First Gillette Superspeed Red Tip shave

[Jwb056]

I just shaved with my new 1956 Gillette Red Tip Superspeed and I am super impressed. I am new to wet shaving and about a little over a month in and started off with a EJ86. The superspeed gave me a much better shave than the EJ. It seemed to be a more balanced shave, and much less irritation and no nicks. The first time I had no nicks and no razor burn. I am still new to DE shaving but didn't expect the shave to be that much better. Anyone have similar experiences? Why is the EJ86 such a different shave? Still not getting BBS but I'm scared to move on to a 3rd pass yet, since its only been a little over a month.

 

[mistercitizen]

My experience was very similar to yours. I started out on the EJ DE89. The first time I shaved with a Super Speed I thought "why couldn't I have started out with this?". I can't explain why, but I get a much smoother and irritation free shave with the Super Speed compared to the EJ DE89.... or anything else I've used for that matter. The Red Tip with a Gillette 7 O'Clock Superior Platinum (Blue) blade is probably my favorite Super Speed/Blade combination.... with a 40's style and a Feather being a close second. I remember reading so many guys here recommending the Super Speeds but I was afraid to buy vintage at first because of my lack of experience. I was afraid of getting ripped off and paying too much for a used razor. Now, I've got over a dozen Super Speeds, but still only one Edwin Jagger DE89.

Ben

 

[catherix]

Oh man, I was trying to avoid picking up a red tip because I'm trying to stop any further RAD. But this might have pushed me over the edge. Darnit B&B!! Gonna go glue my eyes to BST now, sometimes those are pretty hard to find.

 

[The Kiwi]

I went to a Flea Market to see about finding a Gillette (long handle) Super Adjustable, and / or a Schick J model Injector I found a second G model instead, and from the same seller, a Super Speed with a flared knob. It wasn't until I was cleaning it up that I saw flecks of red paint on the knob. I still don't have a Schick J-type, but I have three Super Speeds, because I liked the Red Tip.

At my age, I am totally familiar with my several Gillettes I have owned for the past 47 years or so, and a couple more for 58 years. I've seen no reason to buy any newer razors that came after the 1970s, such as that EJ . . the only razors older than I am that I've liked have been SEs.

 

[Xman74]

I am curious how aggresive the red tip is. As a point of comparison, what would be an equivalent setting on a Fatboy?

 

[The Kiwi]

On the one I have, about a "5".

 

[lt114]

The red tip and American Aristocrat are my favorite non-adjustable Gillette DEs.

 

[Jwb056]

My current favorite is an Astra with the Red tip, but the only other blade I've used is derby. I did not have much success with Derby, but Astra's blade was pretty nice! I doubt if I still use the EJ, but I wonder if I wanted to try another superspeed which direction would I go after a Red Tip?

 

[celestino]

Great shavers those Red Tips. Enjoy.

 

[rwdflynavy]

I've gotten two great shaves from my red tip with Gillette Silver Blue blade!!

 

[Deltaboy]

I got to get my Red Tip back into the rotation, It has been sitting pretty in a Shave Mug this summer.

 

[Rivguy]

The red tip and American Aristocrat are my favorite non-adjustable Gillette DEs.

I agree with Lucas, these are really fine razors and get used regularly. For me, they provide consistently fine and comfortable shaves.

Regards,

Doug