Note: As a refurbished vintage item, this razor may show minor signs of its storied past, but it is in perfect mechanical condition, ready to deliver a flawless shave.

A 1940s Super Speed Safety Razor is a vintage shaving tool that blends both elegant design and practical functionality. Here’s a detailed description:

Design and Build:

• Handle: The handle of the razor is typically made of sturdy, chrome-plated brass or sometimes stainless steel, giving it a polished, shiny finish. It is moderately short in length but features well-formed, deep knurling along the body for an excellent grip, even when wet. The knurling pattern is fine, providing just the right texture to avoid slippage.

• Head: The razor head is often a TTO (Twist-to-Open) design, allowing the user to load the razor blade easily by twisting the bottom of the handle. This unique design helps eliminate the need for a blade bank, making it much more convenient and safer to replace blades. The head usually has a clean, symmetrical look with a rounded profile, and the edges are smooth and precise.

• Finish: The razor is typically finished in a bright original Gillette Nickel, sometimes with gold plating on select models. The high shine from the Revamp process in our shop creates a timeless and classy appearance, evoking the era's attention to detail in industrial design.

Blade Mechanism:

• TTO (Twist-to-Open): The head opens by twisting the base of the handle, releasing the top of the razor head. This allows easy insertion and removal of double-edge razor blades, which were common during this period. The TTO mechanism was one of the defining features of the razor, making it easier to load blades while reducing the risk of cuts.

• Blade Exposure: The Super Speed safety razor typically has a mild to moderate blade exposure, offering a balance between safety and effectiveness. It provides a more forgiving shave than more aggressive razors, making it ideal for users with sensitive skin or those new to traditional wet shaving.

Functionality:

• Shaving Performance: The Super Speed is known for its smooth and efficient shaving action, giving users a close shave while minimizing irritation. The blade sits securely in the razor, and the design ensures a controlled and stable shave. This model was popular in the 1940s for providing an ideal balance of comfort and closeness. It provides a low-risk shave without the harshness some other safety razors could deliver.

• Weight and Balance: Weighing around 60-70 grams, the razor has a solid, balanced feel in the hand, neither too heavy nor too light. The distribution of weight is even, with the handle slightly heavier than the razor head, which helps in controlling the shaving motion and reducing the need for excessive pressure.

Vintage Appeal:

• Era Representation: As a product from the 1940s, the Super Speed razor is a piece of history, embodying the mid-century's industrial aesthetics and functional design. The design choices, such as the twist-open mechanism and sturdy materials, showcase the practical innovations that were part of the war-time economy and the post-war era’s focus on usability and efficiency.

• Branding: The razor is often stamped with the branding of Gillette, the company behind the Super Speed line, and it may feature a small, elegant "Gillette" engraving on the handle or the razor head.

Collectibility:

• The 1940s Super Speed Safety Razor is highly regarded by collectors and shaving enthusiasts alike due to its iconic design, quality craftsmanship, and smooth performance. Over the years, these razors have become coveted as vintage tools that not only provide great shaves but also represent an important chapter in the evolution of personal grooming.