A couple new razors

David Martin

David Martin

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Apr 7, 2008
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Heres a couple new razors I picked up:
The DE is a Gillette Super Glide; the straight is a A.F.Bannister mfg. 1885-1915.
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Heres a better photo.
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Then after I cleaned him up.
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DM
 
The Gillette is a 1958 mfg..
I'll put an edge on the Bannister and take it for a test drive. DM
 
To pretty-up the horn, get a nail polishing board at the drug store and use it to buff the horn to a gleaming shine. The board should be two very fine grits on one side, then a final polishing surface on the opposite. Horn and fingernails are the same stuff, so it works quite nicely.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I sharpen it and shaved with it today and really enjoyed the shave. This Bannister will be seeing more whisker time in the future. It sharpened easy and cuts well, leaving good results which my wife liked. DM
 
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I've since shaved again with the A.F.Bannister and this was even a better shave. Then the Gillette Super Speed DE had a old Super Blue blade in it which after cleaning it I went ahead and sharpened it. It sharpened up nice and easy. I'll shave with it tomorrow and give you the low down on how it handles a three day beard. DM
 
The shave (rather the attempt at shaving) with the Gillette was a flop as the housing on this DE extends too close to the edges of the blade hence not allowing a shave. If I used force on the stokes it did cut some whiskers. So, after 4-5 stokes I put it away and used my Bannister and recieved a good close shave. Are all DE blades made the same width? It must be that DE razors are made with different widths allowing for a more agressive shave. So, I need one with a more narrow housing inorder to obtain a shave. DM
 
It is most likely that in using the old blade that you made the blade narrower. DE blades are meant to be disposable and only good for 5-7 shaves maximum. DE blades are relatively cheap, even the expensive ones, I suggest buying a package of blades and giving it another go. Shaving with a DE razor should require no added pressure and give you a nice clean shave in 3 passes even with a mild razor like the Super Speed.

the blade gap, space between the blade edge and the safety bar on a Super Speed is only .58mm. I can't seem to find the exposure measurements for any razor right now let alone the flare tip super speed:o From the looks of things it appears that you actually have a 58 TV special Super Speed
 
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unky_gumbi said:
It is most likely that in using the old blade that you made the blade narrower. DE blades are meant to be disposable and only good for 5-7 shaves maximum. DE blades are relatively cheap, even the expensive ones, I suggest buying a package of blades and giving it another go. Shaving with a DE razor should require no added pressure and give you a nice clean shave in 3 passes even with a mild razor like the Super Speed.

the blade gap, space between the blade edge and the safety bar on a Super Speed is only .58mm. I can't seem to find the exposure measurements for any razor right now let alone the flare tip super speed:o From the looks of things it appears that you actually have a 58 TV special Super Speed
Click to expand...

It could also be the angle at which the razor is being held, since DE's don't have a hinged neck like cartridges do to automatically adjust their angle of approach. Some razors are more finicky than others in this regard.
 
I just ordered a 10 pack of Feather blades. So, when they come in I'll try those in my DE Super Speed. Unky, My wife's brother in law looks about like the guy in your avatar. Hence, it takes Effort to read your posts. ;)DM
 
Well the picture is of me from about 2 years ago, but I have never been married so its nothing to worry about:p
 
Ok, I just finished shaving my Gillette Super Speed DE of 1958, using Feather blades. While this is only my 1st shave with a DE since 1975 and of limited experience I'm compelled to say I'm impressed. The ease is what shocked me the most as the entire shave only took 13min. even cutting those weak side difficult areas easily. Thats including wet down and lather. At first I thought O-boy its not cutting whiskers again but it was. I shaved a 2 day growth beard very quitely. With my straight I can hear it cutting the whiskers but using this DE I could not. Secondly, it impressed me with the smoothness, mainly just go over it once and once more in those problem areas and rinse. Whereas with my straight I have to go over these areas three times painstakingly with each stroke and sometimes still manage a nick or two. Each stroke must be executed flawlessly. I can tell when I'm a least beat off :( . I examined the blade prior to the shave and the scratch pattern looked to be around 600grit then stropped. So, I wondered about it being real sharp. The real item that helps it so much is it may only be decently sharp (about half that of a good straight) but its thinness greatly helps. Whereas, a straight is twice as thick. I got a few nicks but I think those were from scraping off old scabs from a previous shave. I can get an equally close shave with my straight but it takes double the time and a steady hand while making those strokes. I just went to it with this DE not taking any special care and got a very good shave. I think there is more DE shaves in my future. DM
 
Plus, I picked this DE up at a Gun & Knife show for 2$ and the Bannister straight cost me 20 bucks... DM
 
Hmm... I don't think I could ever get my straight razors as sharp as DEs. After using a DE, I've never found straight shaves comfortable.
 
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