Help me choose my 2nd Razor

New to the forum. Help me pick my next razor. I currently own one double edge razor, the Timeless Aluminum. Current razor cuts well enough, but would like something heavier and smoother.  I’m looking at them following. Thoughts? Opinions?

1. Backland Dart 
2. Rex Supply Co. Envoy
3. Timeless TRBR38: BRONZE SOLID BAR Safety Razor: .38 mm blade gap
4. Yates Precision Manufacturing, LLC
Model 921-M
5. Gillette Flair Tip Super Speed Safety DE Razor 

Go with the the Yates. If you want to step up in efficiency you can just buy the H and soon the EH plate without having to spend too much more.

I don’t think you can go wrong with the yates. It is stainless steel and heavy, especially with the stubby handle. And the M plate is very smooth.

You can’t go wrong with any razor on your list. What’s your budget and what kind of timeline are you looking for?

Blackland Dart for sure. Beyond great value, it's the best looking on that list and it shaves GREAT with little risk of nicks when shaving ATG. I love this razor.

Hi Blackland Razors,

I’m wanting to keep it to $125 or less. Timing is flexible. I’m ready to purchase but not in any hurry. Thanks.

I honestly found the Dart to be aggressive and think that's a huge jump from the timeless aluminum to it. Just offering another perspective. I would recommend the Envoy or the Yates M plate with the emphasis on the Yates

Rex Envoy is on the mild side I'd say about equivalent to the 2 setting on a Rex Ammbassador. How that compares to your other choices I couldn't say except for the Gillette Super Speed. The flare tips and there are a few variations are all in the same ballpark as the Envoy with the exception of the Red tip Superspeeds and the ones made from 3rd quarter 1978 - 1988. The are still mild but a lot less mild than these razors. I'll do a seperate breakdown on the Super Speeds.

The American made Flare Tip Super Speeds come in different varations and each will shave you differently. A simple designation comes down to black handle or non black handle versions. On the mild to wild scale they all fall below the middle point except for the red tips which are low side of the middle point.

The non black handle versions can broken down into 2 major groupings. Those made from from the 3rd quarter in 1953 until 1961, then those made from 1961 - 1967. The difference is profile of the razor head the first group have a fatter razor head profile while the second group have a slim razor head profile. They also shave slightly differently but not enough to seek out one over the other. There are also 2 other Super Speeds that fall under the fatter profile heads and they are blue tip or red tip super speeds. The blue tips are the mildest of the flare tip Super Speeds and the red tips the least mild about middle on the mild to wild scale. Your standard flare tip Super Speeds all fall somewhere in the middle between the blue and red tips as far as aggressiveness.

The black handle versions were produced between 1967 - 1988. They also fall into 2 distinct categories. Those produced between 1967 and 1978 and those produced between 1978 and 1988. Both are less mild than the non black versions with the ones produced after 1978 the least mild of these and closest to a red tip Super Speed.

The first group have the old diamond indent stamped base plate. The ones made after 1978 have a squared stamped indent on the base plate they also changed the knurling on these sometime in the early 80s.

Here are pictures of both style black handle super speeds


From a budget standpoint as long as you keep away from complete sets and collector pieces and stick to user grade pieces you should be able to find all these Super Speeds $20 or less shipped except for the red tips which for one that doesn't look like someone stored it in their $#@ for 40+ years. Expect to pay $20 - $40 range for a decent user grade red tip.

I'd throw in if you are seriously leaning towards a Gillette flare tip razor to consider the adjustables also. Any one of the 4 variations that can be easily had will shave roughly equivalent to any of the flare tip super speeds plus more. You have fat boys made from 1958 - 1961, slims made from 1961 - 1968 then Super Adjustables either the shorter handle Super 84 made from 1968 - 1972? or longer handle Super 109 made from 1968 - 1988. Any of these will come in under your budget as long as you keep away from collector pieces or re plated razors. Expect to pay the most for Fat Boys in $30 - $70 range for a good user grade piece. The Super Adjustables usually go in the $30 - $50 range and Slims $10 to $30 for user grade pieces.

I'd also add the Fat Boys and Slims are roughly equivalent performing razors with fat boys being 1 dial setting milder for the same dial setting on a Slim. Fat Boys cost more because of the hype not because of the performance difference. Super adjustables are the most aggressive on the 9 setting with the Super 109 the most aggressive of them all.