Old Sarge's Shaving Journey

I'm catching up on a lot of forum reading.  That said, I still have a Fat Boy and a Slim, and I'm happy to dig one out for at least some days of the TTO Spectacular.

Thanks, Mike...don't feel obligated! I really like the Slim and as my shaving technique improves I find I can open it up more. Last time I started on 5 and cranked it down on the next pass. Do you see big differences between shaving with the FB and Slim? Is there more to it than just the difference in weight and handle length?

Tabac Tuesday!

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre - Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor - Gillette 40’s Style Super Speed (1947/NDC/No Notch)
Blade: Gillette Nacet (2nd Use)
Brush - Jayaruh #403
Lather - Tabac, Face Lathered
Post - Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s, Clubman Pinaud A/S, Nivea Sensitive Skin & Stubble Balm


This 1947 Super Speed provided such a better shave than yesterday's 1962 version. Even though the razor is much more efficient, it was also smoother. Not sure if the yesterday's shave knocked some of the harshness off the blade, but I'm still convinced this is a smoother shaver. Two passes for the win!

Many feel the 40's style is the best of the Made in the USA Super Speeds. The 1947 model is the first year of the Super Speed and is noted for not having a notch on the center bar. The notch was first included in 1948 to assist in the ease of loading a new blade without having to touch it. My particular razor has a 1946 Ranger Tech base plate, as there is no crimping above the safety bar. Research on the intertubes says that some of these razors even have complete Ranger Tech heads, as Gillette was known from using up parts from earlier models. I'm unsure if my razor has the complete head or just the base plate. Either way, it was a fortunate find in the wild at antique store.

I'm a big fan of participating in Tabac Tuesday! I really enjoy lathering with this soap and I'm one of those that likes the scent. The brush was gifted to my from Jim Roe/Jayaruh and I really enjoy using it with Tabac, since Jim religiously participates in Tabac Tuesday.

Tomorrow's razor, the German made Parat.

A very informative post. Part of the fun of collecting and using vintage razors is tracking down this history!

I'm catching up on a lot of forum reading.  That said, I still have a Fat Boy and a Slim, and I'm happy to dig one out for at least some days of the TTO Spectacular.

Thanks, Mike...don't feel obligated! I really like the Slim and as my shaving technique improves I find I can open it up more. Last time I started on 5 and cranked it down on the next pass. Do you see big differences between shaving with the FB and Slim? Is there more to it than just the difference in weight and handle length?

Two subjects:  First, I'm not sure that "opening it up more" is the best indicator of improving technique.  In some cases, shaving with a big gap can be a crutch for lack of reliable angle control.  I would encourage you to keep that in mind.

Second, I am far from the best person to compare FatBoys and Slims.  Unlike our better historians, I don't know how much the models changed over the years, so I cannot even say how different Slims compare with each other.  Likewise for different FatBoys.  Even if I could, we find them today in better and worse condition, which complicates things.  All that said, I own a Gillette Fatboy 1960 F1 which weighs 79g, and a Gillette Slim 1967 M2 which weighs 71g.  I have not shaved with either in years.  In my case, I lost interest in them over time (perhaps because my control of angle and pressure improved over the years).  Of course, that doesn't mean you or anyone else should feel that way about adjustables - and not all TTOs are adjustable either.

EDIT:  Two subjects - but for you - three subjects:  No worries.  I don't feel obligated.  I think it's a fine idea, especially because it will take me away from my routine for a day or two. 

I'm catching up on a lot of forum reading.  That said, I still have a Fat Boy and a Slim, and I'm happy to dig one out for at least some days of the TTO Spectacular.

Thanks, Mike...don't feel obligated! I really like the Slim and as my shaving technique improves I find I can open it up more. Last time I started on 5 and cranked it down on the next pass. Do you see big differences between shaving with the FB and Slim? Is there more to it than just the difference in weight and handle length?

Two subjects:  First, I'm not sure that "opening it up more" is the best indicator of improving technique.  In some cases, shaving with a big gap can be a crutch for lack of reliable angle control.  I would encourage you to keep that in mind.

Second, I am far from the best person to compare FatBoys and Slims.  Unlike our better historians, I don't know how much the models changed over the years, so I cannot even say how different Slims compare with each other.  Likewise for different FatBoys.  Even if I could, we find them today in better and worse condition, which complicates things.  All that said, I own a Gillette Fatboy 1960 F1 which weighs 79g, and a Gillette Slim 1967 M2 which weighs 71g.  I have not shaved with either in years.  In my case, I lost interest in them over time (perhaps because my control of angle and pressure improved over the years).  Of course, that doesn't mean you or anyone else should feel that way about adjustables - and not all TTOs are adjustable either.

EDIT:  Two subjects - but for you - three subjects:  No worries.  I don't feel obligated.  I think it's a fine idea, especially because it will take me away from my routine for a day or two. 

Thanks, Mike...for the good advice!

Great info Bryan !!

Williams Wednesday!
DEcemBoar!

