Agressiveness: Red tip versus NEW?

[saintpat]

I've been doing the DE shaving thing for about a year now and have settled upon a Gillette NEW long comb as my tool of choice. I like the efficiency of the razor and the ability to adjust the angle to get tougher to reach spots. (My other razors are a Merkur 23C and a Muhle R89.)

So I would love to try another vintage Gillette and am interested (as apparently many others are) with a fat boy adjustable. I also love the look of the red tip super speed which I understand was designed to be a little more aggressive. But I am curious how the red tip would compare in agressiveness (or efficiency if you prefer!) to my weapon of choice, the NEW. Also how does it compare to the higher settings on an adjustable?

What say ye, wet shaving veterans?

And thanks in advance!

 

[Jordy]

The red tip offers a very smooth but aggressive shave, Its comparable to the Gillette # 16 without the heft, The red-tip shaves better I find then the Black tip or the Blue tip, But thats just me, Im sure one of the Shaving Gurus will step in and help you a little further but you cant go wrong with a red tip they shave great and they are easily available. Enjoy.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Red Tips are nice shavers, they are pretty Awesome, I think there the heaviest of the color tip razors and flair tip razors? I have Several of them in My Collection and until recently i got a user grade and gave it a shot, glad i did.

 

[Mick]

You will find the red tip milder than the NEW long comb.

It is a nice razor and if you are going to have a Gillette TTO in your bag of tools the red tip is one that you should consider.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

Honestly the "Red Tips" aren't very agressive. They are only agressive when compared to the "Blue" & "Black" tip models of the same thing. The Gillette new will be more agressive.

DD

 

[ironfist]

Its a great all round razor, if you can pick one up for a good price then go for it

 

[Derdonkderd]

I enjoy the Long Comb New (which I used today in fact), and I have one of the older 40's style super speed, which I also use often and find much more mild than the new. I just picked up a flair tip (Silver end, date code A2) at a local antique shop for $5 (they are unfortunately going out of business after less than a year). It is in excellent condition, if it had the box I might think it were brand new (Oh, and the fact that it had a scuzzy blade still in it, a gillette super stainless with an N2 date code, so maybe it was used for quite a while...). Anyway - How does the flair tip stack up against the 40's style?

 

[Dusty1]

I think the New is more aggressive (but not ouch aggressive, more like ahh), but way smoother than the Red Tip on my tough beard, even with a couple of days growth.

 

[wulfgar1976]

I enjoy the Long Comb New (which I used today in fact), and I have one of the older 40's style super speed, which I also use often and find much more mild than the new. I just picked up a flair tip (Silver end, date code A2) at a local antique shop for $5 (they are unfortunately going out of business after less than a year). It is in excellent condition, if it had the box I might think it were brand new (Oh, and the fact that it had a scuzzy blade still in it, a gillette super stainless with an N2 date code, so maybe it was used for quite a while...). Anyway - How does the flair tip stack up against the 40's style?

The earlier '40s Super Speeds without the notch are very mild. The notched version is much better IMO. The Flare Tip is a bit less aggressive than those.

 

[ajc347]

I would rate them as follows (with most aggressive first):

NEW Deluxe
NEW Short Comb
UK NEW variants (#77 / Service Set / 7 O'Clock etc)
NEW Long Comb (US & UK)
Red Tip Rocket
UK Red Tip Super Speed
US Red Tip Super Speed

This is, of course just my experience in using each of those listed above, and the usual YMMV caveat applies.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

I would rate them as follows (with most aggressive first):

NEW Deluxe
NEW Short Comb
UK NEW variants (#77 / Service Set / 7 O'Clock etc)
NEW Long Comb (US & UK)
Red Tip Rocket
UK Red Tip Super Speed
US Red Tip Super Speed

This is, of course just my experience in using each of those listed above, and the usual YMMV caveat applies.

Agree with this assessment but the NEW standard would be second after the NEW Deluxe heads for me.

 

[chongo gordo]

I favor the old 3-piece Gillettes, but picked up a Red Tip and was surprised, I prefer the 1940s style Super Speed. I'm glad I've got a couple TTOs in the mix.
I had a black handle flair tip, and found it to be far too mild.

 

[saintpat]

Thanks all! So would the red tip compare to an adjustable set on maybe 4 to 6? Just curious how much more aggressive I could go with an adjustable.

 

[Mick]

Get a Futur. It will go from red tip to R41 (if you are brave enough)

 

[chongo gordo]

#3 on my Fatboy = Redtip.

 

[Galhatz]

Honestly the "Red Tips" aren't very agressive. They are only agressive when compared to the "Blue" & "Black" tip models of the same thing. The Gillette new will be more agressive.

DD

+1

 

[saintpat]

That is what I needed to know.

Many thanks! Think I'll go for an adjustable.

 

[Batman]

Personally, I think the Red Tip is more aggressive. I can go ATG on my neck with a New...