Gillette Black Handle
This is an aluminium super speed and one of the later productions. It weighs around 47 grams and has a reported blade gap of .63mm - at least somewhere in that region. Based on blade feel I would say blade exposure is actually more towards neutral - but given that all my other Gillettes seem to have positive blade exposure I am inclined to think this one does too - but it feels really mild. Only in feel, because it is a very effective razor. This particular razor is extremely dear to me as it was a gift from Mitch @mgweatherly and not just any gift - it is a birth year super speed
This razor works really well and well across a variety of blades. Best shave was with a 7 O'Clock Black blade, but second best is the Comet which I am using as part of One Blade in February 2025. Rubies and Lord Platinum are also very fitting for this razor. Effectiveness on average DFS++ for me.
Gillette Red Tip
This is of course a razor with a reputation, being the most aggressive one from the line of Blue Tip, Black Tip, Flare Tip and Red Tip razors. Presumably the English Red Tip Rocket is even beyond the regular Red Tip, but I cannot confirm that out of personal experience as I "only" have the US Red Tip. Amazing razor weighing 65-67 grams in total. All brass. Twist To Open of course so loading and cleaning is relatively easy - although I use cuetips to clean the head in the nooks and crannies better than just with a micro cloth. The gap on the Red Tip is around .76mm according to sources. Positive blade exposure, but I have not been able to find how much. Mine is from 1958.
The Red Tip delivers DFS+++ shaves for me and when combined with a Shark Chrome blade this gets amped to BBS+/Marble. A Lord Cool blade also works really well with the Red Tip.
Summary of results
Notes
The Red Tip is the more effective razor of the two, but the facial impact scores are lower as well. The Red Tip feels very blade forward compared to the Black Handle and has a certain fierceness to it. I don't know if all Red Tips have the same design, but mine has a ++ sign (thanks Guido @JAHE) on the bottom of the diamond baseplate. Are there different levels of Red Tip aggressiveness? Not that I know of at least. It is a great razor of course and a clear staple in shaving history. The Black Handle is softer and more comfortable to my face - for me at least - and is easily a daily driver. Both are actually, but with the Black Handle shaving becomes autopilot. With a blade like the Comet it is very capable of delivering great results in just two passes with some touch ups.
This is an aluminium super speed and one of the later productions. It weighs around 47 grams and has a reported blade gap of .63mm - at least somewhere in that region. Based on blade feel I would say blade exposure is actually more towards neutral - but given that all my other Gillettes seem to have positive blade exposure I am inclined to think this one does too - but it feels really mild. Only in feel, because it is a very effective razor. This particular razor is extremely dear to me as it was a gift from Mitch @mgweatherly and not just any gift - it is a birth year super speed

This razor works really well and well across a variety of blades. Best shave was with a 7 O'Clock Black blade, but second best is the Comet which I am using as part of One Blade in February 2025. Rubies and Lord Platinum are also very fitting for this razor. Effectiveness on average DFS++ for me.
17.12.2022
Gillette Super Speed • Bolzano (3) • Omega Super Badger 632 • Haslinger Sandelholz
Gillette Red Tip
This is of course a razor with a reputation, being the most aggressive one from the line of Blue Tip, Black Tip, Flare Tip and Red Tip razors. Presumably the English Red Tip Rocket is even beyond the regular Red Tip, but I cannot confirm that out of personal experience as I "only" have the US Red Tip. Amazing razor weighing 65-67 grams in total. All brass. Twist To Open of course so loading and cleaning is relatively easy - although I use cuetips to clean the head in the nooks and crannies better than just with a micro cloth. The gap on the Red Tip is around .76mm according to sources. Positive blade exposure, but I have not been able to find how much. Mine is from 1958.
The Red Tip delivers DFS+++ shaves for me and when combined with a Shark Chrome blade this gets amped to BBS+/Marble. A Lord Cool blade also works really well with the Red Tip.
04.04.2024
Gillette Red Tip • Durable Sharp Titanium (4) • Abe’s Brush Works Saturn Synbad • Mike’s Natural...
Summary of results
Date | Razor | Blade | Facial Impact Score | Effectiveness |
03.02.2025 | Black Handle / Red Tip | Comet Super Stainless () | 10.0 | 8.75 |
04.02.2025 | Black Handle / Red Tip | Comet Super Stainless () | 10.0 | 8.75 |
05.02.2025 | Black Handle / Red Tip | Comet Super Stainless () | 10.0 | 8.50 |
06.02.2025 | Black Handle / Red Tip | Comet Super Stainless () | 10.0 | 8.25 |
07.02.2025 | Black Handle / Red Tip | Comet Super Stainless () | 10.0 | 8.25 |
Notes
The Red Tip is the more effective razor of the two, but the facial impact scores are lower as well. The Red Tip feels very blade forward compared to the Black Handle and has a certain fierceness to it. I don't know if all Red Tips have the same design, but mine has a ++ sign (thanks Guido @JAHE) on the bottom of the diamond baseplate. Are there different levels of Red Tip aggressiveness? Not that I know of at least. It is a great razor of course and a clear staple in shaving history. The Black Handle is softer and more comfortable to my face - for me at least - and is easily a daily driver. Both are actually, but with the Black Handle shaving becomes autopilot. With a blade like the Comet it is very capable of delivering great results in just two passes with some touch ups.
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