Cold Water Shave w/ Hot Water Lather
Pre - Aloe Vera Glycerin Soap Face Wash, Noxzema Cream as Pre Shave
Razor - Gillette Parat (German)
Blade: Gillette Nacet (3rd Use)
Brush - Omega 66 Boar
Lather - Modern Williams Mug Shave Soap, Face Lathered
Post - Generic Reformed Alum Block, T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel, Aqua Velva Ice Sport, Nivea Sensitive Balm


The Williams I loaded to my brush just about held out for a solid two-pass shave. The Omega 66 boar did a fine job face lathering, squeezing the last of the lather out for the second pass.

The Parat proved to be even more efficient and slightly smoother than the '47 Super Speed. Part of the efficiency may be due to the weight difference ('47 SS 54g vs Parat 61g). You can really tell a difference in the mechanical smoothness when using the TTO mechanism, with the Parat feeling much smoother and a tighter action. 

The Parat is a version of the British Rocket. There is not a lot of information about this razor online. I believe it was built for the German market between 1956-1962, with some of them being built in England and some in Germany. The British made versions say "Made in England" on the underside of the blade tray, while the German made version do not have any "Made in...". However, the underside of the case that came with this razor does say "Made in Germany". The Parat has the notable TTO gap just like the British Rocket. The only way to tell the two apart is to open the razor and you will see the Parat's TTO knob is of equal diameter to the handle, while the Rocket's knob is of a slightly larger diameter. It is a common opinion that the British Rockets are better made versions of the US Super Speed. With my minimal experience, I would concur with that sentiment.

I recently picked up the Aqua Velva Ice Sport at an Ingles grocery store. This is the same place I found the Williams soap. Surprisingly they also carry the 6oz size of the classic Clubman Pinaud A/S. It's a shame that these items are getting harder to buy locally!

Excellent write up Bryan.  Very informative, at least for me.

FWIW I took my Slim for a spin in honor of the TTO Spectacular, and posted the shave here.  The shave was fine enough, but I can't say we rekindled an old friendship.  IMO it is generally not fair to pull a razor out of the drawer after a long time and compare it with one's favorites, but life is not always fair.  Good condition Slims and Fatboys are certainly fine razors, but I don't see myself spending much time with mine.  (My pile of things I need to be selling/Piffing is getting bigger.)

At the end of the day, I got a nice DFS+.  No regrets.

FWIW I took my Slim for a spin in honor of the TTO Spectacular, and posted the shave here.  The shave was fine enough, but I can't say we rekindled an old friendship.  IMO it is generally not fair to pull a razor out of the drawer after a long time and compare it with one's favorites, but life is not always fair.  Good condition Slims and Fatboys are certainly fine razors, but I don't see myself spending much time with mine.  (My pile of things I need to be selling/Piffing is getting bigger.)

At the end of the day, I got a nice DFS+.  No regrets.

That's a fine SotD image, the Elite brush handle really pops! If you don't mind me asking, if you hadn't shaved with the Slim, which razor would you have selected? When you say compare to one's favorites...what are those favorites? I'm always interested hearing which razor folks are attracted to.

I see you used the Astra SS blade. Are those the ones in the blue or green tuck? I tried the green Astras earlier in my journey, but they didn't particularly impress. I need to revisit though, as I'm sure part of the issue was my poor technique.

FWIW I took my Slim for a spin in honor of the TTO Spectacular, and posted the shave here.  The shave was fine enough, but I can't say we rekindled an old friendship.  IMO it is generally not fair to pull a razor out of the drawer after a long time and compare it with one's favorites, but life is not always fair.  Good condition Slims and Fatboys are certainly fine razors, but I don't see myself spending much time with mine.  (My pile of things I need to be selling/Piffing is getting bigger.)

At the end of the day, I got a nice DFS+.  No regrets.

That's a fine SotD image, the Elite brush handle really pops! If you don't mind me asking, if you hadn't shaved with the Slim, which razor would you have selected? When you say compare to one's favorites...what are those favorites? I'm always interested hearing which razor folks are attracted to.

I see you used the Astra SS blade. Are those the ones in the blue or green tuck? I tried the green Astras earlier in my journey, but they didn't particularly impress. I need to revisit though, as I'm sure part of the issue was my poor technique.

First, thanks for the kind words Bryan.  I finally got a light box, and yesterday was my first go with it.  FWIW before shooting the posted image, I took several dozen snaps (which were later tossed) to test lighting and angle options. 

As far as razors go, the EverSharp Hydro-Magic and the Tatara Nodachi get the bulk of my safety razor attention these days, and my last straight razor/shavette shave was on 11/18.  We have been so (thankfully) busy with holiday preparations since then that I put straights/shavettes on hold.  I had patiently worked my way up to full, effective shavette only shaves and did my first straight razor shave on the 18th.  However, I no doubt shave more slowly with so little experience, and the razor prep (stropping) and aftercare (cleaning, drying, stropping) are slow for me too.  So it may turn out to be safety razors only until the New Year.  ... Hmm.  I digressed.  In order, my favorite shavettes have been 1) Kai Captain "Woody" handle, Feather DX Wood handle, and Weck Sextoblade (w/out the guard).  The Weck is 3rd even though it cuts more efficiently IMO.  Finally, with only 1 straight razor shave in, I can hardly have a favorite.