Thread: First DE Shave

Just had my first shave with my pop's old DE, a Gillette Supper Speed w/ Flare Tip (1954-1968 according to the wiki over at Badger&Blade). Overall, I'm really pleased, my cheeks and jawline are very smooth. I don't know if this helped or not, but before I lathered up I took the razor all over my face without a blade in it to map out how I was going to go at it and get a feel for the weight and pressure.

I had one nic on the adams apple. Also, several blood spots over the jugular area on both sides, which don't appear as nic's but more shaving the tops of of small razor bumps or acnee. Is this a normal beginners thing that will clear up as my skin and technique improve? But even with the blood spots, my neck doesn't feel as raw as it usually dose with a multi-blade.

When I piked the thing up at the folks they were telling my that you can turn the bottom a little to move the edge, Can anyone explain to me how that works and what the advantage is? It seams that the more you open the "cargo bay doors" on top, the looser and harder to control the edge will be.

The whole time I can hear Obi Wan Kenobi saying, "You've just taken your first step into a larger world" in my head.

Unless it's an adjustable razor...ie. fatboy or slim, you can not make adjustments to the razor as you suggested. In fact, making those kinds of adjustments are a good way to get yourself hurt if the blade gets loose and wobbles into your cheek. Lock that blade in nice and tight and leave it alone...if you find that the shave isn't aggressive enough for you, you might consider either a vintage adjustable Gillette or a new Merkur Progress.

Congrats on the first DE shave..
Thise old vintage super speeds are great. I own several of them, but my favorite is the 40's super speed. You may want to pick up a sample pack of blades and find Which blades work best for you.

Keep it up you will get better with that DE. Took me some e time to master it , but I did and I now get fantastic shaves with it.

Richard