I SHAVED WITH A CENTURY OLD KING THUS MORNING!

During a "Materials Science" class discussion, the topic of razor blade edge sharpness came up,,

Well, some microscope time, some measuring,, some calculating later,,,,

it was determined that hot water WOULD increase the width of the blade enough
"to make the razor blade feel less sharp!!"

So, unless there was a math error,,,,,,,,,,,
you are best shaving by running cold water on the blade,, not hot water,,,,,

:eek:
 
During a "Materials Science" class discussion, the topic of razor blade edge sharpness came up,,

Well, some microscope time, some measuring,, some calculating later,,,,

it was determined that hot water WOULD increase the width of the blade enough
"to make the razor blade feel less sharp!!"

So, unless there was a math error,,,,,,,,,,,
you are best shaving by running cold water on the blade,, not hot water,,,,,

:eek:

That and some people will shave with cool water because it keeps you skin more taught and your pores closed.

After reading posts on the Badger & Blade shaving forum, Badger & Blade, one thing that's for certain is everyone's face and whiskers are different. So, when you find something that works, stick with it.
 
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King Gillette that is. One of my good friends recently gave me a NIB vintage Gillette razor and a 5 pack of King Gillette blue carbon steel blades that dates back to the late 1920's or early 1930's I do believe. The razor & box of blades were also in the hard covered original box and they had not been opened. NOTE: The razor itself in the photo is not the one that came in the box - it is just a daily shaver and is probably from the late 1940's. That is what I used this morning.

I have been shaving for well over 54 years now and always used a double edged razor, shaving brush and mug soap, other than for a few months in college when I tried a Trac - Two. Didn't care for that an went right back to my Double Edge Razor so I am extremely used to shaving with a double edge razor.

I use a good mug shaving soap that provides plenty of lather and slickness and I did not really know what to expect out of this close to century old new in the box, blue carbon steel blade.

My experience with it this morning was very exiting but I actually got a pretty "grabby" and rough shave. I did not cut myself as I was being very careful and I did get a somewhat close shave but nowheres near what I normally get with modern double edged stainless blades! I got the sense that back in the day, they used steel that was just not able of being sharpened as well and was not coated with anything on the business edges, therefore were just not capable of the shaves they provide today.

All in all I really got a thrill out of shaving with a century old blade but will more than likely change it tomorrow morning. I know there are some older fellas here who might get a kick out of this so that is why I am posting it. Now I know why the actors in the movies from back in the day usually has a 5 o'clock shadow - lol!!

Gillette used date codes on their blades and, off and on, their razors. Here's a link to the Razor Emporium website with a table showing the codes. Gillette Date Codes

One of my favorite combinations is a 1949 Gillette Super Speed razor with a modern Gillette Platinum blade. They just seem to efficiently erase my whiskers while feeling like I forgot to put a blade in the razor. This combination always gives me a baby butt smooth (BBS) shave with no drama.
 
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You're a much braver man than I...
Here it is. Maybe I'll strop it up and have a go. "What could possibly go wrong?"

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(Note to self: Buy styptic pencil first. Already have a blood clotting trauma pack.)
 

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I thought about getting a straight razor

When I was a wee lad, I was watching my great uncle shave with a straight razor. I asked him why he used that instead of a Gillette like my father. He replied, "It's a useful skill for a man to have. Someday you will be married and you will understand."

I was bewildered, but a dozen years later when I first started to shave he fixed me up with a razor, mug, brush and strop and taught me to use them. I got to liking it as much for the good shave as to impress my "cowardly" friends. But then I went into the Army and straight razors were forbidden in the barracks. Later, living in family quarters, I was running late one morning when I picked up the nasty, sodden, leg hair clogged mess that had been my razor and my uncle's words came back to me. Indeed, I WAS married, and I UNDERSTOOD!!

That evening the old razor was returned to service and I have endeavored to pass on Uncle Tony's profound insight and wisdom to my sons and nephews.
 
When I shave, six months of the year, from the Spring Equinox to the Autumnal Equinox, I use a badger brush, Col Conk shave soap, and a Gillette Super-Speed that is as old as I am (date marked 2nd qtr. 1956). I load the razor with Israeli Personna blades that I get 100 a time online.

The razor, brush, soap, and blades are now on hiatus.
 
Riddle me this; what constitutes a "good shave"?

Do you use a mirror and a magnifying glass and feeler gauges to measure the cut?
Do you stroke your cheeks to determine the coarseness?
Do you drag a nylon stocking across your face to see if it snags?
Do you wait for people to approach you and say "pardon me old chap but your stubble is showing"?


To me a good shave is a combination of a smooth, no stubble face checked by my hand, no cuts or nicks and for the razor to glide and work effortlessly during the shave. It is also important to achieve all this without the need to repeatedly having to go over an area many times to achieve great results.
 
When I shave, it's in the shower using my wife's razor with that lube strip on it.
Over the sink shaving I use Barbasol Red and make sure the blade isn't rusted :D
 
BTW, after trying the 100 year old Blue Gillette blade once - I swapped it out for a modern D/E blade. I noticed that the old blade was so thick, it barely even flexed.
 
Gillette S.S.

Yes - a very nice gift!
The vintage Gillette razors in excellent condition l
have gotten very pricy now that the younger
generations have seen the light! I LMAO when I
hear the younger guys complain about the price
of the new Track 5 blades that only last a few shaves.

The new fangled cartridge razors are such
a scam. The old double edged razors are
so much better in many ways.

About 10 years ago I found a 1941 Gillette
Super Speed (twist to open) DE razor. I
started shaving with it and really enjoyed
the closest shave ever.

The Super Speed's metal construction is
timeless and durable. Double Edge blades
are so much cheaper than cartridge shavers.
The new found closest shave ever is just
so nice, it also promises better face skin
care. Acne is a thing of the past. One has to
handle blades with safety of course. A Blade
Vault is a must for used blades.

I shave daily just because of the nostalgia of
the Super Speed and I think it was my
Grandfather's.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.
 
All from the Family

A picture of my small Razor collection.

1941 Gillette Super Speed (Turn to Open)

Gillette "Travel Razor" kit, the head part
from that kit, I had and a neat handle I
found at Salvation Army Shop.

Two Straight Blade Shavers.

And the Astra Superior Platinum Double Edge
blade 5 pack tuck that agree with my face.

I don't use the Straight Blades, never tried them.
 

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I shave with a vintage Gillette that looks exactly like the one in the OP. Mitchell's Wool Fat soap is what I have settled on for years.

I like Astra blades. I few years ago, I came across a deal for a bulk deal on the Astras and probably have about 3 years worth left.
 
The appearance of stainless safety razor blades back in, I think, the 1950s, was considered a huge advance in shaving technology. I believe Wilkinson Sword was the first on the market, they came from England. A blue blade might work for two or three shaves, stainless blades were good for maybe 8 to 10. I have written earlier about the Rolls Razor, sort of a combination of a straight razor and a safety razor. They worked pretty well. At one time they were fairly common, but I have not seen one for a long time. A very ingenious design.
I have a Rolls that belonged to my grandfather- the design and self contained sharpener is truly ingenious
But I'm not gonna even attempt to use it. Visions of blood loss enter my mind!
 
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