English (Rocket) Red Tip

[vferdman]

Hi, gang. I just received a razor that I won on the 'bay. I was bidding on the Super Speed Red Tip, however, the seller did not have lots of info or good pictures (it was badly soap scummed), so I scored it for a price of a regular SS. When it arrived today and I was amazed to discover it is an English made Gillette. A first for me. It cleaned up beautifully with scrubbing bubbles and other than heavy soap scum layer has no flaws. The red paint is a bit chipped, but that's normal. The finish is almost perfect. I have never shaved with a red tip and never with an English Gillette. I believe they called these razors "Rocket" instead of Super Speed in England. This razor is beautiful, heavy (66 grams on my gem scale) and well-made. I have read that the Rockets are better made than the Super Speeds, but so far I have not noticed much difference between this razor and my other two SS: NDC 40's (notched bar) and '65 flare tip. The handle on the Red Tip is much thicker in diameter, but I am not sure if that's the case with the American Red Tip as well. All in all it is a lovely shaving tool to behold. I put a blade into it and saw the blade gap visibly bigger than on my SS's. I will shave with it next and see how I like it. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about this razor. What I could find on Wiki is that it's fairly uncommon and the picture of the one there differed from ine a little, though the other identifiers matched: there is a roman III stamped in the underside and BRIT.PAT. 694093 on the inside. It also has characteristic endcaps that are different shape than US SS's.

Here are some picture of it.

View attachment 272207









Please comment if you know anything about this razor and what I should expect from it as far as a shave. I've recently tried Gillette New LC for my first ever OC shave and liked it, but could not shave more than a few times in a row without getting razor burn. I did like the first few aggressive shaves I got, though. This is what set me on a quest for a more aggressive Super Speed. I've been using my NDC 40's SS for a while without rotating it out because I liked it so much, but after trying the New I wanted something more aggressive than the 40's SS. I am now using the EJ DE89 Barley Chrome as it seems to have a tiny bit more bite than the SS. I will also be using the New again soon. However, I want a TTO daily driver that gives good medium-aggressive shaves. I hope this red tip is it.

 

[Maxime D.]

This razor is an English Super Speed Red Tip, not a Rocket.
See the differences, the TTO knob shorten and recede into the handle as the butterfly doors are opened, also it weight about 68-69gr.
Still, this razor of your is very nice, great job on the cleaning.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Nice find im looking for an England Made Red Tip, Since i already have the Red Tip Rocket )

 

[vferdman]

I see now. So there were English Super Speeds AND English Rockets? I thought the Super Speed was called a Rocket in England. Kind of like VW Rabbit in US was VW Golf in Europe/rest of world. So there are different mechanisms in the two? In the SS the knob pushes the center post up to open doors and pulls it down to close. The knob stays in place, though. In a Rocket the knob moves up and down with the center post. Very interesting and amazing how many different Gillettes are out there...

 

[Vivasanti]

Wow great score

 

[oakeshott]

Well done on the eBay score.

 

[Maxime D.]

See here, I took pictures side to side, opened and closed.

 

[dtom]

Gillette offered a variety of very well made razors in England during the mid 1950s through the 1970s. The heads on quite a few of these models is identical and they simply used different handles and finishes to create variety and offer a range of pricing. Having used quite a few of them I find they all shave identically but the handles have somewhat different feels. One of my favorite razors is the legendary and much sought after Aristocrat #66, but it has exactly the same head as your superspeed- it just has rhodium finish and a shorter, stockier handle and came in a nicer case. I quite like the fact the SuperSpeed doesn't have a gap between the handle's shaft and the TTO knob- it looks smoother and better thought out to me. If you go to Mr Razor's site you can probably download the original directions for the razor and see what the packaging looked like. Note how they recommend shaving holding the razor at an angle- in effect, making the razor behave like a slant. It took me a while to get used to it, but it is easy enough and seems to work pretty well. The stamped Roman numeral III indicates it is more aggressive than the more common II, and the red tip also indicates this. I'm sure you will enjoy your English SuperSpeed- a really great razor that I think is very under recognised.

 

[vferdman]

See here, I took pictures side to side, opened and closed.

Yes, I see the difference now. Thank you.

 

[Maxime D.]

For the price of a regular SS, its a deal.

