Help me figure out what vintage to get

[tinashubby]

Having trouble identifying and figuring out what is or isn't desirable in a vintage razor. I looked in the wiki, but had a little trouble finding much info.
I see razors available, but don't want to buy the wrong thing-red tip, blue tip, slim, fatboy, flaretip, etc. Arghhh, makes my head hurt!

[John_Roger]

Start with a slim adjustable.

[gus1942]

Start with a slim adjustable.

I have suggested to newbies and inexperienced DE shavers to consider a slant or open comb. The Merkur 37c or 39c slants are really easy to use for a comfortable, smooth, and close shave. As for an open comb, I wish I had used them earlier in my shaving career. As for vintage Gillettes, my LC Gillette New gives me the best shave of all my razors over the past 50 years.

Gus/BOTOC

[tinashubby]

I've been using a DE87 for about a month. I've got some tough area's to get smooth on my neck, without creating irritation, but I don't think I have a really heavy or tough beard. I'm thinking perhaps something more aggressive will get the job done with less irritation in the end? So naturally I'd think adjustable would be good, but I'm not sure it actually opens more than what I have. I've also read that red tips are aggressive.

[HoosierTrooper]

Gem 1912. Easy to find, simple to operate and they work well for almost everyone that's tried one.

[dcobranchi]

[top]Help me figure out what vintage to get

Why not just save yourself some time and buy them all?

Seriously, for a relative n00b, a Flare Tip Superspeed is, I think, a great choice. They're dirt cheap and user friendly. The adjustables (Slim and Fatboy) just add another variable that is probably best avoided for a while.

[CGW409]

Can't go wrong with either Fat Boy or Slim.
The flair tip,Red Tip and Blue Tip are all Super Speeds just an attempt at making razors fit the face,Blue Tips are mild,flair tip are just regular SS and Red Tips are a more aggressive razor.

[AjaxLepinski]

For me, buying a vintage razor is always a gamble because, you never know if you're going to like it until you try it... what is desirable for you may not be desirable for someone else.
I like my Gillette '56 Blue Tip and '73 Tech for easy, forgiving shaves. I also get a nice easy shave with my '30 Gillette New Open Comb. I like my Super Adjustable, Slim and Fat Boy.

Slant razors looked scary until I used my brand new, Merkur 37C yesterday, for the first time. I have to agree with gus1942... the 37c gave me a very smooth, nick free shave and I was surprised at how easy and forgiving it is to use. So I'll have to second Gus's motion. Although you can buy a 37C new, I heard that the vintage Hoffritz slants shave just like a new 37C.

If you are trying to narrow your decision down to one vintage DE -and- you want a nice, easy shave, I cast my vote for an old Hoffritz, Cole or Merkur slant.
I also find that Astra SP blades work best in all my DEs, but that's another ball of wax!!! Have fun!!!

[Arcadies]

I'd go with a 40's style super speed or a flare-tip. Both are fairly easy to acquire for a reasonable price and both give smooth/mild shaves and are great for beginners. Don't pay more than $10 for a user grade or $15-20 for one in excellent shape. Stay away from adjustable razors for a while if you're new, no matter how strong your resolve is you will play with the settings and until you get your technique down it's best to stick with 1 configuration and no changing variables.

[Chester]

I'll go along with the suggestion for a flare-tip superspeed. It was the razor I learned on, it had the flatter head that's easier to move about the nose, and they are widely available and cheap.
-- Chet

[Copierguy]

I've been using a DE87 for about a month. I've got some tough area's to get smooth on my neck, without creating irritation, but I don't think I have a really heavy or tough beard. I'm thinking perhaps something more aggressive will get the job done with less irritation in the end? So naturally I'd think adjustable would be good, but I'm not sure it actually opens more than what I have. I've also read that red tips are aggressive.

Let's look at this from a different angle. If you are just trying to overcome a couple problem areas while getting good results elsewhere on you face, then maybe technique may be the only change you need. Don't get me wrong, a fellow can not have too many razors, well unless it is a long swim to shore that. Like many guys, above the jaw has never been an issue but the neck usually was. What has worked for me is a modified stretching technique. What I do is take my off duty hand and drag a finger tip or two just ahead of the razor while going ATG. With the razor use the lightest pressure you can manage, use a slow motion buffing action. You can feel the stubble melt away with your dragging finger(s).

Oh and if you want other razors for variety, can't go wrong with the 40s Super Speed, or a Slim or FatBoy.....they are all great.

[AjaxLepinski]

Missed your second post about your neck trouble. I've been messing around with short J-Strokes, short diagonal pulls and coming at my troublesome neck areas from every angle in the compass. Gotta go with Copierguy on this one... the modified stretch is working for me. However, my skills are not yet good enough for ATG. I'm stretching just ahead of the razor as he suggests, but I'm hitting the stubble on a diagonal which give me less blade chatter and skipping. Some day soon I shall master the ATG!!!

[Dave Deluxe]

Skip the adjustable razors, they are mainly a marketing gimmick. If you want a double edge razor go for a vintage Gillette open comb like an "Old Type", or "NEW". If you are the more adventurous type go for a "single edge" GEM/EverReady 1912, or a Micromatic "bullet" tip.

DD

[John_Roger]

Skip the adjustable razors, they are mainly a marketing gimmick. If you want a double edge razor go for a vintage Gillette open comb like an "Old Type", or "NEW". If you are the more adventurous type go for a "single edge" GEM/EverReady 1912, or a Micromatic "bullet" tip.

DD

I get a much better shave from a slim or fat boy turned up to 9, as opposed to a 1.... I guess my skin is gullible to gimmicks.

[drm20]

If you want something that feels solid, go for the red tip ss or fatboy (not to say that the others aren't solid, but these seem quite hefty)...if you are looking for an open comb, the new is really good and you can get them quite reasonably. Good luck!

[retturn2blades]

Only issue with buying adjustables is they sometimes are broken or super cruded...requiring hard cleaning and/or repairs. So I'd affirm Tom's recommendation to get one of the 1912s.

[PFP_Dad]

I don't think it gets much easier than a flare tip superspeed or a fat handled tech, great place to start and if you check a few antique stores you should easily be able to find one for $5-10.

[kingfisher]

Gem 1912. Easy to find, simple to operate and they work well for almost everyone that's tried one.

Except for me (and there have got to be others). HATED this razor. And I don't like SEs at all.

[Sled Dog]

Except for me (and there have got to be others). HATED this razor. And I don't like SEs at all.

Just curious....how many different types of blades did you try in your SE's? They are a different breed.

[Sledgehammer39]

My vote goes to the Super Speed and Tech!