Thread: 1953 Gillette?

Gibbs, I've got to tell you, if you ever want to trade, I've got some DE's (gillettes) I'd give you in return for your straights! I love my straights far more than my DE's. I don't have the experience you probably have with the DE's but while I can get a good shave from the DE's my Genco blows them out of the water when it comes to comfort. Less weepers, zero irritation, and long lasting smoothness.

I'm definitely a straight man.

Thanks Jim, I appreciate the offer. I find a lot of the Gillettes shave more or less the same, especially the adjustables. Tonight I shaved with my new (yes, somebody's Dad/Grandpa must have gotten it for Christmas and merely tucked it away all these years) 1971 shorter handle Super Adjustable Gillette. I used a Rapira (Russian) blade that has received a lot of good reviews. Shaved very close.. BBS close, no nicks, no weepers, and not much extra thought into it. I believe I kind of like my Israeli Persona blades just a tab better. Have you every tried one of those? There are so many blades out there for DE and many folks work around and finally find one that feels just right. I've never had a cut, nor a nick, nor a weeper from a DE shave, and I set it kind of aggressive at 7 on most of the razors. The Fatboys I have are wonderful shavers. I'll bet if I PIF ed you a Persona for your DE you'd be surprised and your Genco would wonder what it had come up against.. LOL

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Thanks Jim, I appreciate the offer. I find a lot of the Gillettes shave more or less the same, especially the adjustables. Tonight I shaved with my new (yes, somebody's Dad/Grandpa must have gotten it for Christmas and merely tucked it away all these years) 1971 shorter handle Super Adjustable Gillette. I used a Rapira (Russian) blade that has received a lot of good reviews. Shaved very close.. BBS close, no nicks, no weepers, and not much extra thought into it. I believe I kind of like my Israeli Persona blades just a tab better. Have you every tried one of those? There are so many blades out there for DE and many folks work around and finally find one that feels just right. I've never had a cut, nor a nick, nor a weeper from a DE shave, and I set it kind of aggressive at 7 on most of the razors. The Fatboys I have are wonderful shavers. I'll bet if I PIF ed you a Persona for your DE you'd be surprised and your Genco would wonder what it had come up against.. LOL

Ma-y be. Maybe. I set my Fatboy at 3 and can come up with weepers on my ATG pass pretty regularly. I don't get burn, but my skin's definitely more comfortable after my Genco running the same passes. I've heard a lot of good things about those Israeli blades though...might just have to order some up some day...but I sure like playing with my straights. Of course I've only been wet shaving since Feb so I have a lot to learn on the experience end of things.

Peace,

Finally got around to getting pictures of the new "acquisiton". Nice little razor, but, WOW, you shave on 3? I start at 7 on all the adjustables and never so much as a weeper nor nick nor any razor burn. I shave first pass with the grain and second across the grain, and rarely do I go ATG whether DE or straight. I will say that the next day (I shave in the evening) that the face when felt with the hands feels a little more "prickly" with DE than when I shave with a striaght. Might be the straight manages to cut flatter across the hair. Perhaps I need to "stretch" more when shaving with the DE and that might hellp a bit. Really, those Israeli blades are someting to behold, and feel on the face. I found there are many different razor blades being made and some are more sharp and more agressive than others, (per a review on blades) and some are more face friendly than others. Some are downright disgusting too.

The razor I talked about....


The top of the case, with no sign of rubs or scratches, as new as if it were sitting on a store shelf.


With the top of the clear case cover off. Numbers are crisp and black and metal bright and shiny, all working perfectly.



Image showing the razor next to the silver 2 pack blades and there are 2 blades left in the holder.



R-3 date codes on the bottom indicating 1971 3rd quarter. I graduated in 1971 and well could have looked at one just like this that summer out of High School.

Just wanted to post it for those that want to see a 1971 Gillette.

Gibbs, The true 1953 is the second one pictured. These razors were Nickel plated not stainless. IMO the best of the Super-Speed line...Enjoy!!!

The second of the first two pictures is the 1953 Super Speed. I've got one that I use on days I need a quick shave and it is indeed, a great shaver. BTW:I think I've read that it's about the end of the 40's types of Super Speeds, a renowned model line.

I have not one but 3 of the Y-2 Gillettes now. One in great condition, one in very good condition and one that in new-never used in a new travel kit. I got it the other day, the 1953 travel kit with Gillette after shave, Gillette Foamy, Gillette Right Guard, a new razor and the blades underneath are still in their original packaging. I have shaved with both of the other 1953 razor and they do an EXCELLENT job with the Super-Max Super Platinum blades I have for trial. I was impressed. FWIW, I have never had a weeper, nick nor razor burn in the DE shaves I have recently started. The closest I came to irritation was with a new BIC razor and BIC blades. That was a new blister-pack razor + blades and made in China. It is a VERY aggressive shaver and only by paying attention did I get by without issues. In fact, half way through, I swapped out the BIC blade for the Israeli Persona and all went better. Pics of the travel set if you you want to see them? Original cost of all the stuff in the case.... $1.49

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Pics of the travel set if you you want to see them? Original cost of all the stuff in the case.... $1.49

That's a silly question!

And I may just have to pick up some of these o-so-amazing Israeli blades. I get at least half a dozen weepers with my DE, and while I don't get razor burn, my face can get irritated in this hot humid weather we've been having here. Not so when I shave with my Genco...BUT...my new stone is supposed to arrive today! So I'll probably be playing with it and getting an increasing number of straights up and shave ready before I find motivation again to buy more DE blades.

All that aside, bring on the pics!

hey gibs ive got a valet auto strop in great shape, let me know if ur interested, im thinking about trading for a straight someday.

Ok, Jim (and others) the pics of the 3 Gillette 1953 razors, and the travel kit.....



One on the left is the most plating loss. I have shaved with it, and nothing wrong with the shave. Smooth and comfortable. It's just not as pretty without some of the plating, but that does not seem to matter much to the end shave. Next to is is the other 1953 and it's in a lot better shape. In the case is the new 1953 Gillette.



All 3 razors (1953 Y-2 all) outside the case



The travel kit with the lid up. Blades under the razor are still in the original celophane wrap. Imagnine, only $1.49 at that time. It's something my Father could have bought coming home from Germany out of the service. I'm sure it would have been available for a few months on the shelf.

Then, for kicks and giggles, is a pic of the F-1 Fatboy, the 1962 Slim Adjustable and what I got today, a Merkur Futur. Shaved on 4 first pass then dropped down to 2. Was BBS hours later even. No nicks nor weepers. It hold the blade kind of odd, not bent down as much as those with the Gillette and Schick.