Thread: First Shave with 1958 Gillette Super Speed

Reveived my Gillette Super Speed TV Special (circa 1958) safety razor and DE blade assortment yesterday. This was my first safety razor shave with a blade (come on now...all of you guys of a certain age can't deny taking the Old Man's razor, removing the blade, lathering up, and "shaving" just like Dad when you were a kid).

After assembling the followng accouterment:

- Gillette Super Speed TV Special (circa 1958)
- Derby blade (thanks for the advice OCDshaver)
- Mulhe slivertip badger brush (23mm)
- Caswell Massey almond shave soap
- Dickinson's witch hazel
- Styptic pencil (just in case)

I soaked the brush and razor in hot water while I took a hot shower. Then came the moment of truth - lathered up in the usual way, preparing for a three pass shave. I incorporated what seemed to be the most consistent elements of the SR shaving procedure from the various articles/videos that I read/viewed, and I must say, things went pretty smoothly, as it were. No nicks - no blood. Everything went pretty much according to plan, that is until I splashed on some witch hazel. Let's just say it got my attention as it had never done in the past with cartridge razor shaves.

The shave was nice and close, much closer than with the Gillette Fusion that I had been using since its introduction. I still need to work on the area under my jawline as this continues to vex. I do feel some "sensitivity" this morning. Not sure if I need to experiment with blade angles, different blade brands, or with some new after shave routine, but as they say, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step....

Hi I have noticed that the same as yourself believe this is due to to much pressure and the angle at which you are holding the razor and yes different blades make a difference try a blade called feather and also asco blades the last I got free from the shave palace are are good blades I use my de razor when have to have a quick shave these will always give a closer shave than the packaged blades as they have to make them easer to use and with less chance to cut or nick most users
most of the time I am still tring to learn how to get on with my open razors

Shaving with a DE is similar to using a straight in many ways. Use the lowest angle that will cut whiskers and keep it consistent during the entire stroke, and use the least amount of pressure as possible. Once you get that down pat you have to find a good razor/blade combo and you'll get awesome shaves. Far superior to any cartridge/disposable.

You have (had?) razor burn.

The Derby blades aren't all that sharp. Using too much pressure (which you may need, to get the blade to cut well) will scrape off a little skin. The aftershave, on sensitive (scraped) skin, hurts.

Suggestions:

. . . Use less pressure !

. . . Develop better (thicker, more protective) lather with experience;

. . . Use a sharper blade (Astra, or Feather, or Gillette) and _less pressure_ .

. . . Don't use any aftershave that contains alcohol. Aftershave "balms" -- water-based -- are probably OK.

Report back --

. Charles

I'm new to DE's as well but I had mild razor burns only a few times. I figured out why (more or less as the suggestions above indicate) and it was just a little too much pressure and it was always either just under the nose or around the chin.

That's (of course) the hard to cut areas so I was either using too much pressure or making too many passes in rapid succession. When I stopped doing those things I had no more razor burn.

I use Astra with an adjustable razor on a low (2) setting. I need no pressure other than the weight of the head (Gillette Super Adjustable). If I feel the need to make a few passes I add more leather but mainly I just wait and do it later when I do the whole face rather than just that localized area. In many cases now just one overall pass is enough however.

Witch Hazel has never burned for me. I didn't think it had alcohol in it? The styptic pencil burns but WH over the same spot never does that for me. Maybe there are different types of WH as well?

+1 on more lather
+1 on Astra SP's
+1 on light, almost no pressure
+1 on steep angle
+1 on report back
Although, I like a high alcohol content aftershave. I like feeling the burn.

I have a 1949 SS and like its build quality and balance. However, it is very mild. It is my razor of choice when my skin is irritated, but I feel like I am mowing grass using a high quality mower with its blade set too high. I must guard against using too much pressure trying to compensate for a closer shave as pressure causes skin irritation. As long as I use no pressure, I get a very comfortable shave with a very low risk of a nick or weeper. I usually want a closer shave than I am getting from the SS so use a more aggresive DE rather than try to compensate by pressure.

Reporting Back....

Tried a couple more shaves with the Derby blade while experimenting with blade angles. Subsequent shaves went better than the first - no sensitivity or burning, but still not what you would call a baby smooth shave. I decided to move up on the blade sharpness continuum to a Gillette Wilkinson Sword, and tried holding my elbow about shoulder high to maintain proper blade angle, and lo and behold, there was a noticeable difference in both comfort and closeness. Not sure if it was the blade or the "chicken wing" arm position, but something clicked.

Followed up with some excellent Bay Rum, Sage and Cedar after shave that I received as a sample from John at Ogallala (The World's Largest Bay Rum Website) and all is right with the world.

Originally Posted by sheajohnw

I usually want a closer shave than I am getting from the SS so use a more aggresive DE rather than try to compensate by pressure.

That's it exactly, isn't it? The mildest of razors, say a Gillette Tech, always cause me to scrape and scrape my face to get a clean close shave. A more aggressive razor can do the job in fewer passes and less pressure, so less irritation.