Shave of the Day - 3/31 / Received Blade PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash

C.O. Bigelow Shave Soap

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush

Gillette NEW

Voskhod Teflon Coated  (7)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

The C.O. Bigelow Shave Soap I got in a PIF. It face lathered easily with the Semogue 1305 boar brush. I made two passes and touch ups with the Gillette NEW and the Voskhod Teflon Coated blade to get a near BBS shave. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

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Received Blade PIF Today

We were gone all day today and spent time down in SC with son David and family, so we got home late (9:30). I was surprised to find my blade PIF in the mail. It contains 20 blades: 5 Derbys, 4 Wilkinson Swords, 3 Astra Superior Stainless, 2 Astra Superior Platinum, 2 Gillette 7 O'Clocks, 2 Bics, and 2 Dorcos. This is as much as 20 weeks of shaves, and I will get to try blades I have never used.

Shave of the Day - 3/30

Dove Men's Face Wash

Cella Shave Cream

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

Gillette NEW

Voskhod Teflon Coated  (6)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

The Frank Shaving finest badger brush face lathered the Cella shave cream very nicely. Two passes and touch ups with my Gillette NEW and the Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me with a near BBS shave. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/29

Dove Men's Face Wash

Van Der Hagen  Luxury Shave Soap

Parker Black Badger

Gillette NEW

Voskhod Teflon Coated  (5)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

The Van Der Hagen Luxury save soap face lathered easily with my Parker black badger brush. I did two passes and touch ups with my Gillette NEW and a Voskhod Teflon Coated blade for a near BBS shave. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/28

Dove Men's Face Wash

Williams Mug Shaving Soap

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush

Gillette NEW

Voskhod Teflon Coated  (4)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

Williams Mug Shaving Soap face lathers so easily with my Semogue 1305 boar brush. Two passes and touch ups with my Gillette New and the Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave. It left me clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/27

Dove Men's Face Wash
Van Der Hagen  Deluxe Shaving Soap
Frank Shaving Finest Badger
Gillette NEW
Voskhod Teflon Coated  (3)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
FD Old Spice AS

Frank Shaving finest badger does a great job face lathering the Van Der Hagen Deluxe shaving soap. I broke out the Gillette NEW for the third shave with the Voskhod Teflon Coated blade. They worked together for two passes and touch ups to give me a near BBS shave. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. It was a mighty fine shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/26 / A "Hefty" PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash
Kiss My Face Cool Mint Moisture Shave
Parker Black Badger
'62 Gillette Slim
Voskhod Teflon Coated  (2)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

The Kiss my Face Cool Mint face lathered well with the Parker black badger brush. It took two passes and some clean up on the neck with the '62 Gillette Slim and a Voskhod Teflon Coated blade to produce a near BBS shave. I finished off with a cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave.

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A "Hefty" PIF

I started my own PIF today on The Shave Den. I am offering a Parker 94R "Hefty" three-piece razor. It has a great finish, heaviness in the hand, and shaves more aggressive than the EJ89. Also offered is Van Der Hagen deluxe Shave Soap, and a 5 pack of Shark Super Chrome blades. April 1 would have been my Dad's 100th birthday. In his memory, I will choose the winner using the old school method of drawing the name from a hat.

Shave of the Day - 3/25 / I Won a PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash
Col. Conk Amber Shave Soap
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
'62 Gillette Slim
Voskhod Teflon  Coated (1)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
Pinaud Clubman AS

The Semogue 1305 boar brush face lathered the Col. Conk Amber shave soap very well. Two passes and touch ups on the neck with the '62 Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me with a near BBS shave. A cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave finished off this refreshing shave.

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I Won A PIF

On The Shave Den, Nate, from Washington state, put on this "Small PIF." There were 13 entrants. He wrote them all down and put them in a hat. I was pulled out. Woo-hoo! Now I will have a new house for my GEM Bullet Tip. I am also looking forward to trying out those Astras. The Van Der Hagen Shave Soap is a great soap.

Update: The goods arrived. I will be using the Astras right away, and now my GEM Bullet Tip has a nice new home.

Thanks Nate for this great "Small PIF."

