Thread: 1951 Gilette Super Speed

First off, those are really great razors and if you think that feel is close to a straight, then you need to find an old Gem or other Single edge razor. Personally I think they are great shaves too.

I see plating loss on the bar guard and what you are seeing is brass not rust. If you sanded it out, then you have less plating than before. The nickel plating is very thin and cannot take much abrasion. You can have it re-plated or you can just find a new one. At least around here they show up quote often at antique stores.

Buy a pack of feather blades and try them out. They are my favorite.

Will N.

Yup, looks like plating loss from banging against something. Be careful with polishes most of the ones we regularly use for Straights are too abrasive for Gillette’s as they are plated assembled and nickel plating is thin.

I have had good luck with Flitz and a soft tooth brush, go over the whole razor then wipe and polish with a blue paper towel. Buff to a high gloss with a microfiber, they can be washed.

The micro fiber will leave a bright shine and the brass will show less. They can be plated rather inexpensively, but nice examples are around for about what you paid or less. Yes they can be shavers. With a blade in the razor check the blade gap, with a feeler gage, from one edge to the other and from one side to the other, to make sure the fall did not knock it out of alignment.

There are a lot of posts and videos on the web, on correcting alignment, just go slow the brass is soft.

As said try other vintage 3 piece razors for very nice shaving, Vintage 3 piece razors are still inexpensive and can be bought for under ten buck in antique stores and on EBay, but are becoming all the rage with new guys.

Also try different blades, assortment packs are inexpensive, but if you are a straight user you will probably end up with the Feathers.

I recently went to a meet where there must have been a couple hundred new DE wet shavers.

That is wild. That must have been a huge meet up.

The alignment is awesome on it. Perfect. No problems there. I was concerned that the stuff showing underneath meant the death of my razor but if it doesn't I'm just going to keep that area dried well and use the thing until it falls apart. I really like the way it shaves. All I've tried blade wise is WS and Lord which I have been favouring lately.

I was more worried about it structurally. If it's nothing to worry about I'm not going to bother with it.

I've got a Gillette Oldtype that only has plating I the creases of the handle. Still works great. You found a good user grade razor. If you ever want it prettied up there are a slew of restration/replating services out there.

They made millions of them. If you keep your eyes peeled on the bay you can probably find one that is in perfect shape. This one from circa 1947or 1948 .........

OK thanks Jimmy and the rest of you guys for all the help

Yea, if the gaps are good it will last another couple lifetimes or more.

Last weekend at an Antique Flea Market I saw a mint, gold plated Aristocrat Super Speed in the case with instructions, $250.

By the way the gold plate is lacquered, so don’t polish them with abrasive metal polishes.

I picked up this one.

Wow what a looker Euclid!

Originally Posted by Euclid440

I picked up this one.

FatBoy! Going for some $$ on the Bay recently! Awesome shave from the Gillette adjustables. I don't have a FatBoy but I have a Slim adjustable which is always nearby for any touch ups that might be needed!
That one is awesome, case, blades and all! Nice find Euclid440! Enjoy!