Super Speed Flare Tip Heirloom for my first DE - a few questions

[Lockedin]

I just got my first heirloom razor Monday, also an A1 Flare Tip. Mom and my aunt know it was my grandmother's, and believe it was given to her by my grandfather when he got a new razor. It's a really great razor.

Way Cool! There is a great vibe in using something that a loved one used so often. The Flare Tips are great razors - hope you're enjoying yours as much as I enjoy mine!

 

[mce00771]

The current razor I am using is a '54 Flair Tip Super Speed. It was a PIF from martym. It is fantastic. I am 7 shaves in and already having great shaves. I think that it is a very user friendly razor and it works great. They certainly new how to manufacture things well back then. Congratulations on getting your grandfather's razor as well. I imagine that it is awesome shaving with something that has so much family history.

 

[Kilroy6644]

Way Cool! There is a great vibe in using something that a loved one used so often. The Flare Tips are great razors - hope you're enjoying yours as much as I enjoy mine!

Oh, yes. I'm very familiar with the Flare Tip's charms; one of the first razors I bought myself was an A4 Flare Tip. Easily one of my favorites. Not only are they great razors, but apparently '55 was a great year. Now that I have the heirloom, I've sent the A4 down to the minors (my 8-year-old nephew's shaving kit). Now it's an heirloom too.

 

[SteveWY]

Man I love these threads! I love hearing anything about heirloom finds and especially father and grandfather finds! Oh how I wish I had razors from mine. I am a big Gillette fan. I currently have a '54 40's-style, two '57 Flare Tips (my birth year), a '56 Red Tip, a couple Techs, a couple travel Techs, a Fat Boy and a Slim. I have to tell you that 40's style and the Red Tip are about my favs! I would give them all up to have whatever open comb my grandfather had or one of my Dad's original razors.

Congrats on your grandfather find! Enjoy using it with fond memories!

 

[Lockedin]

Had spectacular, BBS shave this morning so I thought I'd log it in!

A1 Flare Tip Super Speed
Gillette 7 O' Clock yellow - 4th shave
Red B&B Essential Boar Brush (because everybody knows red brushes are faster!)
The Handle Bar / QCS Avocado cream
The Captain's Choice Cat O' Nine Tails
Mama Bears Vanilla Sandalwood Cologne


This razor is hands down the most comfortable shaver I've ever had, and this morning it felt like an extension of my hand! My lather was thick and luxurious, just enough cushion and glide while allowing for an exceptionally close shave. No nicks weepers or irritation on face or scalp. The Cat O' 9 tingled a bit as it closed my pores and warmed nicely for a few minutes and layered nicely with Mama Bear's Vanilla Sandalwood cologne.
My only disappointment happened when I realized that my shave was over and it was almost time to leave.

 

[Lockedin]

New Ebay score - I received my J1 Slim in the mail today in really nice condition.

Old 3/4" Tape Deck not included!
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Coming soon: A comparison of a the Flare Tip, Super Adjustable, and the Slim. I'm planning to shave with each using similar set ups for the life of one blade (similar to bmilcs post on the Headshaver's Check-in). I'm not looking so much for "a winner", as much as I'll be looking for winning pairings for each razor.

 

[Lockedin]

I'm a total noob to DE shaving - fact is, I just ordered my first - Merkur 1904 41c (the OC version).

While I'm waiting, I visit my Mom & Dad (good son that I am!) and Mom discovers that I'm looking into DE shaving and says "Just a minute" and comes back with - my Grandfather's Gillette Super Speed!

After reading the reviews on both razors, I'm figuring on learning with the SS after I finish cleaning it with warm soapy water & scrubbing bubbles; it has the remnants of my Grandfather's last few shaves that need to be removed after about 20 years of resting.

Being an heirloom, it came without a box - is there a way to tell what the date of manufacture is? The code A1 is on the head - makes it an early 1955?

It's not a huge deal - I am excited to actually use this tool which served my Grandfather so well for so long, not to mention learning DE razor skills, reducing cost, and hopefully enjoying what is currently a chore to be endured.

Also - any blade recommendations?
View attachment 288721View attachment 288722

That was a year ago today!

Little did I know that shaving was about to go from hated chore to sought after treat!

My Grandfather's Flare Tip is still my main razor - it's really tough to argue with the comfort and consistency of this razor, though I do enjoy a Slim & a Black Beauty 109 - my Wife won't relinquish the 1904....

SOTD 2013-11-26

Flare Tip (A1)
Voskhod (Shave 1)
B&B Essential Boar
TOBS St James
Speick AS
Pandora - Ray Lamontagne

Easy, irritation free DFS+ results - and I still get wonderful memories of my Grandfather every time I pick up this razor.