not so agressive red tip

[John C]

Okie dokie,so...Wanting to rotate through a few of the Gillettes that i own, I decided to use one of my Red Tips this evening.
I've heard how agressive these little dudes are supposed to be, and was looking forward to the experience.
I was a bit less than satisfied to say the least.
Now don't get me wrong, the shave was nice and close, but I ended up spending twice the time and twice the passes to get the same shave that I get from my 1912, or even my open comb Single Ring.
Am I missing something?? Or am I just used to a more agressive razor?

 

[valmara1971]

I have only very limited experiance with other types but I found my RT to be very aggressive indeed compared to my SS or new. As ever YMMV I guess?

 

[T Rick]

Haven't tried mine yet (just got one two days ago!), but I think we probably need to consider it's aggressiveness against what else Gillette was producing at the time and in recent years (namely the Super Speed 40's and 50's style). But yeah, it's aggressive nature is talked about so much here, I think those of us who've not tried it may have heightened expectations of just how aggressive it will be.

 

[CzechCzar]

Put some feathers in it. That should fix your predicament.

 

[valmara1971]

Put some feathers in it. That should fix your predicament.

+1 that's what's in mine as I type.

 

[cfriend]

Okie dokie,so...Wanting to rotate through a few of the Gillettes that i own, I decided to use one of my Red Tips this evening.
I've heard how agressive these little dudes are supposed to be, and was looking forward to the experience.
I was a bit less than satisfied to say the least.
Now don't get me wrong, the shave was nice and close, but I ended up spending twice the time and twice the passes to get the same shave that I get from my 1912, or even my open comb Single Ring.
Am I missing something?? Or am I just used to a more agressive razor?

I generally find SE's to be more aggressive than most DE's from the getgo, so maybe this comparison is throwing you off.

 

[RagingRazor]

Iv never used a red tip, but I just used my Progress on level 7 (thats past the 5 and around to the 2) and the red tip is supposed to be slightly less than a level 3, so its probably not that agressive if your used to using super aggressive SE razors. I like aggressive razors myself, love the old type, I find you can pretty much go any level of aggression on the face, but I have to tone it down for my neck.

 

[Greybeard]

I've never found my red tip that aggressive either. As T Rick said, it is aggressive in comparison to the other razors Gillette produced. Gillette was manufacturing razors to be sold in the hundreds of thousands. Their razors were designed to appeal to the widest segment of the market who were looking for a fast, comfortable, nick-free shave. The red tip was introduced to provide a more aggressive shaver for the segment of the market that wasn't satisfied with Gillette's other offerings.

Gillette then came up with the adjustable which they figured would satsfy everyone (world domination ).

The 1912 is a more aggressive razor. So is a Single Ring with a modern blade since it was designed originally for a thicker different blade.



- Peter

 

[spinyeel]

How can any of you D/E girls call a 1912 aggressive???

 

[Sodapopjones]

I never said it was aggressive the time I did, I miss judged the fact the one I used "E-1" had a bent safety bar
I've always said the Red Tip is my favorite razor to date, just because personally I get an easily achieved BBS.

 

[Above The Tie]

Just to muddy the water a little, Red tips were made with different shaving "intensities" . The "milder" version of the Red Tip has a plan surface on the raised area where the handle meets the base. The more aggressive version has the symbol " + " on the same flat surface or platform on either side where the handle meets the base. I know, I have both. I also, saw one on eBay last night. Hope this helps.

 

[Slade xTekno]

Interesting. The majority of the stuff I read in the research I did before buying a Red-Tip said that it wasn't as aggressive as people thought it was.

 

[jgjoneslaw]

I find my Red Tip about as aggressive as my HD which seems to conform to the rankings on the wiki. Not sure why the HD is generally regarded as a great safety razor while the Red Tip is "aggressive" and for more advanced users.

 

[Luc]

I was disappointed too in the red tip when I tried it. It's a good razor and everything but I prefer the regular SuperSpeed. I know the red tip is heavier compared to a SuperSpeed but it didn't change much in my case.

 

[nmerth]

What!!!! I am running to the bathroom to check mine out!!!

just to muddy the water a little, red tips were made with different shaving "intensities" . The "milder" version of the red tip has a plan surface on the raised area where the handle meets the base. The more aggressive version has the symbol " + " on the same flat surface or platform on either side where the handle meets the base. I know, i have both. I also, saw one on ebay last night. Hope this helps.

 

[BlackDog]

I too have a Red Tip. I do not find it aggressive at all.
I have tried Feather, Derby and Israli personna blades.
I get a slightly better shave with the feather.
I really like my Gillette slim adjustable set on 8 or 9 and a feather blade.
One of the best razor to blade combinations I have experienced so far.
A really smooth shave!

 

[Blondie]

I think aggressiveness is a relative experience. When I first started out, a Tech was aggressive compared to the Fusion. As we progress in skill though, it is easier to wield a more aggressive tool. After a slant, and returning to the Red Tip, it does not seem as aggressive as it did at first.

You have to admit though, it is one of the most kick-*** looking razors you have in your arsenal. That red tip, the shiny chrome, the knurling, the weight. The only razor I think feels as solid is a Fat Boy.

 

[rainman]

It's also not so mild.

 

[rickw]

Just to muddy the water a little, Red tips were made with different shaving "intensities" . The "milder" version of the Red Tip has a plan surface on the raised area where the handle meets the base. The more aggressive version has the symbol " + " on the same flat surface or platform on either side where the handle meets the base. I know, I have both. I also, saw one on eBay last night. Hope this helps.

I'll have to check mine. I find the red tip to be a nice razor. Better than the 40's SS but not in the class of a old type R-89.

 

[spinyeel]

I'll have to check mine. I find the red tip to be a nice razor. Better than the 40's SS but not in the class of a old type R-89.

The Red Tip is but a Weishi,when compared to the old R89.