I understand the appeal of something new and never used. I started with a new modern DE razor. However, I soon gave in to the desire to experience razors like my dad used. Started with a 64 Slim and 64 SS for my birth year. In short order the Super Speed took the place of my Merkur 34c as my daily razor. Much easier to use and the shaves were better for me. Then I was drawn to trying an open comb. Picked up a replated New Long Comb. Oh my, I do love shaving with it. The vintage razors were made to last unlike many things produced today. Give them a try, you might find you like them as well or better. If not they are fairly easy to sell on the forum.
I am starting to come around to this POV, but my relatively new interest—I've been using my Merkur Progress for almost 5 years—suggests to me that I should start a new hunt for the almost ideal DE blade for the Gillette, as I find the Personna Red a little lacking in my Super Speed. Second to the blades consideration is the frustration of watching ebay auctions. There is quite a dichotomy between the claims of low prices I read here and the prices I see for many of the vintage Gillette razors. The condition of some of the razors would make me ashamed if I were the seller in some of these auctions. I have a very nice Super Speed, but I am not convinced that it can give me the close shave that I get from my Merkur. Maybe a Fat Boy would be the way to go, but with most prices exceeding modern razors I've been a bit apprehensive about bidding on them.
I can't recall seeing a straight razor in a barber shop since the 1960s. Of course, there's only one real barber shop left in Baton Rouge, all of the other hair cutters are unisex chain stores.
Here in north Carolina you can still get straight razor shaves. I assumed other states were the same.
All my all metal vintage razors were put into boiling water for a few minutes and then thoroughly cleaned. I used rubbing alcohol and scrubbing bubbles on the others. I'm a total germaphobe and am comfortable using the vintage razors I've acquired. Honestly your biggest risk is receiving razors from eBay with blades still in them. Who knows what's on them and there is always the slight risk of cutting yourself while removing it and exposing yourself to something. When I got my Slim a year or so ago not only did it still have a blade in it but it was also full of hair. It was pretty nasty.
Hi Lionel and welcome to TSD! The reason I like to use vintage razors is because I like to put old utensils back to use. You might call me an old fashioned guy and you would be probably right! Rest assured that you don't have to be 'into vintage' to fit in over here! If you like modern razors more, that is just fine. There are lotsa great modern razors to explore as well! As @swarden43 says: "it's your shave, enjoy it your way" Again: welcome! Happy Shavings!
EXACTLY! That's always been one of the biggest parts of the charm for me...a daily reminder of a greatness long passed.
I share the love of putting something that was discarded or at least neglected back to its original use. I love my EJ89, the craftsmanship, finish and all of that, but restoring an old Gillette back to prime condition and letting go back to its designed purpose is just so incredibly satisfying. It's a reminder of the days when we weren't a throwaway society. Things were built to last and when properly maintained will outlast us all. While some of the new razors will undoubtedly last as long there is some debate over the true quality as it is compared to the older razors. I'm about to do the 30 day rule with a 1918 Gillette Old Style and it's going to be fun to see a 96 year old razor put back to work. It's amazing to realize it was made before my Dad was born and, in fact, my Grandpa served in WWI when the razor was made. It has outlived both of them and is still going strong. If it was actually one of their razors it would mean even more, but I'm not that lucky in this case.
As a user of vintage Gillette's (own '59 Fat Boy, '67 Slim Adjustable, 40's Super Speed, '55 Flair Tip & '67 Black Handle SS) their quality was second to none. They were made of brass and many of these 50+ year old beauties look and shave as good today as they did decades ago. Merkur's and Edwin Jaggers (own 1 of each) are fine razors but are made of pot metal which is a much cheaper material and only time will tell if they will hold up like the old razors. These razors shave very well, but to me, not as well as any of my Gillette's (YMMV). Vintage razors are also very nostalgic and searching for good ones, in great shape at great prices (all 5 of these razors cost me less than $100) is a big part of their appeal to me. Look at it this way, how many items can you think of that have lasted 50-60 years and work as well today as they did when they were new? As far as germs and infection, a good cleaning with something like "scrubbing bubbles" will remove dirt and crud and kill just about every germ on it. Plus we're using soap with a new blade so the risk is just the shave itself. However, shaving is a very personal thing and if you're not comfortable using a vintage or used razor then don't. Just use what you enjoy and feel comfortable with.
Nostalgia aside vintage razors for the most part IMO are made of better quality material(solid brass vs. zamack) and in many cases better workmanship(American craftsmanship from 30+ years ago vs. currant Chinese manufacture techniques). As far as engineering and design goes nothing made today with a "VERY" few exceptions, functions any differently from the way it functioned originally. Pretty much any modern razor(TTO,2/3 piece, Solid Bar, CC or OC) you buy today is a clone of a razor from way back when with few exceptions. While modern razors such as Edwin Jagger, Muhle, Merkur, Maggard, Fatip, Cadet, Sabi, and Parker do offer reasonable and in some cases very good quality safety razors at affordable prices, they are still not quite as well made as vintage safety razors. IMO to approach the quality(material, craftsmanship and durability) of a vintage "ALL" brass Gillette, Star, Gem, ER, MMOC, etc. razor currently you would need IMO to get an "ALL" stainless steel safety razor from a manufacturer like Weber, ATT, Tradere, Feather, Pils or iKon. My favorite safety razors are a Weber SS DLC 3 piece, Gillette "NEW" Long Comb OC, Cadet OC and an ER1924 SE.
I started DE shaving about two months ago and I started with an EJ89 like many people on this forum did. Although I like my EJ89, I wanted a razor that was well made, one that is designed to last over several generations. I have since purchased two vintage Gillettes. Most modern DE razors are made with a base of pot metal with a thin chrome plating. The Gilletes I have are made from a abase of bronze/brass and one is nickle plated and the other is gold plated. That is GOLD, not gold tone. One was made in 1962, and the other was made Between 1946-1950. Both are in perfect condition with no plate loss, and will serve me well for a long time. In fact, as long as I take good care of them, my yet to be born great grandson should also get many years of service from them. I'd bet no pot metal razor will last 100 years or more.
I have been considering a Gillette New for a while as I don't own any OC razors. Is it aggressive? I use my FB and SA on 5...........
For what its worth: I've owned an assortment of both vintage models (mostly Gillettes- SS, fatboy, Slim, News, Techs, etc.) as well as a number of more modern DE razors. I enjoyed most of the vintage razors, but sold the majority of them off with the exception of perhaps one or two. I've also sold off most of my modern razors as well, but have kept my overall preferred DE razor(s) —the Muhle R41, both the 2011 & 2013 version.
