View Full Version : Hi fellas....
ia_james
10-21-2009, 12:18 PM
Got into DE shaving in a fit of nostalgia, thinking about my dad and remembered his razor. Bought an Egyptian Lord razor, shaved with it a couple times and loved the results. Well, after the first time, when I cut myself like an angst ridden teenage girl. After that it was good though. Anyway, I've been surfing on Ebay trying to find a razor like Dad's, not having any luck with it. His was a shorthandled Gillette adjustable, black handle. So I stumble across this site in my google searching, see a few guys mention antique shops as a source for razors. Head up to mine, find a Gillette Super Speed (D4, 1958) in great shape, and a gold tone Gillette of some flavor I've seen on here, but can't find now, naturally. Anyway, scored the pair of them for $9.42 after tax.:001_smile Razor porn follows.
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/IA_James/100_6715.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/IA_James/100_6716.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/IA_James/100_6717.jpg
<img src="http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/IA_James/100_6718.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/IA_James/100_6719.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh230/IA_James/100_6720.jpg
Bertilak
10-21-2009, 12:41 PM
Welcome to B&B!
A couple of nice razors there -- two completely different shavers!
The one is an old-style open comb. From 1900-1920. Looks like you got it at a really good price, especially if there are no cracks in the handle. (Look at the barrel ends.)
See http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Gillette%20Rasierer.htm for lots of pictures and dates of Gillette razors.
ia_james
10-21-2009, 12:44 PM
Hairline crack in it. I'm sure it won't affect using it, puts a dent in the value of it, I'm sure. Am I mistaken in remembering reading somewhere that the old style is a butcher in new hands?
Welcome to B&B!
The old type isn't so bad. If you are learning how to shave with a safety razor, I would take the superspeed.
Bertilak
10-21-2009, 12:56 PM
Hairline crack in it. I'm sure it won't affect using it, puts a dent in the value of it, I'm sure. Am I mistaken in remembering reading somewhere that the old style is a butcher in new hands?
Well, they almost all have hairline cracks and that is why the ones without go for much more.
For "new hands" you might want to try that adjustable on a very low setting until things get more familiar to you. I really don't know how the old styles shave as I haven't used one in a very long time. The blade does sit flush with the guard so I think it might actually be fairly easy on you.
EDIT: I see now that the other razor isn't an adjustable, but the Superspeeds are regarded as newbie friendly. :001_smile
ia_james
10-21-2009, 01:08 PM
Thanks for the info Bob! I bought two due to the fact that I travel quite a bit, and wanted one for my road grip. I'm thinking throwing the Lord in my grip, SS for home, and wait to try the Old Style until I've had a few months practice. The Lord actually shaves pretty good for a $10 razor.
Hughies_online
10-21-2009, 01:09 PM
Welcome to B&B!
luvmysuper
10-21-2009, 02:56 PM
That's a great score you got there.
The Superspeed is a delightful shave.
The Old is great, and is very nice to shave with.
Takes a little more concentration than the SS though.
Might not be a bad idea to wait a bit before you break it in, LOL
ia_james
10-21-2009, 03:14 PM
I'm having a hard time not trying out the Old, I have both the razors cleaned and disinfected. Gave the Old the Brasso treatment, she shines like new. Unfortunately, there is a scratch in the finish on the top piece, and both ends of the barrell are cracked. Definitely a shaver, not a display piece. So I won't feel bad about using it. I'll wait to try it out for a while. Any way to estimate how old it is beyond 1903-1921? There are no serial or model numbers anywhere on it. The bottom of the head has the Gillette diamond and arrow mark, and Made in USA. Absolutely no other markings on it.
Bertilak
10-21-2009, 03:28 PM
I'm having a hard time not trying out the Old...
It's not that big a deal -- go ahead and give it a try. Be sure to NOT apply any more pressure against the skin than enough to keep the blade in contact.
Just don't expect the world's best shave the first time. That's where people get into trouble. They feel stubble and think "by God I'll get this if it kills me" then proceed to slice themselves up by jambing the blade into the skin. The shave does NOT get better by simply applying more pressure in some clever way that you haven't discovered yet.
For starters play around with blade angles keeping them shallow, approximately 30 degrees from flat or less.
ia_james
10-21-2009, 03:32 PM
I'm pretty comfortable with the blade angle, I don't appear to have picked up too many bad habits from my cartridge days. I've already learned that 2 passes is generally required for a good shave with a DE. I figured out the no pressure/don't hit the same spot you just shaved pretty quick, the first DE shave looked like I had been hit with birdshot. Been good ever since though.
luvmysuper
10-21-2009, 03:35 PM
I'm having a hard time not trying out the Old, I have both the razors cleaned and disinfected. Gave the Old the Brasso treatment, she shines like new. Unfortunately, there is a scratch in the finish on the top piece, and both ends of the barrell are cracked. Definitely a shaver, not a display piece. So I won't feel bad about using it. I'll wait to try it out for a while. Any way to estimate how old it is beyond 1903-1921? There are no serial or model numbers anywhere on it. The bottom of the head has the Gillette diamond and arrow mark, and Made in USA. Absolutely no other markings on it.
No need to be nervous about using ANY razor. If you want to take it for a spin, go right ahead, just pay a little more attention to what your doing, and remember the head geometry is a bit different from what you've been using, and it may take a little bit to get the angle right for the sweet spot.
It really is a good razor and you'll be happy with the shave I'm sure.
No real way to narrow the gap down by much, I'm afraid.
Bertilak
10-21-2009, 03:38 PM
Any way to estimate how old it is beyond 1903-1921? There are no serial or model numbers anywhere on it. The bottom of the head has the Gillette diamond and arrow mark, and Made in USA. Absolutely no other markings on it.
Looks like a later model, with that ball end.
David R
10-21-2009, 03:52 PM
Wecome to B&B.
profsaffel
10-21-2009, 03:54 PM
Sweet razors. Welcome to B&B!
Spivey
10-21-2009, 04:24 PM
Very nice finds. Welcome and enjoy the shaves!
ia_james
10-21-2009, 04:37 PM
Tried out the Super Speed, after doing "eeny meenie miney mo" between the two. Mrs_IA_James doesn't think I should ever use a cartridge razor again, super smooth. No nicks or hacks. After using the $10 egyptian razor, this was 1000 times smoother. Difference might have also been in the blades, the Lord blade that came with it vs. Wilkinson Sword. I have a hard time believing that drastic a difference though.
mretzloff
10-21-2009, 05:57 PM
Welcome to Badger & Blade. Nice stuff.
brianw
10-21-2009, 06:08 PM
Welcome to B&B and congrats on 2 great finds
Dennard
10-21-2009, 06:30 PM
That's a couple of great razors, for sure. Welcome and Congrats!
DunEdinRanger
10-21-2009, 06:38 PM
Welcome, and nice snag!
Welcome. You have 2 nice razors, there.
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