I collect Gillette razors and have acquired a bunch of them. I really like the TTO flair tip Super Speeds but most are too mild for my liking. I really like the Red Tip, it's aggressiveness is just right. They are harder to find and can be more expensive than the regular Flair Tips. The first Super Speed I found was my G-3 (1986) black handle. It shaved so good, I ended up buying any Super Speed that I could find at antique malls and flea markets. The second one I bought was a L-4 (1966) in nickel assuming that it would shave the same as my G-3 but look much better. I was very disappointed. it was much more mild and I didn't enjoy the shaves nearly as much. I eventually found a Red Tip and it was perfect. It compares very favorably with my G-3 black handle. I now have Super Speeds from 1940's thru 1986 and have compared them all to my Red Tip and '86 black handle. All are very mild.
There have been three different head designs since 1964. You can tell by the stamp shape of the bottom plate. The bottom plates of the '64 thru, I think, '69 have a diamond shape with sharper ends towards the sides of the head while the '70 thru 3rd quarter of 1978 have rounder diamond ends. In the 4th quarter 1978 the bottom plate changed to the rectangle stamped bottom head plate. This new head design has perfect aggressiveness. I sure wish that Gillette made some of them in all nickel plating. The black handle looks have never been my favorite. Especially the new knurling/ checkering that they switched to for their handles in the early '80s.
If you are looking for a similar shaver to a Gillette Red Tip, you should try a black handle from the period (Y-4 thru I-4). They tend to be dirt cheap and shave wonderfully like the much sought after Red Tip. I do not know how many of you Red Tip Gillette lovers have been passing up a great razor assuming it was just another black handle mild Super Speed. Go find one and give it a try and post your thoughts.
From the left to right - L-4 1966, P-4 1970, G-3 1986. Notice the bottom plate stamp shape and handle texture pattern.
There have been three different head designs since 1964. You can tell by the stamp shape of the bottom plate. The bottom plates of the '64 thru, I think, '69 have a diamond shape with sharper ends towards the sides of the head while the '70 thru 3rd quarter of 1978 have rounder diamond ends. In the 4th quarter 1978 the bottom plate changed to the rectangle stamped bottom head plate. This new head design has perfect aggressiveness. I sure wish that Gillette made some of them in all nickel plating. The black handle looks have never been my favorite. Especially the new knurling/ checkering that they switched to for their handles in the early '80s.
If you are looking for a similar shaver to a Gillette Red Tip, you should try a black handle from the period (Y-4 thru I-4). They tend to be dirt cheap and shave wonderfully like the much sought after Red Tip. I do not know how many of you Red Tip Gillette lovers have been passing up a great razor assuming it was just another black handle mild Super Speed. Go find one and give it a try and post your thoughts.
From the left to right - L-4 1966, P-4 1970, G-3 1986. Notice the bottom plate stamp shape and handle texture pattern.
Last edited:
