Can anyone tell me about this vintage Gillette Flare Tip A-1 I just bought off eBay? I got it for $11.50 including shipping. Did I get a good deal? Any info would be awesome. Also, I don't plan on using it, I thought it looked cool and it was pretty cheap. Thx again!
It looks like it has some rust on the inside which is kinda concerning. Plus I'm planning on buying a new Edwin Jagger as my daily use razor. I do, however, plan on cleaning it up as much as possible.
For some great info, click on the sticky at the top of this forum then click on the Super Speed links.
They are made of brass so they can't rust. You are either seeing brass showing where the finish is worn away, or some rust left behind from a blade that may have set in it for years, which can be easily removed. A1 means it was produce in the first quarter of 1955. It would be a real shame to only display it and not put it to use.
the handle shape really helped me take my technique up a notch. it changed the way I hold all my other razors.
Great deal on a great razor- should clean up very nice. I have a 48-50 and use it several times a week. Coupled with a sharp blade one of the best razors out there. Definitely use it and enjoy!
Good score, good price and it will clean up nicely. You definately should shave with it. It might change how you feel about an EJ 3 piece. I started with TTO's Feather Popular, Gillette SuperSpeeds, Aristocrats and Adjustables.. My favorite TTO was the 40's-50's Aritstocrat, although I enjoyed them all, but my first 3 piece turned my head.. You can never tell until you give it a try..
Nice. Good to know. I've watched a couple vids on how to clean it up and whatnot. I'm definitely looking forward to receiving it.
Hahaha. I figured I wasn't going to be too upset at spending under $15 for this razor. Either I spent $11 on an awesome deal (which it's starting to sound like) or I spent $11 on a cool vintage gillette. It was a win win in my mind.
Never let others tell you what blade to use, let your face tell you. Get a sample pack and experiment. Blades are the most YMMV item in shaving.
OR... you could refer to >this< very unscientific compilation of self-reported TSDers' blades faves. It ain't science, but I betcha that it is a fairly safe list to work through in search of your personal favorites. (Some sampler packs contain a few duds that are favored by few... but you never know! One of the "duds" could be your favorite. That's the whole agony and ecstasy of this stupid hobby! You never know until you know, you know? So blades become like Pokemon - gotta try 'em all. <sigh>)
To me it looks like that's just residue from old shaving soap or maybe glue spots from a blade. I think that'll clean up nicely and you should definitely give it a spin. That SuperSpeed could be the only razor you really ever need. Just remember that at first, most of the problems you have are because of your technique and that'll get better as you get used to the razor.