Been eying a pack of these on the bay, thought I'd give them a try. But before I do, thought I'd get some feedback from you guys on whether I will be wasting my money.
I suppose what I really want to know is, how do they compare with say a Swede or Super Iridium.
All the best
Gillette Vintage Blue Blades
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Jonnieboy61
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SquireSquire wrote:John vintage (say 40+ years) stainless blades continue to hold their edge for the most part, some are quite good actually, (Wilkinson, Gillette Platinum Plus, Schick Plus Platinum, Personna 74) but I wouldn't trust a vintage carbon steel blade for shaving.
Thanks for your input, I have no real experience of these really old blue versions, but will give 1 pack a try even if its just to compare
All the best
John
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Jonnieboy61
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Jackcelar36 wrote:John,
I just got 6 of this
Still packed in cellophane but its open. It came with my fatboy(1961y)
If u want just pay for delivery as I dont need them for collection or to use.
Offer only for John as he wants to try, If not I will keep them.
Cheers
Thanks for the offer, most generous, but I have some on their way to me already.
All the best
John
Always happy to help Back in the early 60s, when I first started shaving, I used Gillette Super Blue Blades for the most part, although I experimented briefly with the Blue Blades. I thought the entire shaving experience was terrible, especially with the Blue Blades. At least part of this was the result of my very poor technique. During my 1st year in college my dad sent me a pack of Wilkinson Sword stainless blades, then pretty new in the US market place. They were significantly better in all respects. I would be very surprised if you come away with a good opinion of the Super Blue or Blue blades. Of course, if you're a collector, then they are "must have" blades; otherwise, I wouldn't recommend them. Nearly every blade available today would be considerably better.
nelson
nelson
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Jonnieboy61
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Straight Arrow
- Posts: 1259
- Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:45 pm
- Location: NJ
While I agree that vintage stainless blades are sharper and smoother than vintage carbons I will say that there are many old carbons that are quite usable and, for some shavers, preferable. Gradually, over a period of two or three years, I have just about completely migrated to vintage carbon razor blades. Sure, they take quite a lot of getting used to. Expectations need to be re-vamped and altered technique is required. The payoff is shaves as close as desired with almost total elimination of irritation and nicks. Certainly vintage carbon users represent a small niche group of shavers. The investment of time and effort is quite daunting in terms of locating blades, determining condition, and modifying technique. But the returns are worth it.
Rich
I started out with Blue Blades in 1956 - can't say whether they were "Super" or not - and used them exclusively until coated stainless steel blades appeared four or five years later. My recollection is that they gave me excellent shaves, just as Rich says. Their drawback was that they didn't hold an edge for more than two or three shaves, and they were susceptible to rust. At least they were for an owner as careless as me in my teenage years. I was at no pains to dry the razor after each shave, let alone remove the blade and let it dry properly.
I moved along with technology and now use only cartridges. But I do have fond memories of the old experience - not that I'd dare attempt to recreate it now.
I moved along with technology and now use only cartridges. But I do have fond memories of the old experience - not that I'd dare attempt to recreate it now.
Porter
When it was introduced in about 1958 or 59 it was heads and shoulders above any other commercial blade on the market ... a breakthrough in sharpness. Because it was marketedly sharper than most ... maybe all ... stainless blades at the time Gillette did not market a SS blade because they believed that shavers preferred a sharper blade to one with durability. Clearly they were wrong as SS blades began to take larger and larger shares of the market so Gillette began making SS blades. I used Super Blues until about the early Sixties when I gravitated to SS blades. I am sure that current Feather blades are sharper than the Super Blue blades were then but this is now and that was then. My source for this was the President of Gillette at the time.