The best vintage razors were produced by Gillette from the 1940s to the 1970s. To figure out the year of production, look under (or inside) the head of the razor for a letter and a number. Then look up that code on this page , and you can find the production year. Models before the 1940s are quality make, but are mostly screw-on heads, which don't work as well. Some models have no date code — notably the 1948-1949 Gillette SuperSpeed , which is my favorite razor.

2. Gillette is the only really good vintage brand. Other brands such as GEM and Schick were produced, but Gillette held several important patents, and produced the butterfly-opening razors which are the most desirable.

3. The best models are the butterfly-opening type, and the nicest to start with are the adjustable models. The butterfly models are preferable because while the screw-on types of razors can deliver a nice shave, the ease of access to the blade area in butterflies is excellent for rinsing out detritus during and after shaving as well as for changing out blades. The adjustables are great because they have a do-dad on the handle that adjusts the distance of the safety bars from the blade, which allows the shaver to adjust for the task at hand; are they chopping off a thick beard, or are they trying to get a close shave on a delicate area of skin?

Desirable models from Gillette include the Adjustable, the SuperSpeed (no date code or British models only) and the Aristocrat or Presidente (see pics).