Goodwill #160

[dmshaver]

I'm doing a bit of a shave-off with my Gillette razors, giving each a couple of weeks of shaving to get to know the razor. So far I've done this with the RFB 2 piece and the RFB 3 piece. Now I've changed to the 1931 Goodwill #160. I've had 5 or 6 shaves with it so far with a Nacet blade. I'm finding the Goodwill #160 to be slightly less smooth than the RFBs. It doesn't seem quite as nimble maneuvering about my face, either. But it is a superb shaving razor. After all, I am comparing it, IMHO, to the best Gillette razor ever for smoothness & efficiency, the RFB. After several shaves with the Goodwill, I tried a lighter handle on it instead of its 25g ball end handle. I used a 20g common bar handle for one shave & found the lighter handle made the razor head heavy & unbalanced which resulted in a less-than-optimal shave.

I like all of the Goodwills (there are different ones!) from the design standpoint. The different baseplates & caps are quite nice & interesting. I'm especially fond of the art deco-style cap that has diamond cut-outs.

If you can acquire a Goodwill #160, I highly recommend it. The Goodwill is smooth & efficient, just not as smooth as the RFB. The efficiency is similar, however. If you think I don't like the Goodwill, you misunderstand. I like this razor a great deal. It is one of the finer shaving razors in my den.

What are your thoughts on the Goodwill #160?

 

[Whiterook]

I like mine.

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I find the Goodwill model numbers rather confusing, but my English Goodwills may just be my favourites of all the razors I have ever tried. In truth I cannot tell the difference between the shave of a Goodwill and that of most New razors, but for me the lowly Goodwill has some intangible extras that make it stand out from the crowd. The history, the design, the way the blade is held, the modest price, the way it makes me feel when I use it - it is truly wonderful. It has been my number one razor for several years now and despite owning rhodium plated aristocrats and other such 'luxury' razors, the humble Goodwill is the razor that I use more than any other.

 

[Hannah's Dad]

Nice thread, David. I cherish my Goodwill #160, and I find it equally smooth as the RFB’s from England, if not less exotic. It’s an amazing piece of shaving lore in that it was given for free with blades. I like its quirkiness - the plate and cap are only in alignment when a blade is installed.

This razor, and a British Flat Bottom Tech which I won in a PIF, are the only two razors allowed in my den alongside the jealous/possessive Titanium Blackbird.

 

[DrStrange]

My three favorite Gillettes in order:

1) 1941 Ranger Tech
2) 1948 style Super Speed
3) Goodwill 160

 

[REV579]

I’m very fond of my 162 and it’s been in the rotation since I found it in 2018. It hard not to love the art deco styling, but the shave is even better than the eye-appeal.

 

[Old School TSD]

I love the Goodwill collection, here's of pic of those in my display...
Likely going to move a couple spares on eventually, if I can bring myself to use these .

 

[REV579]

Here are a few of my Goodwill razors, along with the one that got me started with Goodwill razors and is still a regular contributor. They really do have an interesting history. And, if you look at my signature, you'll see that i have long been an endorser of the setup.

 

[dmshaver]

Thanks, gents, for the comments and especially the lovely photos. The Goodwill is gorgeous, isn't it?

I rode the cap (shallow angle) with this shave & was rewarded with a superb shave! The Goodwill #160 is different from the RFB in that I had a smoother shave riding the cap on the Goodwill. With my RFBs, a steep angle gave me the better shave.