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....