I recently bought a blue-tip as my first DE razor and am still waiting for it to come in, but I see that there are other 'color' Vintage Gillettes- red tip, black tip, black handle/silver tip. What are the differences between all of these? Is there a comprehensive thread I missed?
Differences in Vintage Gillettes?
- Thread starter neilz4
- Start date
Welcome aboard to DE wet shaving! The older Gillettes are marvelous, nostalgic (if you are old enough), and beautiful.
The Gillette Super Speeds of the 1950's were work horses that came in 3 basic flavors:
The blue tip is a mild shaver that was designed for the soft beard (and maybe women's legs?). It was made 1955-1959.
The colorless flare tip is a medium aggression "all around razor" and it was designed for the average beard. It is slightly heavier and was made 1954-1966.
And the Red Tip is the most aggressive. It was designed for the tough course beard. It is slighter heavier and has a slightly wider handle. It was made 1955-1959.
The others, such as the black tip, generally were variants made for a short period of time. But the three I mentioned were the "big three."
I should also say that the Gillette Super Speed goes back into the 1940's. Many shavers insist that the late 1940's Gillette Super Speed razor is the best of all the Super Speeds, and some shavers even insist it is the most outstanding razor ever manufactured in any era by any manufacturer. That is a pretty ambitious statement, I know, but I would not argue against it.
The Gillette Super Speeds of the 1950's were work horses that came in 3 basic flavors:
The blue tip is a mild shaver that was designed for the soft beard (and maybe women's legs?). It was made 1955-1959.
The colorless flare tip is a medium aggression "all around razor" and it was designed for the average beard. It is slightly heavier and was made 1954-1966.
And the Red Tip is the most aggressive. It was designed for the tough course beard. It is slighter heavier and has a slightly wider handle. It was made 1955-1959.
The others, such as the black tip, generally were variants made for a short period of time. But the three I mentioned were the "big three."
I should also say that the Gillette Super Speed goes back into the 1940's. Many shavers insist that the late 1940's Gillette Super Speed razor is the best of all the Super Speeds, and some shavers even insist it is the most outstanding razor ever manufactured in any era by any manufacturer. That is a pretty ambitious statement, I know, but I would not argue against it.
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The black handle silver tip was simply a design change starting in the late 60's, the black handles seem a bit tame for my tastes.
The black tip was a 1952 only razor and was just material substitutions during the Korean war.
The black tip was a 1952 only razor and was just material substitutions during the Korean war.
They actually started in '51. In fact, I happen to have a W-3 Black Tip sitting right here under my monitor. As you said, though, they were Gillette's answer to continuing to meet demand during the Korean War brass shortages. The handles are made from steel or aluminum and the knobs are generally plastic, though there are some metal ones, too.
Back to the OP: Like Steve said, the Red Tip/Flare Tip/Blue Tip range are the only ones where the color really means anything. They were a way to "personalize" your shave just before Gillette came out with their adjustables. Here's a TV ad from that era:
Here are a couple of old SROTM threads that might help you out, too:
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Maybe wouldn't go as far as the most extreme statement, but I think the 40s SS was a superb design. I started getting a couple because the 1947 (distinct from the others in some respects) is my birth year razor, then accidentally landed on a '46-'47 Ranger Tech head on SS handle, then got a 1946 Milord (Ranger Tech in gold) and then my wife dug out her dad's later 1940s SS. Not all exactly the same but very similar. And if I want a really quick, close, effective, dependable, effortless shave, any of these loaded with a Feather blade is what I reach for.
I like them better than the red-tip SS or the Slim Adjustable (which is what I started shaving with). My only qualms about "best TTO" are with the open-comb 1930s Aristocrat and the Senator. Not sure those give a better shave in any respect, but require a bit more attention - yet have a mysterious "something"
. Razors are indeed idiosyncratic.
I'd argue it! Respectfully, of course.
I have 2 SS from the late 40's or very early 50's. They're my most uncomfortable shavers. My tech is the best for me, better than the fatboy, even. About ready to see if I can trade one of the SS for a blue tip.
I'd argue it! Respectfully, of course.
I have 2 SS from the late 40's or very early 50's. They're my most uncomfortable shavers. My tech is the best for me, better than the fatboy, even. About ready to see if I can trade one of the SS for a blue tip.
Your preference seems to lie on the less aggressive side . . . a blue tip would be perfect for you! That is exactly what Gillette was trying to accomplish with these Super Speed variants - the right razor for every face!
Yeah, that was my thoughts too.
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