Red Tip Equivalent

[pcumby]

Over the course of the last year or so I've determined (through much experimentation) a couple of things

1. I prefer Boar brushes
2. I like Italian style soft soaps
3. I can't find anything that shaves nearly as good as my Gillette Red Tip

this leads me to ask the following question...

Are there any fellow Red Tip users out there who've tried a modern razor or a vintage razor that's close to the Red Tip?

thanks for your time as always

Phil

 

[ThomasB98908]

Been shaving with a Red Tip for years. Get excellent shaves with it also. I'm waiting for my Merkur HD 34c to arrive (today I hope) and will give it a try but probably keep my Red Tip in rotation. I know how it shaves and if/when I'm in a hurry I can get a DFS with it in just two passes. Not sure what comes close to the Red Tip, maybe some of the adjustables but from what I've read here, there are some of the newer Merkurs and EJ's that are about as aggressive. I'm sure one of the more knowledgable with reply and give you the right answer.

 

[Rodeodave]

Blade gap is certainly not the whole story, but it should give an indication at least: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Blade_Gap Haven't tried any of the ones around the .66mm mark, besides a Gillette Fatboy.

 

[MikeGJ]

Slant - modern or vintage

 

[vferdman]

For a more aggressive shave than a normal Super Speed I tried a Gillette New open comb (long comb version). Boy! That was a very close and aggressive shave. Not an everyday razor for me, but it is awesome. I have not tried a red tip yet, so can't compare it to the New LC, but I tell you, if a more aggressive shave is your preference without going crazy aggressive, give the New a try. They are fairly inexpensive and readily available, so why not. However, if you are happy with your Red Tip, keep using it. I love my Super Speeds (I have an NDC 40's and '65 flare tip) for their beauty, convenience (one piece design rocks!) and the great mild shaves they provide. However, now that I tried the New, I am looking for a more aggressive razor than SS, but not quite as aggressive as the New. So, I bid on and won a SS Red Tip that arrived today and it turns out to be English made. This is one of those deals where I paid a Super Speed price, but I saw it was a red tip on the auction picture. When it arrived and I saw it was English (Rocket?) I started looking around and it seems to be a rare bird. I will start a thread about it shortly and in a day or two will shave with it and can comment on how it does vs. the New and the moder Edwin Jagger DE89 Barley Chrome. EJ seems a tiny bit more aggressive than the normal super speeds, but in the same league. Red Tip should be a bit more aggressive than the EJ.

 

[The Kiwi]

Try either a Slim Adjustable or its predecessor with the setting on "5" (I use a setting of 7, and get a closer shave than from my own Red Tip).

 

[P Funk]

The red tip is almost too mild for me but has just enough bite to deal with my beard.
Along the same lines, I have a Parker 92R (also a TTO but heavyweight) which gives a pretty smooth shave. I would suggest more aggressive razors (like New OC, slants, fatips, r41) but it seems like the red tip is doing just fine for you.
You can try out the parker (maybe not the heavyweight version). I've heard their quality has gone up in the recent years. My Parker was pretty cheap, is well built, good looking and a clean shaver. The merkur open combs are also fairly mild - you may want to give those a shot. Don't let the open comb fool you - they are nothing like the other aggressive razors I mentioned.

 

[kingfisher]

Fatboy on about 4 or 5 is almost exactly like a Red Tip, but slightly superior, IMO. The balance is better, the weight is better, the doming of the doors makes certain spots on the jawline easier, and it seems slightly smoother than the Red Tip.

Hold the Red Tip and the Fatboy side by side and they look almost identical, but shave with them side by side and the Fatboy is just better. IMO, of course.

 

[Maxime D.]

Ykmv

 

[Kostas1]

For a more aggressive shave than a normal Super Speed I tried a Gillette New open comb (long comb version). Boy! That was a very close and aggressive shave. Not an everyday razor for me, but it is awesome. I have not tried a red tip yet, so can't compare it to the New LC, but I tell you, if a more aggressive shave is your preference without going crazy aggressive, give the New a try. They are fairly inexpensive and readily available, so why not. However, if you are happy with your Red Tip, keep using it. I love my Super Speeds (I have an NDC 40's and '65 flare tip) for their beauty, convenience (one piece design rocks!) and the great mild shaves they provide. However, now that I tried the New, I am looking for a more aggressive razor than SS, but not quite as aggressive as the New. So, I bid on and won a SS Red Tip that arrived today and it turns out to be English made. This is one of those deals where I paid a Super Speed price, but I saw it was a red tip on the auction picture. When it arrived and I saw it was English (Rocket?) I started looking around and it seems to be a rare bird. I will start a thread about it shortly and in a day or two will shave with it and can comment on how it does vs. the New and the moder Edwin Jagger DE89 Barley Chrome. EJ seems a tiny bit more aggressive than the normal super speeds, but in the same league. Red Tip should be a bit more aggressive than the EJ.

View attachment 272202

That, sir, is an English Red Tip Super Speed. Has a different mechanism than the Red Tip Rocket, but yours is rarer. It operates like its American cousin. Enjoy!

 

[cwlsmith]

Try either a Slim Adjustable or its predecessor with the setting on "5" (I use a setting of 7, and get a closer shave than from my own Red Tip).

+1 for the Adjustable. I have at least 40 Gillette razors, and used a Gold,Long Handled Black Beauty last night and realized how great it was.

 

[sprite]

Fatboy on about 4 or 5 is almost exactly like a Red Tip, but slightly superior, IMO. The balance is better, the weight is better, the doming of the doors makes certain spots on the jawline easier, and it seems slightly smoother than the Red Tip.

Hold the Red Tip and the Fatboy side by side and they look almost identical, but shave with them side by side and the Fatboy is just better. IMO, of course.

+1^

 

[bakerbarber]

A Rocket HD or a #58.

Also I think the Tradere SB is similar.

The other similar shaving razor I think would be is a Big Fellow.

 

[LiveOak]

The 40's Aristocrats are ideal for me...a bit heavier and smoother shaving. Awesome step up from the venerable Red Tip.

 

[pcumby]

Guys
Thanks for all the great input
Just when thought the razor rack was complete!

 

[ALATRON]

I always found the 40's aristocrat similiar to the red tip.

 

[bakerbarber]

The 40's Aristocrats are ideal for me...a bit heavier and smoother shaving. Awesome step up from the venerable Red Tip.

Amen

 

[vferdman]

That, sir, is an English Red Tip Super Speed. Has a different mechanism than the Red Tip Rocket, but yours is rarer. It operates like its American cousin. Enjoy!

Thanks. I am learning more and more every day. You are correct, of course. This operates exactly like a US Super Speed and I was now able to even find an old British ad for Super Speeds in light (blue), medium (metal) and heavy (red). I am excited to try it.

 

[nemo]

The 40's Aristocrats are ideal for me...a bit heavier and smoother shaving. Awesome step up from the venerable Red Tip.

I agree, I just yesterday used a nickel plated (replated) Aristo and was thinking how close it was to a Red Tip. The gold ones are even classier!

 

[pcumby]

I've been thinking about a Cadet TTO as well
Supposed to be slightly more aggressive than the Red Tip
Brass construction for at least part of it

For $25.00 it's not a huge risk