What did I get?

[nathanb]

I picked up some safety razors at an antique store recently. However, I am not really sure what they are. So, maybe you guys could help me out. The only safety razors I have ever used are a Tech, a Muhle R41, and a Bostonian open comb.

I have been using straight razors mostly now but saw these and thought I would pick them up.

Thanks for any help.

[Monkeydad]

Second one is a 1960s SuperSpeed.
Third one is an early 1970s SuperSpeed.
Last one is an early 1970s Super Adjustable - long handle.

Someone else can probably help identify the first one, I think it's a Slim Adjustable but I don't have one of that model to be accurate.



Do you know about the date codes under the head? One letter and one number that can help you identify the year and quarter of production.



ALL are great razors.

[insomniac]

The first one is a "Slim" adjustable.

The second is also called the "Flare Tip."

Nice score.

[nathanb]

Thanks for the quick response and the information. The date codes are:

#1: G3 (maybe C3 but difficult to tell)
#2: J3
#3: S2
#4: O4

Where would I find out what the date codes mean? Is there a database of some sort?

Thanks,

[mdevine]

The first one is a Slim Adjustable. I can't tell if it is gold plated in the picture. If so, that would make it an Executive, I believe.

[Sledgehammer39]

Those are really nice scores.:thumbup1:

[maxman]

Nice score. I think the lighting is making the Slim look like an Aristocrat.
Those are good razors.
Enjoy them.

[insomniac]

Thanks for the quick response and the information. The date codes are:

#1: G3 (maybe C3 but difficult to tell) It's G3, 1961
#2: J3 1964
#3: S2 1972
#4: O4 1969

Where would I find out what the date codes mean? Is there a database of some sort?

Thanks,

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

[drews50]

Thanks for the quick response and the information. The date codes are:

#1: G3 (maybe C3 but difficult to tell)
#2: J3
#3: S2
#4: O4
Where would I find out what the date codes mean? Is there a database of some sort?
Thanks,

I like this site

http://www.safetyrazors.net/gil_ser2.htm

And

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Safety_Razor_Database#Gillette_-_US_Gillette_Dating_Information

[Monkeydad]

Thanks for the quick response and the information. The date codes are:

#1: G3 (maybe C3 but difficult to tell)
#2: J3
#3: S2
#4: O4

Where would I find out what the date codes mean? Is there a database of some sort?

Thanks,

I like Drew's site too. Also, dating codes are on here: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

1.) 1961, 3rd Qtr (1957 if C3)
2.) 1964, 3rd Qtr
3.) 1972, 2nd Qtr
4.) 1969, 4th Qtr

[nathanb]

Thanks everyone! :thumbup1:

I will have to try them out over the next couple of weeks. I have never tried an adjustable so that should be interesting. The store also had a GEM G-Bar SE and a GEM 1912 SE. I have never tried a SE so that should be fun also.

[Monkeydad]

What I did with my adjustable...start out on a low setting, then every couple of days or even every new blade, crank it up '1' more setting until you find the one that works best for your face, meaning smooth shave without nicks or cuts. I settled on '5' for most blades, '4' on sharper blades as my comfort level.

My 1970 adjustable was my FIRST DE razor, so as a true newbie, I started out on '1'. :laugh:

If you're new to DE, you may want to try that.

[IronHammer]

[QUOTE=Monkeydad;2917099]I like Drew's site too. Also, dating codes are on here: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/US_Gillette_Dating_Information

1.) 1961, 3rd Qtr (1957 if C3)

Slim Adjustable weren't made in 1957 so it has to be a G (1961). If it's gold it would be the Aristocrat, the last one made by Gillette. If it's silver colored then it's a regular Slim Adjustable.

[mattface]

What I did with my adjustable...start out on a low setting, then every couple of days or even every new blade, crank it up '1' more setting until you find the one that works best for your face, meaning smooth shave without nicks or cuts. I settled on '5' for most blades, '4' on sharper blades as my comfort level.

My 1970 adjustable was my FIRST DE razor, so as a true newbie, I started out on '1'. :laugh:

If you're new to DE, you may want to try that.

See what I did was start on 5, then mid-shave I cranked it up to 6. Seemed pretty good right in that range, though I've tried swipes as low as one, and as high as 9. Seemed to me like I could tell right away where my sweet spot was on the adjustable, but then that begged the question of why use an adjustable rather than another razor which is already in my sweet spot.

[4hits]

Thanks everyone! :thumbup1:

I will have to try them out over the next couple of weeks. I have never tried an adjustable so that should be interesting. The store also had a GEM G-Bar SE and a GEM 1912 SE. I have never tried a SE so that should be fun also.

I predict the SE will be fun, especially the 1912. Check out Mr. Guy's videos on using SE's; it really helped me achieve fun. :thumbup:

[kingfisher]

....but then that begged the question of why use an adjustable rather than another razor which is already in my sweet spot.

Um....because with another razor that doesn't adjust, you wouldn't really KNOW whether it was in your sweetspot or not. The adjustables are great. Even if you ultimately settled on a fixed razor, the adjustable would allow you to experience a RANGE of levels of aggressiveness, so you can settle on the razor that works best for you.

[GreekGuy]

Um....because with another razor that doesn't adjust, you wouldn't really KNOW whether it was in your sweetspot or not. The adjustables are great. Even if you ultimately settled on a fixed razor, the adjustable would allow you to experience a RANGE of levels of aggressiveness, so you can settle on the razor that works best for you.

+1

Also, the adjustable lets me to change the exposure for different passes and how the blade feels throughout the shave. 7 for WTG, 9 for ATG

[mattface]

Um....because with another razor that doesn't adjust, you wouldn't really KNOW whether it was in your sweetspot or not. The adjustables are great. Even if you ultimately settled on a fixed razor, the adjustable would allow you to experience a RANGE of levels of aggressiveness, so you can settle on the razor that works best for you.

My question was not why someone else might want an adjustable, but why I would. Since I tried a dozen fixed blade razors before I tried my first adjustable I already knew where my sweet spot was. The Fatboy gave a fine shave, but not better than some of my favorite razors.


Also, the adjustable lets me to change the exposure for different passes and how the blade feels throughout the shave. 7 for WTG, 9 for ATG

With 4 razors in the regular rotation, if I wanted to switch out mid shave for a milder or more aggressive razor I could do it with ease, but I don't find myself wanting to.