Shave of the Day - 3/24 / Won Indian Wilkies PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

1914 Ever-Ready

Personna/GEM PTFE Stainless

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

Happy Birthday to the 1914 Ever-Ready razor. I broke out the ER 1914 today. I have only shaved once before with it back in November.  Today, the Frank Shaving finest badger brush face lathered Col. Conk's Lime Shave Soap effortlessly. I got the angle right today as I carefully made two passes with my 1914 Ever-Ready with Personna/GEM blade. It was a near BBS shave. A cold water rinse followed with Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice AS left me clean, smooth, and refreshed...

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Won Indian Wilkies PIF

I won 5 Indian Gillette Wilkinson Sword blades on Friday, March 24, in a PIF on The Shave Den.

Shave of the Day - 3/23

Dove Men's Face Wash

Proraso Green Shave Cream

Parker Black Badger

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon  (4)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

The Proraso Green Shave Cream face lathered well with the Parker black badger brush. Two passes and touch ups with the '62 Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me with a near BBS shave. After the cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/22

Dove Men's Face Wash

TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon  (3)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

The Cemogue 1305 boar brush continues to deliver excellent face lathering experiences. Today, it delivered with TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream. Two passes and clean up on the neck with my '62 Gillette Slim and a Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave. Once again, I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/21

Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Bay Rum Shave Soap

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon Coated (2)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

Today the Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush was used to face lather the Col. Conk Bay Rum shave soap. It took two passes with the '62 Gillette Slim with the Voskhod Teflon Coated blade to produce a near BBS shave. I finished off with a cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. Now, I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/20

Dove Men's Face Wash

C.O. Bigelow Shave Soap (first shave)

Parker Black Badger

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon Coated (1)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Today was the first shave using C.O. Bigelow Shave Soap. I received it in a pif recently. I face lathered the COB with my Parker black badger brush. The eucalyptus made for a really cool shave, and the cold water rinse was especially invigorating. Two passes with the '62 Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade were smooth and effortless. It left me near BBS. After that invigorating cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave. It was quite a nice shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Received a New PIF Today

I received this nice PIF today from some great folks on The Shaving Den forum.

• A 1.7oz tube C&O Bigelow shave cream with eucalyptus
• A puck of deluxe VDH shave soap
• A pack of CVS brand double edge razor blades
• A dollar store cappuccino mug
• A hand made by Lady_Badger camo paracord survival keychain 
• Two music mix cds. 

A big thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Badger for this PIF.

I am looking forward to trying these all out. I will be using the C.O. Bigelow SC tomorrow.

Shave of the Day - 3/19

Dove Men's Face Wash

Van Der Hagen  Luxury Shave Soap

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon Coated (5)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

The Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Soap was very rich as I face lathered with the Semogue 1305 boar brush. I made two passes and touch ups with the '62 Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade for a near BBS shave. I retired the blade after the shave. A cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman AS left me clean, smooth, and refreshed.

Shave of the Day - 3/18

 

Dove Men's Face Wash
Williams Mug Shaving Soap
Frank Shaving Finest Badger
'62 Gillette Slim
Voskhod Teflon Coated (4)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
FD Old Spice AS

The Williams Mug Shaving Soap comes up every ten shaves and I am amazed by it every time. It lathers easily and provides a rich slick substrate for a great shave. The Frank Shaving finest badger brush really likes Williams. Two passes and touch ups with the '62 Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me with a near BBS face. I finished off with a cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/17 / Travel Tech PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash

Cella Shave Cream

Parker Black Badger

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon Coated (3)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

The Parker black badger brush did a good job lathering the cella shave cream. Two passes and touch ups with the '62 Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave. Now, I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

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Gillette Travel Tech PIF

A young man, Aelfred (20), on The Shave Den expressed an interest in the Gillette Travel Tech razor. I had two, so I offered to PIF one to him. It turns out he is in the Guard and wanted to get one to take with him for training. He reported back that it shaved well for him. I had one like this when I was in basic training in the Army.

Shave of the Day - 3/16

Dove Men's Face Wash

Van Der Hagen  Deluxe Shaving Soap

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon Coated (2)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

The Van Der Hagen Deluxe shaving soap lathered well with the Frank Shaving Finest badger brush. Two passes with the Gillette Slim and Voskhod Teflon Coated blade left me with a near BBS shave. I finished off with a cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave. Clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/15

 Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

'62 Gillette Slim

Voskhod Teflon Coated (1)  (First Shave)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

Wow! What a great shave today. The Col. Conk Lime shave soap face lathered very well with the Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. I made two passes with the '62 Gillette Slim on 4 and the Voskhod Teflon Coated blade. This was my first shave with a Russian blade. I am declaring a BBS shave. A cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. I am indeed clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/14

Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Amber Shave Soap

Parker Black Badger

Gillette Super Speed '76

Derby Extra Stainless (6)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave of the Day - 3/13

Dove Men's Face Wash
Proraso Green Shave Cream
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette Super Speed '76
Derby Extra Stainless (5)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
Pinaud Clubman AS

The Praraso Green Shave Cream was very refreshing. The Semogue 1305 Boar Brush did an excellent job face lathering. Two passes with the Gillette Super Speed and Derby Extra stainless blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/12

Dove Men's Face Wash

TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

Gillette Super Speed '76

Derby Extra Stainless (4)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

It was a mighty fine shave today. I love the way my Frank Shaving finest badger face lathers the TOBS Lavender shaving cream. Two passes with the Gillette '76 Super Speed with the Derby Extra stainless blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice AS. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Voskhod Russian Blades/ Won another PIF

I received these Russian blades Monday from a PIF on The Shave Den shaving forum. I am glad to get an opportunity to try out these blades.

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I found out that I won another PIF. It was offered by KcHighLife on The Shave Den. This one is a collection of blades. He said that he may be including some other things in the package, but he made no promises.

There are twenty blades: 7 different brands, 4 of which I have not tried. I am looking forward to receiving them. 

Shave of the Day - 3/11

Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Bay Rum Shave Soap

Parker Black Badger

Gillette Super Speed '76

Derby Extra (3)

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

It was an outstanding shave today with the Col. Conk Bay Rum shave soap face lathered with the Parker black badger brush. Two passes is all it took with the Gillette '76 Super Speed and Derby Extra stainless blade to get a near BBS shave. I finished off with a cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...     

Shave of the Day - 3/10

Dove Men's Face Wash

Kiss My Face Cool Mint Moisture Shave

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush

Gillette Super Speed '76

Derby Extra Stainless (2)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

It was a good shave today with the Kiss My Face Cool Mint Moisture Shave. The Semogue 1305 boar brush face lathered exceptionally. Two passes with the Gillette '76 Super Speed and the Derby Extra stainless blade left me near BBS.  I finished with a cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/9

Dove Men's Face Wash
Van Der Hagen  Luxury Shave Soap
Frank Shaving Finest Badger
Gillette Super Speed '76  (First Shave)
Derby Extra Stainless (1)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
FD Old Spice AS

Today was a first shave day, '76 Gillette Super Speed. The Frank Shaving finest badger did a great job face lathering the Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Soap. Two passes and touch ups with the Gillette Super Speed with the Derby Extra stainless blade left me near BBS. A cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave was a finish to a great shave. It has been over a year since I used a Derby Extra. I picked these up last week and thought I would give it a go with this razor. I was very pleased. Now I am clean, smooth, and refreshed. This razor is the birth year razor for my oldest son. I will be taking it to him Easter weekend.

Shave of the Day - 3/8

Dove Men's Face Wash

Williams Mug Shaving Soap

Parker Black Badger

Gillette Super Speed '47

Shark Super Stainless (8)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Today's shave was very nice. The Williams Mug Shaving Soap face lathered generously with the Parker black badger brush. Two passes and touch ups with the Gillette Super Speed '47 and Shark Super Stainless blade left me near BBS.  A cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave left me smooth, clean, and refreshed.

Shave of the Day - 3/7

Dove Men's Face Wash
Van Der Hagen  Deluxe Shaving Soap
Semogue 1305 Boar Brush
Gillette Super Speed '47
Shark Super Stainless (7)
CWR
Thayers Cucumber WH
Pinaud Clubman AS

Another great shave today featuring VDH Deluxe Shaving Soap, face lathered with the Semogue 1305 boar brush. Two passes with the Gillette Super Speed '47 and Shark Super Stainless blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman After Shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/6

Dove Men's Face Wash

Cella Shave Cream

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

Gillette Super Speed '47

Shark Super Stainless (6)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

The Frank Shaving finest badger brush did a great job face lathering the Cella shave cream. This is a very nice cream. Two passes with the Gillette Super Speed '47 and Shark Super Stainless blade was all it took for a near BBS shave. After the traditional cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and some Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. I am smooth, clean, and refreshed...

