Vintage vs Modern

I've long been an advocate of vintage razors and specifically SE razors, though I do use DE razors.

I thank the modern razor manufacturers who are "out there" and I'm incredibly happy that not everyone is as satisfied as I am with vintage so that we can keep them in business. That's good for shaving in general and bodes well for the hobby and the necessity of shaving.

Frankly I can't understand why everyone doesn't see the supremacy of SE razors, but clearly not everyone does. :-) I have to literally force myself to use my DE razors. My hand is just naturally attracted to the SE razors. Would I ever sell my Gillette single rings or my Muhle R41s? Not on your life! I like the variety when I remember they exist. I think I hold onto the other DE razors just in case the zombies attack. I have a few DE razors on hand so that everyone can have their brains eaten by one of the walking undead while the eaten sports a great shave. (clearly I've watched far too much of The Walking Dead; a TV show)

I just haven't tried an SE yet but plan to some day. I'm not sure if I would like them better than a DE or not, but I love the option of flipping around my DE to not have to rinse as much.

I've only been wet shaving for 3 years or so and just recently bought my first new razor.
For over 2 years I used a Super Speed then I found these forums and got turned onto SE razors and the 3 piece Gillettes.

Now I really like my newer razors, a Fatip Piccolo and RR Little Bastone and for inexpensive razors these are great but I prefer my older razors.
I still split between DE and SE, I really enjoy aspects of both systems.

As time goes on I would like to pick up some nice condition vintage razors.
I've lucked out and got some really nice razors but most of mine are users.
The most I've spent is 35 bucks and that was for a really good condition Single Ring.

I really doubt I will ever go for any pricey new razors because they don't really appeal to me.

Granted I'm new to this, but I use both. I think each offer something different. I enjoy the nostalgia of using my Slim, but I like the shave I get from my Muhle R89 as well. As far as price goes, from what I see, it depends on the type of razor you want. For example vintage adjustables are far more reasonably priced than their modern counterparts. However, slants for example, a nice vintage model seems to be more costly than a modern one. Being a not so patient guy, modern razors are easier for me to acquire as well. My .02 YMMV


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Each morning is a new adventure. That is not too bad for an 83 year old geezer.


Mickey

You got me by a few years, Mickey, but I just had my 80th earlier this month, so I'm catching up to you. It's great that even though advancing years rob us of certain abilities, there's generally enough left to keep things interesting.

Being a new 'returnee' to wet shaving after 50+ years of the 'buzzbox', I have the luxury of starting over. In that vein, I've decided that my razors will be both vintage Gillettes and modern high end stainless steel razors. So far, I've only acquired a few of the old timers. NEW SC and LC, along with a triangular slot TECH now grace my den, and am awaiting what looks to be a nice example of an H1 SLIM to arrive.

Then, if I can ever get on James' wait list, I'll someday have one of his Wolfmans on the premises. That leaves, at this time, only the decision of which ATT combos to round out the expected inventory.

7 razors, total, would be nice as that would allow each day to be different like Mickey's arrangement.

if vintage works for you, then by all means stick with it. there's absolutely nothing wrong with that...and really, how can you get a better price than $5-$10 for a vintage gillette, gem or schick razor?!

Vintage razors are often so cheap that there is no reason not to have a few of them in your den to at least compliment your modern razors. I don't really care whether vintage razors shave all that well or not as I rarely use them. They're just an affordable hobby for me and a lot of fun to find in the wild. I usually wind up gifting most of the ones I find.

I usually wind up gifting most of the ones I find.

Likewise. I have a birth quarter Slim that I hang on to but otherwise usually find myself PIF'ng them on to others.

New or old I use em.

Clayton

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Had to do a quick shave this afternoon so I picked up the Gem Micromatic Bullet tip with a 4 shave old Gem SS blade and the Arctic Chill Barbasol. I used my Semogue 1520 to apply and hydrate the lather. The shave I recieved from my six dollar Gem was comfortable and smooth and 99.9% bbs. It was a great shave and it had me wondering why I need so many razors. It out shaves all of my DE razors, and it just does a little better than my Schick Adj. Injectors.

Clayton

I'm like a lot of the others here, I shave most of the time with vintage Gillettes. There is something about using an older item that has stood the test of time as opposed to the junk that is sold today and last long enough for the company to introduce the next latest model.

Modern razors are nice but I like my vintage razors.