate Aristo Jr. they are pretty darn good shavers, but the experience may be more similar to a 40s style Super Speed.

If you want a jumping off point, any will do, but the Rocket HD was my first Brit. razor and it's been a happy rush to the poor house since.

-jim

 

[Patrik]

Saw this thread, took my British '40s Rocket off the bench for the first time in about a month. Loaded it with a fresh Astra SP, facelathered with a Tabac shave stick (can't seem to bring myself to use anything else these days), and was rewarded with one sweeeeeeeeeet WTG/XTG/ATG shave. I don't normally go ATG, but this was one SMOOTH setup (sorry for shouting, but it was that good)

Don't know why I don't use that razor more often.

Question: is there a noticeable difference between the performance of the British HD Rocket and the '40s Rocket? (please tell me there isn't, my RAD has been subsiding quite nicely - you wouldn't want to be responsible for a relapse now, would you?)

 

[gearchow]

Question: is there a noticeable difference between the performance of the British HD Rocket and the '40s Rocket? (please tell me there isn't, my RAD has been subsiding quite nicely - you wouldn't want to be responsible for a relapse now, would you?)

The Rocket HD is so much better...



-jim

 

[Patrik]

The Rocket HD is so much better...



-jim

Oh you evil, evil man... how is it so much better?

 

[taffy]

There is only 1 answer to your question, ALL OF THEM

 

[gearchow]

Oh you evil, evil man... how is it so much better?

In all seriousness - I can be - I can't tell if one is closer or more aggressive, what does it for me is the style of the handle and the weight. The HD is a heavy razor. The 40s style Rocket is nice, but I'm very glad I own an HD Rocket. In fact, I am taking my #15 out of it's rotation (I love that open combed razor!) and I will put in a HD this Friday.

There have been a number of HD Rockets for sale here lately at reasonable prices.

-jim

 

[Merkur25]

the problem is, i can't afford them all

that's why i'm asking which models people like....because i may only be able to afford one or two, i want them to be excellent representative samples of the breed.

Right now I have the HD, #21 & #16.

Out of those I used the #21 and it was awesome.

My HD is mint so that wont be getting used and the #16 is across the Atlantic getting repaired so once that is back I can tell you more about the shave it delivers

 

[onotoman]

Apologies for the delay in getting your #16 back to you - I've been trying to find a suitable 'donor' for the silo door - I think I have one, so shouldn't be long now.

The #16 or #66 are great shavers. I would have let you know about the #15 but as mentioned in my other post - I've managed to break one of the teeth off it whilst trying to straighten it :-( - I never even got to shave with it!

Best wishes

Dave

Right now I have the HD, #21 & #16.

Out of those I used the #21 and it was awesome.

My HD is mint so that wont be getting used and the #16 is across the Atlantic getting repaired so once that is back I can tell you more about the shave it delivers

 

[onotoman]

If you really get into English-made razors, these are also fantastic shavers:

Eclipse Red Ring
Big Ben
Souplex
Laurel (some higher end models)
Velvet (some models - although one strange looking one cut me to shreads: