Second DE razor

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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So I have been contemplating buying a second DE razor. I am leaning towards a 60s era Gillette adjustable as apposed to a modern adjustable, but I am not sure what I should be looking for, any suggestions?

Currently I am using a EJ 89L and love it, but it would be nice to have something to throw into the mix from time to time. I am also thinking of picking up a Goodfella in satin black just because I like the looks of it. I think 3 razors and a couple of brushes to go along with my soap addiction should keep me happy for a year:D
 
the Fat Boy seems to be all the rage lately, and I really like mine. However, don't discount the Slim Adjustable, or it's younger brother, the '70s Super Slim Adjustable (with the longer handle). I have a 1976 Super Slim Adjustable and a 1960 Fat Boy. They feel different in the hand. The Fat Boy is more compact and fills the fingers a bit more, but has a taller head. The Super Slim Adjustable has a longer handle, so the balance is different. The shorter head means you have to use a different angle than the Fat Boy. I still haven't decided which one I want to keep. I love the feel and balance of the Fat Boy, but I like the consistency of head design between my 1964 Super Speed and my 1976 Adjustable (both are the same height).

Look for doors that close evenly, the adjustment ring should still have black in the numbers, the bottom part of the head should move up and down smoothly, and it should click, instead of slide, to the next number.
 
Unfortunately I won't be able to handle the razors in person as I will most likely be buying through ebay or some other online source. The only DE I have experience with is my EJ 89 so I wouldn't know how its length stacks up to others. I have read that the Goodfella is suppose to be short handled.
 
So I just got lucky today and scored what as far as I can tell is a 1957 Gillette superspeed flare tip, for free. Everything feels solid and all the plating is intact, I need to do a little cleaning on it and find my camera, but I will post pictures later tonight. Its considerably lighter then my EJ89L and shorter, but feels good in my hand.
 
Pictures of the new old razor. As it turns out it isn't a Super Speed but instead it is a Rocket. From what I can gather it is just the British version of a Super Speed.

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As light as it is I like the way it shaves and can't wait to use it with my proper hand
 
I have really been bit by the vintage Gillettes. I have purchased or been given a mid fifties Rocket, a 1938-1941 Tech and a 1950 Aristocrat. Of the 4 razors I have now I like the Aristocrat the best followed by the EJ89L, the tech and rocket are tied for third. I am hunting for a Slim adjustable to round out what I have available.
 
I used to have a razor VERY similar to that Gillette, if not the same model. Seeing it made me wonder what ever happened to it. At a flea market I frequent, razors from that era are common.

For me, the "injector" single edge razors were BEST for a good shave and easy to use. Then it became difficult to find blades.

Peter
 
I used to have a razor VERY similar to that Gillette, if not the same model. Seeing it made me wonder what ever happened to it. At a flea market I frequent, razors from that era are common.

For me, the "injector" single edge razors were BEST for a good shave and easy to use. Then it became difficult to find blades.

Peter

I know there are guys over on badger and blade that are still using schick injectors. as much as I dislike Ebay it is probably your best bet to find them at a reasonable price
 
Don't they have Amazon where you live?:D

:D Funny...I use Amazon frequently, and USED to buy many things off of ebay, but it has been longer since i've stopped using "injector" razors, than i've been using the internet.:eek:

Thanks for the tip. I may just buy some injector blades, as I do still have a couple of my injector handles.

Peter
 
I had bought the GEM razor just because I thought the handle was COOL!

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Then earlier this year, I noticed the bakelite GEM case with the gold Gillette DE razor in it, so I bought it for the bakelite case. Forgot where I got the GEM blades...must be somewhere in the lost brain cells along with what happened to the aforementioned Gillette adjustable DE.

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Regards,
Peter
 
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