Hello all- Well, I guess I am the newest newbie and just wanted to say how glad I am to be able to join and be a part of this group and site. I have looked around here and am impressed with the great website and all the experience, knowledge and wisdom of all you members here. I have just discovered you and the wet shaving tradition and wonder if I might ask for everyone’s guidance and advice as I am just beginning my journey down this road again. FYI - I am now 60 and I previously wet shaved as a teenager only and I grew a beard in the 70’s and have had a beard all these years since. So I have experience with a DE and feel very comfortable with the technique. I have recently clean shaven and I am new again at this and I am not a collector, but only looking for a really good vintage razor to purchase to shave as my good daily “user’s” razor that I will really enjoy using every morning. From the models that I have seen that I feel I might be interested in trying are the Aristocrat, Diplomat, Executive and President Styles. My questions are this… It seems that I have read that the gold finish razors do not wear as well as the silver ones? Of the models I listed, are they all gold finish, except the President? What model do you recommend as I do NOT want to spend a great deal? I have read it is affordable to get them refinished. So if I purchase one that needs it, would you recommend that and I could finish any of the models in rhodium, nickel, silver rather than gold? I appreciate your collective wisdom on my starting thoughts! Thank you!
Welcome, nice to have you here. I have not used any of those razors, so I won't be of much help there.
Welcome to TSD! :wave: Glad you've joined. I don't have much experience with vintage Gilletes, but there are many knowledgable denizens who'll be able to help. You're correct about gold plating wearing poorly over time. It's also harder to keep looking its best because things we use in cleaning & polishing other metals will remove gold plating. (Never boil or use barbicide on gold tone metals. Do not use abrasives or metal polishes). Gillette plating is quite thin to boot. You'll have lots of options for great vintage Gilletes. Here is a great reference site: http://www.mr-razor.com/
Welcome. You might want to post in the Want to Buy section. There may be someone willing to part with one. I don't have any of those models so I'm no help either. But IMO if you're only buying one razor, buy the one you want. Even if you spend a fair amount on it, you'll enjoy it for many years which is worth more than you'll probably have to spend.
Hi and welcome to the shave den, yes the gold plating does show wear quicker than the Nickel or rhodium finished razors, I have 20+ razors at the moment (way more than I need/want) but my main razor is a late 40's gold plated USA Aristocrat, it has plating loss and a lazy door, but I would not change it. It is quite a mild but very smooth razor for me, with you not knowing how aggressive you want the razor maybe a Gillette slim adjustable would be an option 9 different setting nice nickel finish as executive/diplomat and president prices run quite high for good ones. (You can always have razors re-plated) and as you ask any finish is offered by most re-platers ie Gold,silver,rhodium,nickel and some offer black nickel prices vary with rhodium being the most expensive, British Aristocrats and typically finished in Rhodium and are more aggressive shave than the US models and will sell for more. I hope this has helped you. Im no expert and im sure someone with more knowledge than me will be along at some point, I really quoting from my own experiences and as always YMMV (Your Millage May Vary)
to TSD denshaver.........I hope you enjoy it here.... All of your razor choices are good and will basically shave the same "YMMV". They are all versions of the SuperSpeed, so I'd add a SuperSpeed to your list as it will be the most affordable of that group of razors....I own most of them and like all of them..That said the Aristocrat is my favorite of the non-adjustable TTO's... The SuperSpeed is nickle plated, while the Aristocrat,Diplomat and Executive are gold plated, the President to my knowledge has a rhodium plated handle and nickel plated head(there is some controversy on this point),but either way it is silver in color...Nickle plating will give you I.M.O. the most "bang" for your buck(least expensive and most durable material)... I.M.O. as they all pretty much shave the same so I'd go with an Aristocrat...As far as replating goes, I'm a Fan, some people aren't, so it's up to you how you feel about it...Yes replating it's very affordable and the razors can be replated in any material(nickle,gold,rhodium,silver) of your choice..Ask around the Den for names of a couple of trusted platers...However, especially as your not a collector(yet) you may want to make absolutely sure you enjoy shaving with a particular razor before you put more money into it by replating. Also note that replating will affect the collector value of a razor for good or bad depending on who you talk to. Don't forget to consider the Gillette adjustables (FatBoy,Slim and Super Adjustable) while your researching....I hope this info was of some help......
Hi! Welcome to the Den. Great advice so far. Hope it helps. Be sure to sign up for the May Newbie Give-Away.
Welcome to the DEN. I don't have any of the razor you've mentioned but I have heard the gold plating wears off much quicker than the nickel plated ones. IMO its all in the way to take care of your razor from the very start. Beginning in 1974 until March of this year I have used the same nickel plated Gillette Slim Adjustable on a daily basis and it has not lost any plating. I only clean my razors with dish detergent, hot water and a very soft bush. NEVER use abrasive cleaners or polishes and your plating should last for decades. As it was previously mentioned, if you are going to only be using one razor then I would suggest get the one you want even if you have to spend a little extra for it. Make sure its plating is very good to start with. Take proper care of it and it will take care of you. Good luck and happy shaving.
The President and Diplomat are Aristocrats with different plating/knurling. The Executive is a gold Fatboy. If you are just looking for a daily shaver, the Aristocrat or Fatboy would be the least expensive route. It depends on if you want adjustable or not. Adjustable brings the Slim and its gold version Aristocrat in to play. It can get confusing with vintage Gillette's. There have been different models named Aristocrat and with some of the models the same razor with a different case had a different name. You won't be able to stop at just one anyway. Welcome to The Den, I'm sure you will enjoy it here.
My vote is for a President. I don't have one yet but would love to shave with one. They are pricey for one in really nice condition. $200 or so dollars. But if you don't get the collector's bug you will save money over the long run on blades. Welcome to TSD.
As an owner of an Executive if I could have only one that would be it. It's adjustable so you'll surely find your number or sequence (some do 3 passes starting more aggressive and dialing down etc). All I can say is mine is from 1958, was well used when I got it as it was loaded w/whiskers and soap scum and I use it daily. I challenge you to find plating loss on this razor...HIGHLY recommend. Good luck, you should be able to find one on ebay for 50 or 60 or check etsy.com as well.
Welcome to TSD! This is a great forum, you will be glad you decided to throw your lot in with us. I use that Rhodium plated razor over there on the left <--. It's my 1959 Gillette Fatboy. Its my birthyear razor. Enjoy the Den!
