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slather
Is there such a big difference in terms of shave between a 40's style Superspeed and the Red Tip version. How is the Red Tip more aggressive? Just a heavier razor?
The blade gap is a little greater making the razor a little more aggressive. It's really not any more aggressive then an adjustable set at a mid setting. It is not to be feared and can give a wonderful smooth shave. If you're thinking about getting one just do it and give it a try.
Len
I highly recommend the Red Tip. When I first started wet shaving, I was intimidated by the "aggressive hype" of the Red Tip, almost to the point of not trying one I bought. Trust me, the weight, the beautiful handle, the smooth shave, make it one of my all time favorites.
Keep your flare tip, but add a Red Tip today!!!!!!!
Keep your flare tip, but add a Red Tip today!!!!!!!
My Red Tip is currently in my rotation (I don't think it is all that aggressive, and in fact the super hyped Merkur HD might be significantly more aggressive), it provides an incredible shave, and is a wonderfully made tool.
For certain, you should pick one up if you have the funds.
For certain, you should pick one up if you have the funds.
The best way to satisfy yourself on that question is to buy a Red Tip. I have flare tips, a blue tip, and a Slim, and the Red Tip is definitely in my rotation...
Try it, you'll like it...
Try it, you'll like it...
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- #6
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slather
So red doesn't stand for blood ...
I have one on it's way to me very soon and that is it NO MORE RAZORS!
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- #8
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tittssphia
Thank you for the information.I like this forum
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Digging up on an old thread because I tried my red tip on one side of my face this morning and a 40s SS on the other. Both shaved really well. The result is BBS shave on both sides with very little irritation. My best result so far. (I'm coming to the end of the my first week as a DE man.) The only other razor that did as well, or perhaps even a bit better, was my Edwin Jagger DE89l, which I've only used once.
By contrast, when I tried the red tip on one side and a blue tip on the other, the blue tip side would either not be as smooth or there would be a lot more irritation because I was going over the area again and again.
The other thing I'm noticing is the razor itself doesn't make anywhere near as much of a difference as the face prep. Today I used the recently posted tip of letting the lather soak in for two full minutes before beginning the shave. That produced a significant improvement.
One last thing; all of these shifts are somewhat subtle. The difference between a 40s SS and a red tip is almost nothing. Both cut the whiskers very effectively. The red tip seems a tad more aggressive and maybe a tad less forgiving. But nothing to be afraid of.
My worst shave so far was a DFS with some significant irritation. Today is the first day with pretty much zero irritation (no doubt due to the lathering tip). My only mishap was a fairly significant cut that happened the first time I shaved, about a week ago. But again, for newbies like me, nothing to fear. A bunch of blood ran down my neck into my chest hair but it looked far worse than it was. There was no pain because the blades are so sharp, the bleeding stopped after ten or fifteen minutes and the welt on my neck healed over the next few days.
I'm having a great time learning to mix up warm, rich lathers and the time I spend applying and shaving them off has become a special part of my day. Something I very much look forward to. Already, after a week, what used to be a chore I quickly plowed through has become something to appreciate and savor.
Yesterday, my wife and I took her parents out to some small, pretty towns within a few hours of where we live. While there, I hit a bunch of out-of-the-way antique stores and scored a bunch of great razors. The 40s SS together with a Slim and a Black Beauty, all three together for $25. In another shop, picked up an old fat handled tech (which I can't wait to try) for $2. In yet another shop, a mid-50s SS and a blue handled Lady Gillette (for the wife) for $7.95 each. Then another slim and a nice EverReady brush for $10 (total). And the best score of the day was a Fat Boy in nice condition in its original box for $22.50 (which was 10% off the asking price of $25). I think it's fair to say that if I choose to sell any of these, it will be at a profit.
One week in, my collection now includes one tech, three flared silver tips, one blue tip, one red tip, one mid 40s SS, one Aristocrat adjustable, one Slim, two Black Beauties, one Fat Boy (and another I picked up on e-bay but will return because the condition was not as promised unless the seller sends a partial refund), my wife's Lady Gillette and the DE89l. That's 14 or 15 razors, many of which I'm not even ready to try. Also have a cheap boar's hair brush, two antique brushes, a SR 3824 (a real beauty which I haven't used yet), with a Wee Scott and a $2.95 Turkish wooden handle horse hair shaving brush on the way. Not to mention soaps, creams, blades. A far more compelling adventure than I had imagined when I got tired of paying through the nose for cartridges and decided to find another way. That was maybe ten days ago and here I am now, practically a collector of vintage razors.
