Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
In ‘47, the first Superspeed didn’t allow for speed loading.
Vintage Gillette Shave
- Thread starter Jim Kleinkauf
- Start date
Wrong End Chihuahua
Veteran
But it was still a whole lot faster to change a blade with a TTO than a 3-piece razor. That’s what “speed” referred to.
Wrong End Chihuahua
Veteran
Not sure what the site policy is with regards to linking to other sites, but on Mr Razor there’s a copy of an early Superspeed advertisement brochure that makes it clear they are talking about the speed of changing the blade.
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
On the left is a ‘59 “red tip” model and the right a ‘47 Superspeed. Are the photos adequate for you to see the difference? The first year superspeed had wings and as such didn’t allow for quick blade installation.
Wrong End Chihuahua
Veteran
The quick blade installation was in the fact that all you had to do to change blades was to twist a TTO open and then closed, as opposed to disassembling a 3-piece razor, placing the blade on the cap, aligning the cap with base, and screwing on the handle.
While they made the speed of loading the blade even faster, it was the difference in speed between the TTO and the 3-piece that made them call it "Superspeed". Of course it wasn't the first TTO design, but all TTOs were specifically marketed for the speed of loading and unloading the blade, not shave speed.
Here's some text copied from Gillette's original advertising brochures from Mr. Razor site, for various TTO razors.
1936 Aristocrat
"Just twist the handle and the head opens, allowing you to remove or replace the blade in a second. Twist again,
the razor head shuts and you are ready for another perfect shave. Here is speed and convenience for either change of blade or
cleaning after shaving."
1938 Aristocrat
"Think of the convenience of this "one-piece" Razor. Think of the time it saves."
1943 Ranger Tech:
"A twist-it's open; a twist—it's closed. The most convenient and fastest shaving razor ever produced. No loose parts to get
lost. Easily cleaned, simply hold under faucet."
1939 Popular #45
"The Gillette 'one-piece' razor brings shaving down to its simplest terms.
No bits or pieces to screw or unscrew. Just twist the handle —the head opens for cleaning or a new blade. Twist again-and it's ready for your next shave. Even if you already have a Gillette you should get yourself a 'one-piece' razor. It will save you time and trouble — and give you a quicker, cleaner, more comfortable shave than you've ever had before!"
1943 Ranger Tech
"A twist-it's open; a twist—it's closed. The most convenient and fastest shaving razor ever produced."
And, finally, 1948 Superspeed (the emphasis is as it appears in the ad)
"This is the only razor that combines instant blade changing with double edge economy."
So as you can see, the speed of blade change is a recurring theme here. Not the speed of shaving. Gillette consistently marketed their TTO razors as being the fastest to change blades, and one model eventually got called "Superspeed".
While they made the speed of loading the blade even faster, it was the difference in speed between the TTO and the 3-piece that made them call it "Superspeed". Of course it wasn't the first TTO design, but all TTOs were specifically marketed for the speed of loading and unloading the blade, not shave speed.
Here's some text copied from Gillette's original advertising brochures from Mr. Razor site, for various TTO razors.
1936 Aristocrat
"Just twist the handle and the head opens, allowing you to remove or replace the blade in a second. Twist again,
the razor head shuts and you are ready for another perfect shave. Here is speed and convenience for either change of blade or
cleaning after shaving."
1938 Aristocrat
"Think of the convenience of this "one-piece" Razor. Think of the time it saves."
1943 Ranger Tech:
"A twist-it's open; a twist—it's closed. The most convenient and fastest shaving razor ever produced. No loose parts to get
lost. Easily cleaned, simply hold under faucet."
1939 Popular #45
"The Gillette 'one-piece' razor brings shaving down to its simplest terms.
No bits or pieces to screw or unscrew. Just twist the handle —the head opens for cleaning or a new blade. Twist again-and it's ready for your next shave. Even if you already have a Gillette you should get yourself a 'one-piece' razor. It will save you time and trouble — and give you a quicker, cleaner, more comfortable shave than you've ever had before!"
1943 Ranger Tech
"A twist-it's open; a twist—it's closed. The most convenient and fastest shaving razor ever produced."
And, finally, 1948 Superspeed (the emphasis is as it appears in the ad)
"This is the only razor that combines instant blade changing with double edge economy."
So as you can see, the speed of blade change is a recurring theme here. Not the speed of shaving. Gillette consistently marketed their TTO razors as being the fastest to change blades, and one model eventually got called "Superspeed".
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
As you note, it was the ‘48 Superspeed. Please understand, I’m not arguing. The difference between 1947 and 1948 design is obvious. The ‘47 didn’t provide a faster blade installation.
Jim Kleinkauf
Forum GOD!
RAZOR: Gillette '40s British Flat Bottom Tech Green Sandalwood Handle
BLADE: British Wilkinson Sword (NOS)
BRUSH: Oumo 01 Venus 26mm Fire Color SHD Badger
LATHER: Truefitt & Hill Apsley Luxury Shaving Soap
POST: Ethos Mélange d’agrumes Skin Food Splash
Str8Mug
Forum GOD!
Great thread as I've had somewhat of a revival with Vintage Gillette razors, specifically within the Tech range. Here it's my 2nd favorite Tech, the Post-War Gold Tech. Very smooth & forgiving with superb results using the sharpest blade in DE land. A treat to use....
Apologies for the Pic. The Sun peeked through at the last second...
Apologies for the Pic. The Sun peeked through at the last second...
chazt
shave
It’s a fortunate “mistake,” @Str8Mug. Great effect.
It’s really hard to go wrong with a Tech. I have a post war NDC ball end that is a near perfect version of Tech if you ask me. Another I really have grown to appreciate for its predictability of as you say, “very smooth and forgiving with superb results“ is an early 50s gold plate Canadian hollow fat handle Tech. It’s great on it’s own, and is the best of my Techs when wanting to shim a blade.
The one I use least is a 60s English Tech with a seemingly unique basket weave handle. It’s definitely not aluminum or zamak, being too heavy. Rather, I think it’s plated brass. I don’t know for sure, but this may perhaps be the English variant on which the Feather ASD2 was modeled. The functional angle at which the blade actually cuts is very small. Every other Tech I’ve used has had a significantly wider range of usable angles.
Will take some photos when there’s decent natural lighting. It’s an overcast and cloudy day here.
It’s really hard to go wrong with a Tech. I have a post war NDC ball end that is a near perfect version of Tech if you ask me. Another I really have grown to appreciate for its predictability of as you say, “very smooth and forgiving with superb results“ is an early 50s gold plate Canadian hollow fat handle Tech. It’s great on it’s own, and is the best of my Techs when wanting to shim a blade.
The one I use least is a 60s English Tech with a seemingly unique basket weave handle. It’s definitely not aluminum or zamak, being too heavy. Rather, I think it’s plated brass. I don’t know for sure, but this may perhaps be the English variant on which the Feather ASD2 was modeled. The functional angle at which the blade actually cuts is very small. Every other Tech I’ve used has had a significantly wider range of usable angles.
Will take some photos when there’s decent natural lighting. It’s an overcast and cloudy day here.