Gillette Shaves

Thank you

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Gillette Fatboy / Kai blade

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‘72 Super 84 Adjustable @5
Rapira Super Stainless (2)
Arko stick
B+M Cool Wave Splash
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Gillette Flare Tip (black handle) / Kai blade

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'62 Gillette Slim @5
Perma-Sharp (1)
Arko stick
B+M Cool Splash



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I have a complicated relationship with Slims... some shaves are good, some not so much. I don't think they are as efficient and pleasant to use as some other razors. In my subjective ranking of vintage Gillettes I've used so far, I'd place them about here:

Flare Tip Superspeeds >> 40's Style Superspeeds > Pre-War Techs > Super Adjustables > Slims > New LC > 1960's Techs

However. they are mechanical marvels, and beautiful.

Today was a good shave. Perma-sharps are a good match.

 

fine slim shave.that's a beauty.
slims aren't a favorite of mine also,well any adjustable really..but they are historically important.they are the last gillette produced in all brass format,last made in 1968.techs and flare tips were multi media at this point. a workhorse imo..got the job done,no flash nor bang..etc

 

Menthol Monday



RAZOR:Gillette W4 ‘51 Tech Walnut Handle-Dyed
BLADE: Gillette‌ Nacet
BRUSH: Heritage Ever-Ready 500E 26mm Gel Bulb
LATHER: Alaska, Focus 1915 Shaving Soap
POST: Alaska, Focus 1915 Aftershave Splash
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Pre-War Tech
Rapira Super Stainless (3)
Proraso Green
Skin Bracer
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I didn't quite like Rapiras in my Variant back when I started wet shaving in 2019, so I used two out of the sample tuck and threw the rest back in the box.
Now, pulled one out of the storage, and I am finding them very good in my vintage Gillettes. Sharp and smooth, in some razors they feel just as good as GSB or Nacet. Although they seem to be more razor-dependent.
Too bad they are so expensive now. Also it seems they changed since I bought my sample pack - the design on the wrapper is definitely different now. Well, I'll enjoy my remaining 3 blades.

 

'60 Tech
Perma-sharp (2)
Arko stick
Pinaud Clubman​

I always listed Post-War Tech as my least favorite Gillette, because it's so mild that I would end up with irritation from chasing BBS.

However, I haven't shaved with it in many months. Since then, I've been using a lot of different vintage Gillettes, I've changed my blade lineup... and after all, it's a very popular razor, and as the saying goes, "billions of flies can't all be wrong ".

So, I loaded it up with a well-used Perma-sharp, and proceeded to have a close, efficient shave. Probably the best overall shave I've ever had with this razor.

Now, I did use it with a fresh Feather before, so it can't all be the blade... but I am not going to over analyze this as long as I get a good shave with it repeatedly.

About the only problem with it that I haven't resolved is the original ball end handle. I just don't like it and this shave only reinforced my opinion. Too thin, slippery, uncomfortable to use. After the first pass, I've exchanged it for a Maggard MR7 handle and things went much better. I need to start looking for an authentic Gillette fat handle in a mint condition to pair with it.

 

this is the heaviest factory fat handle available it is one piece and heavier/thicker contruction than standard fat handles.standard fat handles have thin tube construction with press fit threaded end.this handle comes up regularly on ebay france and in a few different sets.one could fill a standard fat handle with epoxy or other to make it heavier also,if that is what you want.the only advantage to the ball end handle is it's weight.

 

Thanks. It’s not the weight of the handle that I dislike, it’s how thin and slippery it is.

I actually quite like the “regular” fat handle, I have one on my pre-war Tech. I think it pairs nicely with any Tech. But, I like to keep a dedicated handle on a razor I use often.

I will start looking for a Gillette fat handle in a good condition. I like to keep the vintage razors authentic to experience them the way they were used before I was born… but AFAIK they sold post-war Techs with both the ball end and fat handles for a while.

 

‘60 Tech
Maggard MR7 handle
Perma-sharp (3)
Proraso Green
Aqua Velva​

Another great shave with this razor that at one point I gave up on.

 

yes they did,ununtil 1954 in canada,'52 in england,52-4 in the states..

 

Gillette Fatboy / Gillette Stainless

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Gillette Blue Tip / Gillette Stainless

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Classy set there Gary, and setup of course

 

The Vintage-Vintage Gillette Shave

'56 Superspeed
'52 Gillette Thin Blade (1)
Arko stick
Skin Bracer
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I've had three NOS Gillette Thin blades for a while, with date code X1 (which I found to be the 1st quarter of 1952). I've been hesitant to try them because a few people complained about old carbon blades losing edge and being rough.

Today, I finally decided to do it. To get as "authentic" of an old shave as possible, I paired the blade with a 1956 Superspeed, tallow soap (modern Arko), and followed up with a splash of Skin Bracer - which, based on my research, is the oldest continuously produced commonly available American aftershave (they did change the formula at some point to work with plastic bottles).

To my pleasant surprise, this was actually a very nice shave. The blade is smooth and sharp, on par with the best modern Gillette blades I've used. Whatever happened over these 72 years, it has held its edge just fine.

The next shave will be with even more time-appropriate 1953 "40's style" Superspeed. It's a bit more aggressive than the flare tip so I was hesitant to use it for the first try.

 

thank you Chris.

 

very cool.nice shave.

 

Menthol Monday



RAZOR: Gillette W4 ‘51 Tech Walnut Handle-Dyed
BLADE: Gillette‌ 7 O'clock SharpEdgeYellow
BRUSH: Heritage Ever-Ready 26mm Maggard SHD Fan
LATHER: ‌Luna Cosmetics Mentolado Shaving Soap
POST: Williams Aqua Velva Aftershave (Spain)
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