 

[vferdman]

Gillette offered a variety of very well made razors in England during the mid 1950s through the 1970s. The heads on quite a few of these models is identical and they simply used different handles and finishes to create variety and offer a range of pricing. Having used quite a few of them I find they all shave identically but the handles have somewhat different feels. One of my favorite razors is the legendary and much sought after Aristocrat #66, but it has exactly the same head as your superspeed- it just has rhodium finish and a shorter, stockier handle and came in a nicer case. I quite like the fact the SuperSpeed doesn't have a gap between the handle's shaft and the TTO knob- it looks smoother and better thought out to me. If you go to Mr Razor's site you can probably download the original directions for the razor and see what the packaging looked like. Note how they recommend shaving holding the razor at an angle- in effect, making the razor behave like a slant. It took me a while to get used to it, but it is easy enough and seems to work pretty well. The stamped Roman numeral III indicates it is more aggressive than the more common II, and the red tip also indicates this. I'm sure you will enjoy your English SuperSpeed- a really great razor that I think is very under recognised.

Thanks for the comment. I really like the razor, though I haven't shaved with it yet. I may grow out 2 days' worth for it. My one day growth is sometimes not enough for a more aggressive razor and I get razor burn. What blade would you recommend, mild or sharp? I have some Shark SS, Merkur Dorco ST-300, Wilkinson Sword and Gillette Goal for mild and Feather, Super Max SP, Gillette 7 O'clock SP (Blue), Astra SP, Gillette 7 O'clock Yellow for sharp. I've been using Super Max SP in just about everything lately as it has become my favorite, but I found it did some skin damage in the Gillette New OC my first few times out with it. Right now I have a 7 O'clock SP (blue) with one shave on it ready to go for my next shave, but if I use the red tip I may stick to Astra SP as a middle of the road consistent blade. Can't wait...

 

[Dipesh]

I have one of these. one of my favourites. When comparing the two (USA vs Brit), the Brit had that extra bite. Leads to a better shave for me.

 

[celestino]

Vladimir, enjoy the razor, my friend.

 

[vferdman]

Just shaved with it this morning. It's a great razor. Shaves very well. Lots of sound coming from the blade. And a different pitch of sound than normal. A little higher and louder. At least that was the case on first pass against the "sand paper" stubble. Consequent passes sounded more usual. I found it to be milder than the New OC. Not sure if it's any more aggressive than the EJ DE89 I have. But that's one shave, so I am not sure. I've been using the EJ DE89 for the past few days to let my skin recover with my acquaintance with the Gillette New long comb. That was noticeably aggressive. Red tip, however felt almost familiar. Gave a real nice close shave with no cuts or irritation. But that's the case with my EJ also. I would have to do a side by side with the two. I could see more blade exposure on the red tip than the regular super speeds I have, but EJ has a bit more exposure, so I amnot sure how it compares to the red tip. All in all a very enjoyable razor and I prefer TTO one piece razors to three or two piece ones. I tend to remove the blade after every shave, rinse it and store it in its envelope with a tear in the paper for each shave it's gone through. I also rinse the razor after each shave and that keeps the soap scum at bay somewhat. Super Speeds still tend to accumulate soap scum under the deck, but nothing some scrubbing bubbles can't take care of.

Here's my SOTD pictures today:

 

[Maxime D.]

very nice pirctures ! Damn I like when razors sparle, is it only me ?

 

[brucea]

Bidding on one now. Now I need to check from what side of the pond its from. Either way I plan to get a red tip soon.Can't wait to try one

 

[vferdman]

I wonder how a Red Tip compares to a Fat Boy set to a number that closely matches the Red Tip's blade gap. Fat Boy and Super Speeds seem very similar in design. The adjustment seems only to change the blade exposure, but not the angle. Kind of like shimming a blade in a non-adjustable super speed. Anyone out there ever compared the Red Tip to a Fat boy or a Slim for that matter? I know people compare the red tip to a 40's Aristocrat, but what about the Fat Boy or a Slim? Anyone? I've never shaved with an adjustable yet. Gillette or other.

 

[lt114]

I wonder how a Red Tip compares to a Fat Boy set to a number that closely matches the Red Tip's blade gap. Fat Boy and Super Speeds seem very similar in design. The adjustment seems only to change the blade exposure, but not the angle. Kind of like shimming a blade in a non-adjustable super speed. Anyone out there ever compared the Red Tip to a Fat boy or a Slim for that matter? I know people compare the red tip to a 40's Aristocrat, but what about the Fat Boy or a Slim? Anyone? I've never shaved with an adjustable yet. Gillette or other.

I would say the Red Tip is equivalent of a FB set to 4 or 5.

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Nice looking razor, it has a bigger blade gap than it's American cousin.

 

[vferdman]

very nice pirctures ! Damn I like when razors sparle, is it only me ?

I like them shiny too. I am sure we are not alone on this. Having said that, my daily drivers usually get a coat of soap scum on them before I clean them up. This is especially true of TTO razors which are hard to clean under the head with just wiping with towel. Three piece razors get a wash and a towel every shave and stay pretty clean.