Red tip horror....

[rapperley]

Hi

I've just had my second shave with my new red tip (B1 1956), and have not been impressed. I shaved with it yesterday with a fresh feather, and I got far more nicks than before, and a fairly appalling shave. So today I tried it with a Treet Platinum, which I find to be smoother but still nice and sharp, and was covered in nicks and with visible stubble left over. In frustration I reached for my Feather popular for a final ATG pass, which has tidied it up pretty well (though I was being very very careful given my tender face!) I've ended up with a passable shave (still slightly rough when rubbed against the grain) but my face feels like it is on fire!

I don't understand why this is - I have been shaving for six weeks or so now, using a #15 British Aristocrat and receiving consistently close comfortable shaves (a DFS at least) with only a few nicks - always due to my lack of concentration. I figure I must be doing something wrong with the red tip - my prep is all the same (shower, re wash face, lather with Proraso and get to it). Does the red tip require a different angle to an Aristocrat?

Thanks in advance for your advice! I'm determined to give the red tip a fair try - it seems to be a well loved razor here on the forums. At the moment however I'm feeling like my RAD has been booted out the way, and that I should be sticking to what I know and love!

Cheers
Richard

 

[luvmysuper]

Almost every razor shaves a little differently, even ones with a similar head can be slightly off due to weight, weight distribution, handle length etc.
Try it again and shave like it was the first razor you were ever using, put the head against the cheek with the handle parallel to the floor, then lower the handle till it just starts cutting hair.
Concentrate and go slowly, because there definitely is a difference.
Some guys like one razor while others hate 'em, so when it is all said and done, it just may be that you don't like the Red Tip.
I can say that it positively shaves differently than a President or an Aristocrat.

 

[rainman]

How long have you been DE shaving?

 

[CzechCzar]

I am sorry to hear that the razor I sold you is causing grief! If nothing else, try putting it away for awhile. I found that when I started shaving, "aggressive" razors and blades would cut the bejeebus outta me. It took a good two months for me to be able to use feathers effectively.

I say give it a week, and if no success, come back to it in a month or two. You might find your technique has improved.

 

[raisindot]

Just so you don't feel alone, here, I recently got a '56 Red Tip and am equally unimpressed. Not that I'm getting significantly more nicks than I do with my Fatboy or Slim, but it just doesn't seem to live up the hype as an "aggressive razor." I've gulaged it to storage, and occasionally bring it out when I'm trying a new blade and want a third opinion.

Jeff in Boston

 

[Bobtrumpet]

I have been amazed at the apparent fact that a blade that is good in one razor is horrible in another. In my case, an Israeli Super + Platinum ("IP") was great in my Gillette Tech and SS, but horrible in my Muhle R89, while the Red Pack Personna was horrible in my SS and Tech but (so far) is the best blade in my R89.

You may want to look for a different blade for your Red Tip.

Also, watch the pressure and angle - I had to change both when I tried a Red Tip in comparison to my regular SS and the Tech. I never did find a good blade to work with it, though, so I haven't used it in a while (especially since my R89 is now my only shaver).

 

[Spivey]

I have been amazed at the apparent fact that a blade that is good in one razor is horrible in another. In my case, an Israeli Super + Platinum ("IP") was great in my Gillette Tech and SS, but horrible in my Muhle R89, while the Red Pack Personna was horrible in my SS and Tech but (so far) is the best blade in my R89.

You may want to look for a different blade for your Red Tip.

Also, watch the pressure and angle - I had to change both when I tried a Red Tip in comparison to my regular SS and the Tech. I never did find a good blade to work with it, though, so I haven't used it in a while (especially since my R89 is now my only shaver).

I agree. It's a bit crazy. That said, Feathers work in my Red Tip better than any blade I've tried. The are WONDERFUL in the Red Tip. I can't really shave with them in any other razor, though.

I think (as someone above has pointed out already) that we are most likely looking at a minute difference in blade angle/exposure that has to be learned for this razor. Time will tell.

Good luck.

 

[Lucky11453]

I used a Fat Boy for a couple of days last week. You really need to lighten up on the pressure with that one. I notice a big improvment in my shaves when using a better, richer lather and light pressure, big difference.

 

[rapperley]

Thanks all. I'll shelve it for now while my face heals - as I said, I get wonderful shaves with a feather in my Aristocrat, so I'll keep going with that for now, and come back to the Red Tip later with fresh eyes....

 

[Disburden]

The longer you shave with a DE or SE the more you'll learn how to adapt to different tools when you shave. Someone who is about two months in as far as wet shaving is concerned will probably not adapt to a new aggressive razor like someone who has been wet shaving for 6 years probably would. Your touch is probably still too clumsy and heavy for a more aggressive razor. I couldn't shave with any of my GEMs when I first started, I hated them and they cut me up, so they must have been crap, right?

Wrong.
A year later I have been using straights and learned to how be more gentle with angles and pressures and now the GEMs are all I use, they're the best shaves EVER in my life, including straight shaves. These things you can't rush, I bet the shaves with the red tip would be better with a year's more experience.

 

[Joker]

I am not 6 months into my redtip. I find that when I get in a hurry is when I get it. When I follow the rules and just make my passes with a light touch I get a real clean smooth shave. I like fathers, but Astras are my main blade right now.