Gillette Red Tip

[FaceScraper]

Hi, so i picked up a 1955 A4 Gillette Red Tip from the bay last month and shaved with it for the first time this morning. Ive only been DE shaving for just over a month and still trying to get my technique sorted. Well i was very happy with the shave. I used a fresh Astra SP blade, Barrister & Mann Solstice soap, Alum block, Thayers WH and then Nivea Sensitive ASB.

I did a 3 pass shave, WTG, XTG (ear to nose), XTG (nose to ear). I stll get too much irritation when i try ATG so i stopped doing that for the time being. I was happy that i did not get a single nick or weeper. With the 3 pass shave i got close to a DFS i think. Obviously if i feel my face ATG there is roughness but that cant be fixed without shaving ATG. Face felt nice and smooth with no razor burn or irritation.

I definitely liked the weight and feel of the Red Tip.

Out of curiosity what setting on a Slim or Fatboy would equate to the aggressiveness of the Red Tip?

Thanks

 

[nemo]

Out of curiosity what setting on a Slim or Fatboy would equate to the aggressiveness of the Red Tip?

Thanks

Some folks say 4, our wiki page has a blade gap of 0.026", same as a setting 3 on the tested razors.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Blade_Gap

Congrats on the red tip, it's many of our member's (and my!) favorites!

 

[SteveWY]

I love my B3. A steady dependable starter in my lineup. I can agree that Mr. Red feels like about a 4 on a Gillette adjustable.

 

[dcc]

4 or 5 on a Gillette adjustable,but YMMV!

 

[novitiate]

The Red Tip is my favorite TTO. I use the same Astra blade and the results are great too.

 

[utahusker]

My Red Tip is my favorite razor.
It does everything right on my face, and works great with all of my blades(Feather, 9 O'Clock Black, and Astras).

 

[BaritoneJP]

I found one today at an antique store ... dirty as all get out. I'm reading up on how to clean one here on B&B. Excited to clean it up and try it out.

 

[FaceScraper]

I found one today at an antique store ... dirty as all get out. I'm reading up on how to clean one here on B&B. Excited to clean it up and try it out.

Good luck.

I managed to snag mine on a Buy It Now for what i considered a great price.

Im sure cleaning up an Antique Store find can be very satisfying.

 

[BaritoneJP]

Yes, it can be satisfying and frustrating at the same time.

 

[americanarmsdealer]

Yes, it can be satisfying and frustrating at the same time.

Get a can of Scrubbing Bubbles. They'll be your new best friends. You can thank me later.

 

[Topgumby]

The Red Tip is a favorite of mine, and not just for the admirable shaving qualities.

Awhile back my youngest son announced that his favorite razor in my collection was "The one with the Ham on the handle".

Every time I pick one up, and that's pretty often, I smile.

 

[slr31]

I am liking my Red Tip as well. Normally I cannot go ATG due to irritation and bumps that ensues. But the Red-tip seem to have the right level of aggressiveness and I enjoyed 2-pass (WTG/ATG) smooth shaves all of this week.
Today was shave # 5 or 6 with a 7oClock Black in it and it would have lasted more but got tired of it. Tomorrow will be a new razor/blade combo.

 

[Eeyore]

Congratulations on a fine razor!

 

[Red_Oak]

I have a Red Tip and love it....one of my favorite razors, especially with a Gillette Yellow.

 

[Havok305]

Congrats! My Red Tip is a keeper. I rotate that and a Fat Boy weekly.

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Red Tips just look so cool and shave smoothly. I find it nicely balanced in all aspects. Standard Super Speeds are just too mild but the Red Tip hits the spot when I want a quick smooth shave. Personna Med Preps work great for me.

 

[Maxime D.]

I own a '55 and it's by far my favorite razor. It's well balanced, it look great and give smooth shave.

 

[Teddyboy]

Red Tip rocks. I'd say probably about 3 on a slim.