What are your 5 vintage razors that are cheap and everyone should try?

**pablo_h** · 06-10-2009, 05:55 AM

What are yours?
For me, gillette slim adjustable, late 1940s superspeed, british tech, british NEW (better plating, better handles), GEM pat 1912

Everyone should try these, though it doesn't hurt to try and own a HD rocket or own an aristocrat, fatboy, OLD, micromatic, featherweight, older GEM/Star etc, it's harder to get them in good condition at a cheap price these days.

I think if you have tried all of them in my first list for the low costs that those models go for, you've got your moneys worth.
If someone told me when I was first starting just to buy them as daily shavers, I would have saved a lot of money as they are cheap and some of the best.

What five cheap vintage razors would you recommend to someone starting out and why?

edit: stipulated 'vintage' razors.

**MrGuy** · 06-10-2009, 06:29 AM

That's a great list! If I had to choose 5, I'd say a Micromatc (did you expect anything else?

) 1912 model GEM/ER (to compare) long black handle Super Adjustable (you get the benefits of trying an adjustable and a long handle razor) Gillette Tech (ball end or fat handle, so you can have a good baseline aggression level to compare other DE razors to) and a NEW of any variety (to have an open comb)
Nice idea, pablo

I'm interested to see what the others pick as a top 5.
BTW, it's been a while since I've priced razors on E-Bay or the B/S/T. My definition of "cheap" came from price paid balanced with experience gained with a certain razor. Some other razors are still cheap, but I didn't think they would add a whole lot of experience other than the chance to use a different razor.

**mdunn** · 06-10-2009, 06:41 AM

i dno about 5, but everyone should try a tech at least once. theyre awesome!

**AsylumGuido** · 06-10-2009, 07:42 AM

Gillette Old Type Standard (single ring), Gillette New Improved, Gillette NEW DeLuxe (standard or Norfolk), Gillette Aristocrat (40's-50's) and GEM/Junior/Ever-Ready model 1912. The NEW DeLuxe is the only one that may run a bit more, but all can be had for much less than a new Merkur or other contemporary razor. These are, in fact, the five razors in my more or less regular rotation, but the NEW DeLuxe gets used 75% of the time while the others fill out the remaining 25%.

Actually, one other razor is in the rotation but I am not including it as it can run quite a bit more than the others. My Silver Plated 1920 Bulldog.

**mk-ultra** · 06-10-2009, 08:23 AM

Only 5, huh?

HD Rocket
1941 Ranger Tech
1940s Aristocrat
British Aristocrat Jr.
British Aluminum Handle Tech (with flat plate)

Just my opinion.

Of course, if I had AsylumGuido's collection, my answer may be different.

**pablo_h** · 06-10-2009, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by mk-ultra

Of course, if I had AsylumGuido's collection, my answer may be different.

Who's wouldn't? I'd love to get a cheap new deluxe in that condition, or single ring without bent teeth or damaged head plate cheap.

My list was based on getting a razor cheap commercially, ie not a razor that collectors were after which is why I didn't even mention the red tip as that's a recent cult razor.
YMMV with what you can get at boot/garage sales, there heaps of bargains to be found, from double rings to aristocrats for less than $2 if you're lucky, but it's slim pickings for a lot of people so my list was based on what a B&Ber would sell you for under $20.
I favoured british early razors for 3 peice as they were nickle and slightly more aggressive, while a lot of USA razors were gold plated and most are very worn by now or have cracked handles when we were are about cheap cheap.

**AsylumGuido** · 06-10-2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by pablo_h

Who's wouldn't? I'd love to get a cheap new deluxe in that condition, or single ring without bent teeth or damaged head plate cheap.

My list was based on getting a razor cheap commercially, ie not a razor that collectors were after which is why I didn't even mention the red tip as that's a recent cult razor.
YMMV with what you can get at boot/garage sales, there heaps of bargains to be found, from double rings to aristocrats for less than $2 if you're lucky, but it's slim pickings for a lot of people so my list was based on what a B&Ber would sell you for under $20.
I favoured british early razors for 3 peice as they were nickle and slightly more aggressive, while a lot of USA razors were gold plated and most are very worn by now or have cracked handles when we were are about cheap cheap.

To be honest, none of the razors on my list cost me $20. Most can be found in user grade condition for the $20 range or less, as well. I have rescued a lot of razors in the past and have sold the one that cost me the most. I tend to keep the ones that cost me the least, even if they are of slightly lessor quality. My "collection" is not very extensive. I usually only want to try out different razors, takes some pictures for reference and pass them on to people looking for them.

**thirdeye** · 06-10-2009, 09:16 AM

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

**MrGuy** · 06-10-2009, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by thirdeye

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

If it says Gillette, it's vintage and cheap....Try it!

Heck of a list!

**Lavaine** · 06-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Hmmm, I'm still new and trying different razors, but...

Gillette New
Superspeed (any, but I like my 40's vintage a little better than my 70's.)
Red Tip (my shave condition razor cost me $7)
Any SE razor (haven't tried one yet)

Not sure about the fifth one, but I know I'd like to try a slant.

**bro-ham** · 06-10-2009, 02:55 PM

What about a Schick injector? I have enjoyed trying one I received last week.

**1OldGI** · 06-10-2009, 03:03 PM

Gem Jr. 1912 with 5 different handles

**blantyre** · 06-10-2009, 04:40 PM

Cheap is a relative term, but I'll take a shot anyway:

Schick Krona
Fatboy
late 1940's Aristocrat
Early open combs
Tech.

Excellent Kronas go for <20, the others in perfectly usable condition <30 if you're willing ot wait a bit.

**norman931** · 06-10-2009, 05:11 PM

Gillette Tech, Super Speed, and NEW.

**xbostonirishx** · 06-10-2009, 05:23 PM

Right now my the top three razors that get the most use out of me are, my gillette SS, my gillette Silver fat handled Tech, and my Gillette aristocrat. I'd say my fifth would be my Fat Boy.

**JimBow** · 06-10-2009, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Gem Jr. 1912 with 5 different handles

A bit biased, are we?

**JimBow** · 06-10-2009, 05:30 PM

Top 5 cheap vintage razors:

Tech of any sort, but a ball-ended would be preferable
Old Type
New (British version)
New Improved (standard)
40's Super Speed

You can find any of these with almost no effort. You could even get all 5 for $20 or less, if you have any luck at all.

**Pete's Kid** · 06-10-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by mdunn

i dno about 5, but everyone should try a tech at least once. theyre awesome!

+1

**AsylumGuido** · 06-10-2009, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by JimBow

Top 5 cheap vintage razors:

Tech of any sort, but a ball-ended would be preferable
Old Type
New (British version)
New Improved (standard)
40's Super Speed

You can find any of these with almost no effort. You could even get all 5 for $20 or less, if you have any luck at all.

British NEW's take a little more than luck to find.