Thread: Thinking of adding a DE to the rotation.

I use my Merkur hd when am running low on time. Like others said it's a nice addition to the rotation. I read an article that said to soak a DE in peroxide for 8 hours to help break up some of the junk on them then a toothbrush. I did that with an old no namer DE I got from my uncle and it seemed to work a little. It still needs some more cleaning so I'm sure there are more effeicient methods. Just a thought. Bladewise I've had the best luck with Feathers.

That looks like an old Gillette Super Speed, yes?

I ran into a situation where I couldn't shave last night and didn't have time to use my straight this morning. Grabbed the ole Fat Boy off the medicine cabinet shelf, showered, used some Shave Secret shave oil and got myself a DFS in just a few minutes.

I used some borax and some SS cleaner in hot water. Soaked the razors until the water cooled, then I used a toothbrush and cleaned mine up. I'm pretty particular (read anal) so I used a toothpick in the crevices the toothbrush couldn't reach. It shined up really good though!

P.S. I used a Wilkinson Sword blade this morning, fresh from the wrapper.

Using a DE is is almost as odd as using a straight, lol. Good pointers above.

Only thing i can add, there is nothing right or wrong, just whatever you enjoy. Anymore, I can use the straight as quick as the DE. With time, you'll likely find the same. Speed not being a consideration, many find pleassie in mixing it up.

Even at that, I do grab the shavette or DE if I have finished shaving, cleaned up all the gear, and see a straggler on the back of my neck or somewhere.

I have no clue what it is. It says gillette on the bottom of the head but I couldn't find any numbers. I worked on it with scrubbing bubbles and a scouring pad. It's still got some grime but nothing compared to what it had just a little in the grooves and a couple little spots in the head. I'll post more pictures when it's actualy finished. I threw a wilkinson sword blade in it and it shave like a dream. This will defiantly be my new in a hurry shaver.

I just picked up a Gillette DE three piece for $4.00 this past Friday and left my phone number with the antique dealer because she said she had a adjustable Gillette somewhere at home. Ordered some blades and expect them to be in soon........I got the Personna blades. My straight shaving is still a bit slow too.

Jim

Originally Posted by dirtychrome

Anymore, I can use the straight as quick as the DE. With time, you'll likely find the same.

When I was first looking into straight shaving I came across a video on YouTube of a guy going through lather and two-pass shave in just under four minutes. I can only assume he did beard prep before hand, but there were no nicks, no cuts, and it looked like a pretty good shave. Probably not a date-night shave, but a good work-day shave. I take about five times that long.

Originally Posted by Devilpup

I have no clue what it is. It says gillette on the bottom of the head but I couldn't find any numbers....I threw a wilkinson sword blade in it and it shave like a dream. This will defiantly be my new in a hurry shaver.

I picked up a few different DE and SE razors at local antique shops and that sent me researching them to see what exactly they were, how to clean them up, and how best to use them. I'm pretty sure that you got a Gillette Super Speed, and there's no Letter Number code on the bottom of the head b/c the Super Speed razors pre-date coding. If I remember right they were introduced in the 40's (late?) and number codes started being used in the late 50's (58?). Badger and Blade has a whole chart (somewhat confusing) of Gillette safety razor production.

Edit: Here's a link to the page I mentioned. http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...ng_Information
According to this you've got yourself a Flare Tip Super Speed, which were produced from 54-66.
See here: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...ip_Super_Speed
You should find a letter/number date code as you clean yours up.
The one in this pic: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...ge:B3_SS_2.jpg
Has a code of B3 (B is far left just below the "R" in "REG US", 3 is opposite the B)

Originally Posted by HLS

I just picked up a Gillette DE three piece for $4.00 this past Friday and left my phone number with the antique dealer because she said she had a adjustable Gillette somewhere at home. Ordered some blades and expect them to be in soon........I got the Personna blades. My straight shaving is still a bit slow too.

Jim

Good on ya Jim. As noted above, I've seen guys shave with a straight with lightening speed...but I'd look like the guy in your sig line if I tried that! It takes me about 20min to lather and shave...and that's my fastest. When I first started it took me about 45min.

If you don't want to wait on shipping, you could pick up some of the Wilk Swords at the local Walmart and be on your way!