Super Speed question

W

waynejitsu

Joined
Oct 1, 2002
Messages
1,167
If I am not mistaken, so me are "adjustable", some are not.
1- What does it adjust?
How important is it to have this feature?
 
AFAIK, the Super Speed model was never an adjustable. There were a few variations on the adjustable that looked somewhat similar, the Slim, the Fatboy, etc.

What adjusts is the amount of gap between the blade and the guard. The larger the gap, the more exposure the blade edge has, the more aggressive the shave. Set to "1", the typical Gillette is so mild it will hardly shave anything. Set to "9", it's a pretty decent shaver, but a light touch is needed to avoid irritation or worse. As I understand, Merkur adjustables have a wider range and are more aggressive at the high end.

How important is this feature? Let's just say this: I have a couple Slim adjustables and a Fatboy. I rarely use them. Some guys like to shave one pass in one setting, change, and do another pass or different direction at a different setting. That strikes me as OCD, but YMMV.
 
To the best of my knowledge the Super Speeds and their British cousins the Rockets are not adjustable.
Although I would like to get a Fatboy or something similar just to own and use on occasion, I think that a good non adjustable is the better way to go. I have an EJ89L and 50's Rocket Flare Tip, both are great razors, the EJ is considerably heavier and the Rocket is a gentle shaver and shorter, but the end results are the same. I find I can be a little more aggressive with the Rocket and it is more maneuverable because of the light weight and short handle.
 
I wound up buying the super speed today, should be here in a week..., now I need blades, LOL!!
This is totally new to me, I did not even know anything was available besides the cartridges
 
Super Speed variations are shown up in the "tips"

Std SS--nickle finished tip

Red tip SS--heavier handle-more aggressive shaver

Blue tip SS--less aggressive shaver

Black tip SS--aluminium handle(most of the production)-I'm assuming less aggressive--mine will be showing up tomorrow--got it for $2.99--shipping was slightly more($6.64 total)---so I'll let ya know how it shaves. It looked pretty ratty in the pics--but I think I can clean it up real nice.

Black handled SS(nickle tip) is just a later production Std SS-----got one on Ebay just today---so should see that one by the end of the week--$13 total with shipping.

The Walmart Wilkenson blades work great in my Super Speeds and Slim Adj----and not so great in my Merkur 38c and EJ89L.

If you're patient---you can pick up vintage Gillettes pretty cheap on the bay---some of them are going for crazy prices---just set your limit and don't get caught up in a bidding war.

Oh ya---forgot to warn you about RAD(razor aquistion disorder)--it sneeks up on you quickly and is hard to shake---but doesn't have to cost much if you're carefull-----I've been DE shaving for 3 months now and already have 7 razors. A Merkur - slant--open comb--and Progress are still on my "to get" list---then I might be done.

Gillette's:
Super Speed
Red Tip
Black Tip
Black Handle
Slim Adjustable

Merkur 38c(red handle)---got a great deal on it
EJ89 L

There's all 7 listed
 
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a good adjustable is best if you were to only own one razor(*snort*). i find a highly aggresive shaver works best for mowing through growth, while a lower setting is better for daily shaving(though if i've got a week's worth if beard saved up i'd rather do the initial clean up with a straight razor).
 
OK guy's, this brings a new question-
Aggressive and mild.
What does that mean?
Aggressive on your face sounds bad.
Also, sharp, sharper sounds better or am I missing something?
Thanks again:)
 
For ME---aggressive is better---because it takes less passes to get my neck BBS----with a mild razor I keep on going over it and wind up with some serious burn.

BBS is a must for ME--otherwise I'll be spending all day obsessing about the spot I missed.

Super Speeds give ME an OK shave. I keep a SS in the shower for touch ups-if needed----as I shave before the shower. Change the blade weekly.

My go to razors are a Slim Adj(dialed up to 8) and a Merkur 38c Barberpole---they just shave ME better.

Looking into a Merkur open comb or maybe a slant (Barberpoles)for they're more aggressive shaves.

Super Speeds and the EJ89L are known to be mild shavers----the EJ89L really tears me up because I have to keep going over spots that only take 2--maybe 3 passes from my go to razors to get the same quality of shave. Other guys just flat out love the EJ89.

The thing is---this is all very individual---to each person's skin and hair type---what works great for me might be horrible for you---you just have to experiment with different blades and razors till you find the combo that works for YOU.
 
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aggressive and mild just refer to the amount of blade exposure, or the gap between the edge and the guard. on an adjustable razor more blade is exposed as you set the razor to a higher number, thus making it more aggressive, and "fixed head" razors vary in aggressiveness. The most aggressive fixed-head i own is the Merkur HD(AKA the Heavy Classic, Hefty Classic, or Heavy duty), and the gentlest(mildest) i have is a Gillette Tech.
 
Simple explanation of an aggressive razor is one that cuts closer to the skin, because of the blade exposure that darth kcorbe mentioned. Meaning that you can get a closer shave in fewer passes then with a mild razor. the thing with an aggressive razor is that you also have more of a chance of cutting skin if your technique is not right. I personally like a mild razor because of my sensitive skin, and I enjoy the time I spend shaving.
 
Well, guy's, that makes sense. Thank you both for the explanation.
Where does a Super Speed fit in? aggressive or mild?
 
It really depends on the SS you have. There are different tips, red, blue, black, and plain. If I remember it right from most to least it would be Black Red Plain Blue. I don't have any SS but I do have the British cousin a Rocket Flare Tip plain and I find it to be a mild shaver, on par with my EJ89L. My 1950 Aristocrat is more aggressive but still a pleasure to use, I just have to be careful with it.
 
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