Gillette Super Speed: What year did Gillette start using plastic?

Hello,

I'm interested in purchasing a Gillette Super Speed from eBay. I would like to ensure I bid on one that does not contain plastic. What is the first year that Gillette started using plastic?

Also, I know that the red tip are for tougher beards and blue tip models are fairly gentle. How aggressive are the flare tips that are silver (no color)?

George

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/US_Gillette_Dating_Information says 1977, when the black-handle adjustable got a plastic bottom plate. Or you might count any black-handle as "plastic" if you don't like the handle.

mblakele said:

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/US_Gillette_Dating_Information says 1977, when the black-handle adjustable got a plastic bottom plate. Or you might count any black-handle as "plastic" if you don't like the handle.

Click to expand...

The Black Handled Superspeed has a metal handle that is coated with a resin. I wouldn't technically call it plastic.

Later Super Adjustable razors have plastic adjustment plates, but the area that actually holds the blade remained all metal.

There is a variation on the 40's style Superspeed that has a black plastic tto knob.

The 1980's saw some Gillette razors that were not called Superspeeds that featured a metal head (with TTO doors), on a plastic handle.

Basically if the razor you are buying is pre 1980, you can be assured it doesn't contain any plastic.

Here is a photo gallery of all of the Gillette TTO razors for comparison purposes:

http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece%20solid%20guard%20bar/solid%20guard%20bar.htm

The tto knobs on the 1951 and 1952 black tips are plastic.

The last US razor in the "Super Speed" family was the Knack, which had a long plastic handle. The only other SS using any plastic parts was the black-tip model circa 1952.

The plastic used on the black-tip, as well as the Knack's handle, was not cheap, light-weight, or brittle. They were quality razors, and have stood up well, even today, to the "test of time."

Don't be afraid of either a Knack or a black-tip . . . even with the plastic components, neither is a "cheap" tool. Damn fine shavers . . . any day of the week!!