Would You Use This or Keep it as a Collectors Piece?

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Ok, so just last week, I acquired this cased 1955 Gillette Red-Tip SS:

The razor itself is in Mint Condition, and from what I was told, may possibly have never been used.

Would you throw this razor into your rotation, and because it has a case, maybe even travel with it (which is what I would like to do with it) or would you keep it in a display case as a collectors piece? Also, would you use the blades that are pictured with it or not at all? (and by the way, is that little blue blade dispenser refillable?)

 

[sigmasix]

Personally if that's that mint I'd keep it myself to be honest, and just get a good/excellent condition off ebay to use daily.

The reason I'd keep it is that there's only a limited number of mints left, slowly going down year by year .. even the ones that haven't been found are only finite...

 

[Maher]

Hi

Very nice mint red, if I am not going to use it then I will sell it and use the blades, you can refill it but it is tricky and you might end up cutting yourself if not careful.

good luck and thank you for sharing

 

[AsylumGuido]

I would most likely keep it for display. I definitely wouldn't use the blades. While the Blue Blades were a mainstay for Gillette for many years, they were no where near the quality of later blades. Besides, that is a nice dispenser and I would want to keep it filled.

 

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Shoot! I was hoping that it would be my travel razor, but yeah, I just took another look at it and there's not a single mark on it anywhere. The thing is in mint condition. Yeah, I'd better not use it. Well, looks like I'm in the market for another Red-Tip...lol

 

[dpm802]

Nice find!

Its definitely a Collector/Display piece ... you can travel with almost anything, you don't need a fitted case, just toss it in a soap box or a drawstring bag along with a pack of blades.

But a razor like that Red Tip is much too pretty to take on the road ... and I'd even be reluctant to use it at home, since all it takes is one shave and it will never be Mint again.

 

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Nice find!

Its definitely a Collector/Display piece ... you can travel with almost anything, you don't need a fitted case, just toss it in a soap box or a drawstring bag along with a pack of blades.

But a razor like that Red Tip is much too pretty to take on the road ... and I'd even be reluctant to use it at home, since all it takes is one shave and it will never be Mint again.

Good point. I do want to find a Red-Tip just like it in good condition that I can use and take on the road with me.

 

[luvmysuper]

Just for info, whether you decide to use the razor or another one..

1. Those cases do NOT make good travel cases, they are far too fragile.

2. There are a LOT more razors around than there are cases, especially cases in good condition.

I frequently will buy a razor just because of the good case it's in, even though I have the razor already.

Just my perspective.

 

[Manos]

I'm going to buck the trend here. If I had this razor, I would use it. I would save the blades, for the reason AsylumGuido mentioned. I would find a different razor to travel with, though.

If you leave this razor in a display case, you will occasionally see it as you pass by the case, but probably not feel the weight or enjoy the shine of the nickel at different angles, as you would if you used it.

Just as the number of mint red tips is slowly decreasing, the opportunities you will have to enjoy yours are, unfortunately, also slowly decreasing. Put them to good use.

 

[BroJohn]

Definitely use the razor. It's one of the best that Gillette ever produced.

-- John Gehman

 

[Prince]

Mint-shmint - use the razor.

Unless you are starting a mint collection, you'll end up wondering why your collection only has one razor.

'Course, I drive both cars in my car collection, so what do I know.

 

[DSB]

If you decide to not use it, please get yourself another red tip that you will use. It is a fantastic shaver!

 

[Groundhog]

If you're going to collect, keep it as is and find a second one to use. Red Tips are common enough that you should be able to find a user-grade specimen without a whole lot of trouble.

If you're not a collector, you can either use it and have a mint razor to shave with, or sell it to a collector and find yourself a another to use.

 

[GarageBoy]

Yeah, plenty of users already

 

[Gafer]

I'm thinking if you had a '66 Mustang you'd drive it no matter how "mint" it was, so why not do the same with this fine razor?

 

[GMen]

I say use it, unless of course your going to start collecting....

 

[Drubbing]

It's your choice, use it as you wish.

Some people feel differently and will buy razors to both use and collect. I'm not a collector; I occasionaly buy vintage fountain pens I'm going to use, and recently a got vintage slim.

Unless you just want to admire it, or sell it if scarcity ups the prices, then shave with it.

 

[thirdeye]

Keep it for your collection. There are plenty of Red Tips around that are good for shaving.

 

[DanOK]

I would use it tomorrow.

 

[donkennison]

IMHO ,,,, USE IT. Live and enjoy every moment, even something as trivial as shaving with a mint razor. You only go around once, make it count and savor every second if you have it, someday its all over. I know thats a bit "deep" considering this is a razor we are speaking about. That said if looking at it alone gives you that much joy, so be it. For me, I would take it on a ride every chance. Either way ENJOY IT!