1976 Gillette Super Speed

Last week I had acquired my birth year razor, the 1947 Gillette Super Speed.  Then, I got to looking around for birth razors for my sons. I found this one on eBay. This is son Philip's birth year razor: the '76 Gillette Super Speed. It was a buy it now deal, and so I did.  It arrived in the mail today, and I cleaned it up. It is in very good condition and should be a good shaver.

Click on the picture for a closer look.

Shave of the Day - 3/5

Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Amber Shave Soap

Parker Black Badger

Gillette Super Speed '47

Shark Super Stainless (5)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Today is the 45th anniversary of my return to the US from the Republic of Vietnam. It is good to be home.

Today, I face lathered the Col. Conk Amber Shave Soap with the Parker black badger brush. I made two passes and touch ups on the neck with the Gillette Super Speed and Shark Super Stainless blade that left me with a near BBS shave.  After a cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Shave of the Day - 3/4 / Won a PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash

Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap

Semogue 1305 Boar Brush

Gillette Super Speed '47

Shark Super Stainless (4)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Pinaud Clubman AS

It was a very close comfortable shave today with the Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap. The Semogue 1305 boar brush did a great job face lathering the soap. Two passes and touch ups with the Gilette Super Speed and Shark Super Stainless blade left me near BBS. After a cold water rinse I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Pinaud Clubman After Shave. I am smooth, clean, and refreshed...

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Won a PIF

I entered this PIF on The Shave Den and won 5 Voskhod Russian blades. The PIF was run by blanka, and he chose five winners. I am looking forward to trying my first Russian blades.

Shave of the Day - 3/3 / Spilco Magic Shavette PIF

Dove Men's Face Wash

Proraso Green Shave Cream

Frank Shaving Finest Badger

Gillette Super Speed '47

Shark Super Stainless (3)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

FD Old Spice AS

Another nice shave today featuring the Proraso Green Shave Cream. It was face lathered with ease using the Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. Two passes and touch ups on the neck with the Gillette Super Speed with the Shark Super Stainless blade left me with a near BBS shave. After the cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Cucumber WH and Family Dollar Old Spice after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed. 

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Spilco Magic Shavette PIF

I received this very nice Spilo Magic Shavette in a PIF to PIF. I posted the PIF on Blade & Badger on February 27, and it ran through March 3. There were 41 entrants. I used a random number generator to choose the winner. The winner was #23, tlentz.

Shave of the Day - 3/2

Dove Men's Face Wash

TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream

Parker Black Badger

Gillette Super Speed '47

Shark Super Stainless (2)

CWR

Thayers Cucumber WH

Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Very nice shave today with the TOBS Lavender Shaving Cream. The Parker Black badger brush face lathered it easily. Two passes and touch ups with the Gillette Super Speed with the Shark Super Stainless blade left me near BBS. A cold water rinse followed by Thayers Cucumber WH and Aqua Velva Ice Blue after shave was the perfect finish. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed.

Super Speed Comparison

On the left is my birth year razor, the 1947 Super Speed. On the right is a 1953 Super Speed.

The main difference in the two razors is the design of the center bar. The 1947 SS was the first of this model. Its center bar was like that of its predecessor, the Gillette Senator, it was un-notched. Starting in 1948 the center bar was notched to allow for easier loading of the blade from their new blade dispenser. The user would push the blade out of the dispenser and hook it onto the notch and the pull it out completely to load it.

Left 1947, right 1953.

1948 Blade Dispenser

The 40s style SS was produced from 1947-1954. Various other models of the SS continued through 1988 (see below).

The 40s model is fairly easy to get, but the 1947 is not. I am happy to have been able to acquire this one for my collection. It is in great shape, and it is a great shaver.

The Other Super Speeds

The Black Tip was made in 1951 and 1952. There were steel and aluminum handle versions.

The third quarter of 1954 gave the 40's style Super Speed its last hurrah with a special limited edition re-release promoting the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports. It is known as the 1954 TV Special.

The Flare Tip was produced from 1954-1968 with some variance in the knurling of the handle.

The Blue Tip was produced from 1954-60. It was a milder version SS.

The Red Tip was produced 1955-1960 and was heavier and more aggressive than the Flare Tip and Blue Tip.

This is the 1958 Gillette Super Speed called the TV Special, because it was used as a promotion for the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports Friday Night Fights on television. 

The Black Handle was produced from 1966-1988. The black handle is a resin coat over metal.

'76 Super Speed

See also: Notched vs. No Notched