My '51 SS and my Ranger Tech have both served me well. I also had a pretty good turn with my Red Tip recently, but I think it's going to be pretty blade dependent.
My '48'50,58TV,and 66 Super Speeds all give me a good shave,using Derby Extra,Iridium Super,7/o'clock yellows,Wilkinson sword[german] blades. I have a lot of shaving pleasure using these old Gillette razors. Roger
I have used a Forties SS, a Flare Tip and one from 1970. I prefer the Forties to the other two although all three are good razors. Wp
I too like the 40s SS better than the flare-tip; I prefer a Rocket or an Aristocrat Jr to either. That said they're all good and useful razors goshawk
I have both a '49 SS and a '54 SS, and prefer the '54. I love the 50's style design, even though the '49 is better balanced.
My favorite is probably a red tip but they all shave well. I don't use TTO's much but a SS gives me just as good a shave as an adjustable.
I think 1958 was the best year of Gillette's non-adjustable razor selection. Super Speed, Heavy, Light (red tip & blue tip), and the '58 TV special. All great razors. To be honest, if you've shaved with one super speed... Handle weights are the main differentiating factors. One reason the heavy Rocket (British super speed) is so desirable.
Honestly I think the 40's style SuperSpeed is one of the finest razors Gillette made even if it is a bit prosaic. If we are including Rockets in the conversation I would vote for the HD Rocket 500 as my favorite.
I've never used a 50's one. I've used one from the 40's, 60's, and 70's. The shaves weren't very good, but the 60's was the best out of those three decades I listed.
+1. I would also add the English flare tips as well. The 58 English TV special w/ Rhodium plating is a looker and a great shaver.
don't forget that in 1954 Gillette made two SS models. A 1940's style ending with the Z-3 & 4 TV special and then a 1954 with a flared tip.
I have a48-50 super speed and a 59 super speed flair tip, the 48 is one of my favorite razors in my weekly rotation.
