Originally Posted by
Arrowhead
Hello Mick,
If I understand you correctly, you're looking for a DE to use just occasionally for a change or when you don't feel like concentrating too hard. Presumably you'd also like a nice piece of kit.
Based on that, and restricted by my very narrow field of expertise, I'd say a 40's Superspeed would fit the bill admirably. They're easy to find, not especially collectable (thus affordable), excellent easy going shavers, and to my mind the best looking razor ever made in a no nonsense designed by an engineer sort of way. For a weightier option, try to find a Rocket, which is nearly identical to a SS, made in England, and ... heavier. Either would be an excellent starter razor.
Of the more sophisticated vintage models, my pick would be the Slim adjustable: again affordable and nicely engineered, and you get to play about with the adjustment mechanism to get the level of aggression you prefer. Mine is stuck on *very aggressive*, which will cause some shaking of heads, but it suits me and I've had a lot of practice. A sensible place to start is no higher than 3.
I'd leave an open comb for a second purchase: they are a little less forgiving apparently, but I've managed to avoid them so far.
As regards handle length, I'm in the short camp, resting the end of the handle on my little finger, but that's entirely a personal decision.
That's the view from the vintage Gillette corner: hope it might be of some help.