By contrast, when I tried the red tip on one side and a blue tip on the other, the blue tip side would either not be as smooth or there would be a lot more irritation because I was going over the area again and again.
The other thing I'm noticing is the razor itself doesn't make anywhere near as much of a difference as the face prep. Today I used the recently posted tip of letting the lather soak in for two full minutes before beginning the shave. That produced a significant improvement.
One last thing; all of these shifts are somewhat subtle. The difference between a 40s SS and a red tip is almost nothing. Both cut the whiskers very effectively. The red tip seems a tad more aggressive and maybe a tad less forgiving. But nothing to be afraid of.
My worst shave so far was a DFS with some significant irritation. Today is the first day with pretty much zero irritation (no doubt due to the lathering tip). My only mishap was a fairly significant cut that happened the first time I shaved, about a week ago. But again, for newbies like me, nothing to fear. A bunch of blood ran down my neck into my chest hair but it looked far worse than it was. There was no pain because the blades are so sharp, the bleeding stopped after ten or fifteen minutes and the welt on my neck healed over the next few days.
I'm having a great time learning to mix up warm, rich lathers and the time I spend applying and shaving them off has become a special part of my day. Something I very much look forward to. Already, after a week, what used to be a chore I quickly plowed through has become something to appreciate and savor.
Yesterday, my wife and I took her parents out to some small, pretty towns within a few hours of where we live. While there, I hit a bunch of out-of-the-way antique stores and scored a bunch of great razors. The 40s SS together with a Slim and a Black Beauty, all three together for $25. In another shop, picked up an old fat handled tech (which I can't wait to try) for $2. In yet another shop, a mid-50s SS and a blue handled Lady Gillette (for the wife) for $7.95 each. Then another slim and a nice EverReady brush for $10 (total). And the best score of the day was a Fat Boy in nice condition in its original box for $22.50 (which was 10% off the asking price of $25). I think it's fair to say that if I choose to sell any of these, it will be at a profit.
One week in, my collection now includes one tech, three flared silver tips, one blue tip, one red tip, one mid 40s SS, one Aristocrat adjustable, one Slim, two Black Beauties, one Fat Boy (and another I picked up on e-bay but will return because the condition was not as promised unless the seller sends a partial refund), my wife's Lady Gillette and the DE89l. That's 14 or 15 razors, many of which I'm not even ready to try. Also have a cheap boar's hair brush, two antique brushes, a SR 3824 (a real beauty which I haven't used yet), with a Wee Scott and a $2.95 Turkish wooden handle horse hair shaving brush on the way. Not to mention soaps, creams, blades. A far more compelling adventure than I had imagined when I got tired of paying through the nose for cartridges and decided to find another way. That was maybe ten days ago and here I am now, practically a collector of vintage razors.
I'd say you're well on your way to a very fine, representative collection, at least of DEs. There's still SEs and injectors to be explored!
What you need is a red tip, blue tip, black tip, black handle, regular handle super speeds. All great razors. The red tip is a great shave.
Both razors are great, but the Red Tip is slightly more aggressive than the 40's SS.
Just get them all! 
Or at least a "user" grade version of most of them. This is a fairly affordable hobby as far as hobbies go...and the equipment can be used daily.
Or at least a "user" grade version of most of them. This is a fairly affordable hobby as far as hobbies go...and the equipment can be used daily.
I'm with you, fellas. It's an incredible hobby!
Give some serious consideration to single edge ( the absolute best in shaving in my opinion), injectors and eventually straight razors.
You have really explored all DE shaving has to offer in a very short time.
But dont take this as criticism, I went completely insane my first few weeks of wet shaving, buying every DE I could get my hands on.
After countless purchases, now a year later I own 7 SE, 3 DE and 3 straights. The DE razors are honestly just taking up space.
True, since the Red Tip only slightly more aggressive it's almost all about which handle feels better to you IMO.
What makes a single edge a better shave? Would seem like the razor would be less effective because of the thickness. Also, what's the fascination with straights? They look really cool and all but does one really get a better shave and, if so, why?
Wouldn't say I've explored all DE shaving has to offer; not by a long shot. I'm not ready to use many of my razors. But I am picking it up fast. The shaving angle came naturally and easily. I can feel when it's cutting right and when it's not. Within a few days, I found that the best shave comes with an agressive razor with very little pressure -- essentially just the weight of the razor itself when going WTG. The two minute lathering as beard prep made a huge difference this morning. Looking forward to tomorrow's shave.
)I love both of them but the red tip is, so far, my favorite. Well, that and the DE89l. But I've not yet tried my Fat Boys, Slim, Aristocrat Adjustable or my Black Beauties. Looking forward to all of 'em.
