Blue tip not aggressive enough. Good next step?

[joshk]

So my first DE safety razor is a SS blue tip. I chose that because of it's reputation as a not-very-aggressive razor, thinking it would be good to get into wet shaving without risking butchering my face too much.

After about a month, I've decided it's not doing the job. I can get a decent shave after three passes with Feather blades, but it just doesn't seem aggressive enough. I haven't come close to cutting myself with any blade, and while it's a decent shave, it's not close to that BBS shave that I'm hoping for.

Any advice on a good next-step razor that's more aggressive than the SS blue tip? Thanks in advance!

 

[Pike]

Go with a regular SS! If you find that too mild, go with the Red Tip SS.

 

[Pike]

BTW..Kudos for starting with a nice mild razor!! I think a lot of folks jump in with an aggressive razor and are left rather nonplussed.

 

[Crawford Montizano]

Shaving with a Blue tip is like shaving with a zippy sports car. The blue tip was designed for light beard so you may want to go ahead and find Gillette Super Speed, I prefer the 50's style myself. If you want something with even more weight get a Red Tip, which is heaver and was marketed for heaver beards.

If you want something newer a Merkur HD would suite you nicely. YMMV, so you may end up with multiple razors, which is OK around here. Also before you go looking at any purchases read about the razors in the review section and then head on over the BST, you may find a good deal there before heading out on the open markets

 

[DunEdinRanger]

So, how aggressive do you want?

How thick is your beard? How fast does it grow?

Maybe you need a nice Merkur Barber Pole Slant Bar razor? Or the 12C OPen Comb model? You could go all out and get the Futur and set it to 6.5, which is essentially a straight on a stick.

How about a Gillette Slim Adjustable? Those are very nice razors and can be had for much less than a Fat Boy.

Or perhaps a Vintage GEM Single Edge, like the 1912 type models? Now, there is a razor that will give you a nice close shave.

You're probably going to end trying them all, so you might as well just figure out which one you want to try first.

 

[kevtex]

I second a regular Super Speed. There's a reason they were made for so long, they work. Good luck.

 

[Coyote711]

How about a Gillette Slim Adjustable? Those are very nice razors and can be had for much less than a Fat Boy.

I'll second that!

 

[shamus]

The only time I use a blue tip super speed is if I have to shave twice in one day. There are occasions when a second shave is necessary. If you have a formal arrangement scheduled for the evening and you shaved earlier that morning, then a blue tip would be called into service. That would be my only occasion to use the blue tip razor for my shaving. So it might be good to hold onto the razor if you have a schedule where you may have a formal dinner to attend in the evening.

Cheers.

 

[DSB]

I find the regular super speed too mild, as well. The red tip is the most aggressive of the Super Speed varietals. It happens to be one of my favorite razors. The Slant is another option.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

The regular SuperSpeed or a Red Tip would be a good option. The Red Tip is a very fine razor. The extra weight and the more aggressive head combine for a very, very nice shave.

 

[peartree]

I never realized there was so much variation amongst the Super Speeds. How does the flare tip compare? Or is that the same as a regular SS?

 

[maxman]

I started with the Blue Tip. I read here that it was a good one to start with.
and it is good to start. But you quickly out grow the old blue tip.
they look nice in a collection of SS's, but they'll never get used.
Start collecting them. Then you have all the choice in the world
Or spring for an adjustable.

 

[Chester]

I think a lot of folks jump in with an aggressive razor and are left rather nonplussed.

Why would they be left surprised and confused?

 

[Pike]

Why would they be left surprised and confused?

Expecting the mother of all shaves the first try....but usually ending up with some razor burn and a few nicks....nothing wrong with aggressive razors IMO, but why not start with a Tech or Blue Tip?? Enjoy the learning experience

 

[moonshine44]

As has been said, a Red Tip is a good next step. I started with a Tech and a Blue Tip, and have since sent the Tech on its way and only use the Blue Tip once in a while. Currently my Red Tip, my Slim and my Fat Boy are my main razors...

 

[joshk]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I just bought a flare-tip SS in the BST forum (thanks Lucky11453).

If that doesn't do the trip, I'll try a red tip.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I just bought a flare-tip SS in the BST forum (thanks Lucky11453).

If that doesn't do the trip, I'll try a red tip.

You should have said, "Thanks for the TIPS"

 

[shavewithbigelow]

TIPS.....I get it

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Put me in the Slim Adjustable camp on this question. You can make a Slim very aggressive or very passive. In fact, for a fairly new wetshaver, you can feel what aggressive is (7+) on your cheeks and then dial it down to a 2 or 3 for the trouble spots.

 

[Pioneer]

I agree with the Slim voters but you should be alright for a while with that 50s SS.