1951 Gilette Super Speed

Picked one of these up not knowing what is was. I just liked the black tip and steel handle. I've been trying it out on and off for the past 2 weeks. Tonight I nailed a 3 pass bbs. No irritation and far less time than with a straight. Still it doesn't carry the same awesome feeling as a straight but pretty damn close and the results are on par. I'm not a de guy and never was before but for $20 and an hour of cleaning it up I'm far beyond happy with it.

A small amount of the plating is coming off and looks rusted in 2 tiny spots on the comb I think it's called. I sanded them. Anything I should do now to protect them? Clear nail polish?

The early Super Speeds (late 40's, early 50's) having a following - it's the DE I have on the stand for occasional use.

Hopefully the DE experts will chime in on the care issues.

If I'm not mistaken, you can have them re-plated, if you want to...

The rust would be from someone leaving a blade in it and the rust on the blade staining the DE. The super speeds are plated brass. Maybe a bit of semichrome, flitz or mass. Gold plated ones Windex or the plate will be rubbed off with stronger stuff. Plate lose, A.K.A. brassing is something that you get on old ones that have see a fair amount of use.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

The rust would be from someone leaving a blade in it and the rust on the blade staining the DE. The super speeds are plated brass. Maybe a bit of semichrome, flitz or mass. Gold plated ones Windex or the plate will be rubbed off with stronger stuff. Plate lose, A.K.A. brassing is something that you get on old ones that have see a fair amount of use.

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No it wasn't on the inside of the de. It is on the part against the face. Looking at a shaving side with a blade in and the doors closed. You've got the doors, under that the blade and under that the ..? It's on whatever that part is..

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Originally Posted by S0LITARYS0LDIER

It is on the part against the face. L

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Sounds to me like you're talking about the bar guard ? The part that would be just under the blade edge running along your face ? Some call it a 'closed comb'. It is plated brass so AFAIK there is nothing to rust

I just took a strong magnet and ran it all over a couple of old super speeds (40s-50s) and there ain't no steel there. It could have been laying in a metal cabinet that transferred the rust to stain the plating though ..... I guess ..... :thinking:

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Those 2 spots there??

If your around a Sally's beauty store or any beauty salon supply store; then get yourself one of these. I can't praise it enough for slight rust removal in small areas,,, rounding & smoothing brass or silver nickel pins,,, removing small scratches in scales,,, less than $3.00,,, ASP Miracle Buff & Shine Block

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I've a couple Black Tips, one in Aluminum, one's steel handled .. Korean war stuff I think, here's one of my birth razors ..

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I've got a '53 that is great. I think that is less rust and more plate loss and tarnished brass. Mine is pretty nasty looking too. The TTO doors are on top and the safety bar is the part you pictured. There are replate services but I just keep mine off metal, dry, and I make sure I don't leave a wet blade in it. My razors all live in a plastic file crate from WalMart on a bookshelf I my bedroom.
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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 .........

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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.

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Wow what a looker Euclid!

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

I picked up this one.

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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!

[QUOTE=Euclid440;1579512]I picked up this one.

I have that same one in box
Just need the pack of blades :)
Nice Score!

I have a vintage Gillette 3 piece, and a M'lord convertible I gave my son. Still on the hunt for an adjustable though. My dad had one I loved to look at, adjust etc as a kid. Sadly it didn't get held onto.
Will find one in time no doubt..
Mike's is really nice looking I can vouch for as well.
:tu

Of the vintage Gillettes I have had a ball end Old Type, a M'Lady Decollete, a '53 Super Speed, a '59 Fat Boy and a triangle hole guard ball end tech. I have Piffed the old type and the tech. I still have the others. All great shavers. I have a few other DE and SE razors too.

The 50's and 60's Super Speeds are great vintage shaving tools no doubt. I keep a couple in my rotation along with a couple modern razors. The adjustables can be found on Etsy regularly although a bit pricey. Lots of Gillettes that are in great to almost new shape.