What does the black tip signify?

[baba]

Why did Gillette make a black tip? Who was it marketed for?

I've seen Guido's post and looked at the black tip wiki page, but on the wiki page under the heading of "description", there is just question marks. Does no one know why the black tip was manufactured?

I know some say it was a cost cutting measure, but who did Gillette plan on selling this to? Has anyone ever seen a black tip advertisement? Maybe that wold help clear this up.

Any new insight on the Gillette Black tip would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Baba (Jim)

 

[82R100]

I believe it just represented an end of the run 40's style Super Speed (in the early 50's). It wasn't 'til the flair tips that they offered multiple head geometries with color coding the mix. I don't believe the black tip was offered in parallel with the metal knobbed Super Speed.

Ironically, the black tip came in steel and aluminum handled versions, but you need to look closely (or hold it in your hand) to tell the difference.

- Chris

 

[Shave Cat]

The black tip was produced from the middle of 1951 until the end of the first quarter of 1952. I don't know why they were produced or why their run was so short. Regular 40s style Super Speeds were made until the flair tips were introduced in the middle of 1954. A short run of 40s style Super Speeds was made again in the last quarter of 1954 and sold as a TV special. This may have been done to use up remaining parts.

-Clarke

 

[mmack66]

Isn't the handle on the black tip razors different from the regular SuperSpeed razor? Seems I remember the handle on the one I had being a little thinner.

 

[airplanedoc]

Gillette probably got a better deal on black than they could on blue. so they switched to black for a time.

 

[82R100]

Gillette probably got a better deal on black than they could on blue. so they switched to black for a time.

It's not concurrent with the blue tip razors. They came along later.

 

[garyg]

Why did Gillette make a black tip? Who was it marketed for?

I've seen Guido's post and looked at the black tip wiki page, but on the wiki page under the heading of "description", there is just question marks. Does no one know why the black tip was manufactured?

I know some say it was a cost cutting measure, but who did Gillette plan on selling this to? Has anyone ever seen a black tip advertisement? Maybe that wold help clear this up.

Any new insight on the Gillette Black tip would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Baba (Jim)

I have this repro Black Tip ad from '51, featuring Slingin Sammy Baugh!

 

[Hansel]

AFAIK, the Black tip Superspeed (I just sold one recently) is a slightly modified 40's type Super Speed.

The razor I had was fitted with notches on the center bar to aid the use of "injector" style blades, and had an aluminum handle in place of a a plated steel handle. IIRC, the standard super speed handle has a slightly larger diameter at the base half of the rotating knob, while the black tip is of the same diameter for the entire cylindrical length.

My particular razor had an X 1 datecode if that helps at all.

 

[baba]

AFAIK, the Black tip Superspeed (I just sold one recently) is a slightly modified 40's type Super Speed.

The razor I had was fitted with notches on the center bar to aid the use of "injector" style blades, and had an aluminum handle in place of a a plated steel handle. IIRC, the standard super speed handle has a slightly larger diameter at the base half of the rotating knob, while the black tip is of the same diameter for the entire cylindrical length.

My particular razor had an X 1 datecode if that helps at all.

It does help. Thanks.

I own an aluminum black tip and it gives me amazing shaves. I'm just trying to figure out why. I mean there is a story to the red tip and the blue tip, the red being more aggressive and the blue milder. I know the black wasn't one of those, I'm just trying to figure out exactly why Gillette made it.

That is the first I heard of injector style blades being used, interesting.

 

[82R100]

That is the first I heard of injector style blades being used, interesting.

I believe all that he's referring to is the ability to advance a new blade from the Gillette dispenser of the time and pull it into place, as shown in the lower right corner of the ad posted earlier.

- Chris

 

[baba]

I believe all that he's referring to is the ability to advance a new blade from the Gillette dispenser of the time and pull it into place, as shown in the lower right corner of the ad posted earlier.

- Chris

Ahhh got ya. I was confused for a bit there.