Gillette Red Tip Vs. Modern Aggressive Razor

[Geoface]

Good Morning B&B,

Sometime in the future I would like to invest in a second razor. Currently, I'm shaving with a Gillette Super Speed Black Tip (40's Style produced in the 50's during the brass shortage) that my grandfather gave me. Having added Feather blades into my rotation, I've been getting pretty close shaves. I have a thick, curly, dark beard, the type of beard that even when achieving a BBS or DFS you can still see the dark hair flush with the skin. As I mentioned, someday I would like to try a different razor and I was thinking a Gillette Red Tip. I like the vintage Gillette's, but maybe there are modern razors that I should look at.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[TacticalPanda]

I would recommend the Red Tip highly. More aggressive than a regular SS and built to last a lifetime unlike a lot of modern razors. Plus it will make a nice pair with your Black Tip.

 

[bemiller]

It depends more on where your interests lie, in modern or retro aesthetics, etc. Personally I don't think the red-tip is a very aggressive razor, more akin to a 34C than an R41. However, if you want to stick with the vintage theme then definitely the red tip is a great choice, of my razors it is one of my absolute favorites (currently loaded with a blade now). Beyond that, based on the little information you've provided and not having a real reason to try a new razor, there are countless vintage and modern options for you to choose from. My personal favorites are my tech (with a bulldog handle), Merkur 37c and Red tip.

 

[deruitem]

The red tips sounds like another next purchase to me

 

[Icarium]

there's always the adjustable razor option
both modern and vintage to your taste
start mild and dial it up to your comfort level

 

[WVUfanMG]

I love my Red Tip. It gives a great shave and looks fantastic too. That being said, I love all my vintage razors, including the adjustables, mild Techs, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with the Red Tip at all.

 

[Geoface]

Thanks everyone. I don't plan on purchasing it anytime soon but I like to plan ahead.

 

[JTillman]

I would go for the red tip as well. Its my absolute favorite razor and gives me a wonderful shave every time I use it. I'm even thinking about buying my dad one.

 

[ironfist]

The red tip is a fine shaver, its well built, has a good weight to it and the grip is an added bonus

 

[RaiserLiebe]

The Red Tip is very nice. Gives me a very close shave, yet is very comfortable and easy to shave with.
If you wanted a modern and more aggressive razor, try the Razorock Little Bastone open comb from Italian Barber. A closed comb is also available.
The price is only $20, and the finish is beautiful. Nice weight in the handle too. The head is shaped very much like a Fatip.
"Aggressive" seems to a a word with many meanings. I can definitely feel the blade on the Razorock more than other razors. I take it slower and pay a little more attention to prep, lather, pressure, and angle with this razor. But it rewards me with a superbly close shave. And I do NOT get more irritation.
My frame of reference is everything from techs and flare tips, to R41 (2013).

 

[santamariasteve]

My suggestions in random order:

Gillette Red Tip
Gillette NEW
Merkur HD
Merkur Slant
Gillette Slim
Gillette Fat Boy

I have all these razors, and I recommend them to you without reservation. The whiskers on my 76 year old face are coarse and fairly tough.

 

[Teddyboy]

For your beard type the Red Tip may be too mild. I would go with a Fatboy or SuperAdjustable, or a modern razor like the Progress where you can dial in your perfect shave (after some trial and error).

 

[chamm]

Is there an approximate correlation between a setting on a Fatboy and a Red Tip? I nearly always max out my Fatboy at 9, and even then, I have to use a 2013 Mühle R41 to clean up what it leaves behind. Would a Red Tip give me anything I'm not already getting?

 

[drawonme]

Probably not, but still a nice razor to have.

Marty

 

[mistercitizen]

Vintage Gillette DE beats Modern DE...... IMO. Go with the Red Tip.

Ben

 

[chamm]

Vintage Gillette DE beats Modern DE...... IMO. Go with the Red Tip.

Ben

Well, that's what the Fatboy is for.

 

[cottontop]

The Black Tip was only made in 1951 and 1952. I have one and to me it is fairly mild. I also have a Red Tip and it is more agressive than the Black Tip. I think you would really like a Red Tip.
ct

 

[Shutterbug57]

I love my Red Tip.

 

[FoamFace]

My dad has a similar beard type, maybe a little less tough and curly, and a red tip gives BBS for him any day of the week. The NEW razors are also quite good.

 

[userzero]

I found a nice A2 redtip online and currently its at RE for a tuneup. I asked them to not repaint the red tip since the small wear just adds to that nice vintage look: