I see on the Bay that Red Tips now seem to be getting even more than the adjustables, both Slims and Fat-Boys. I've seen their shaves extolled here (which was why I was looking for one), but I've seen mighty nice things said about Techs and 40's Super Speeds and others, and they still seem to be reasonable. Are Red-Tips that rare, or are they just hands down a better shave, or is this a fad (like FatBoys over Slims)? ["Incoming! Cover!"]
What is it with Red-Tips?
- Thread starter Zumkopf
- Start date
Id love to know as well =)
My Gillette Infatuation continues to grow day by day...
My Gillette Infatuation continues to grow day by day...
Is it a fad? Perhaps to a degree. The Red Tips have recently began to get the respect that they deserve, therefore everyone seems to want one to check it out. So, I guess that qualifies as a fad. But, some fads last for a very long time. Another factor in the recent pricing is their relative scarcity as compared to Techs and even the 40's style SS's. During their short reign in the mid 1950's they were but one of three Super Speed offerings. The standard Super Speed were produced in much greater numbers while the Blue and Red Tip versions were made in much lower numbers.
As for the shave, I find them extremely close in nature to the American Aristocrats of the 1940's-50's. Their head design and weight are very comparable.
Rare? There aren't as many out there as Techs, but you'll see several per week going on the Bay so not particularly so.
Hands down a better shave: better than any other Super Speed, to my mind. A Red Tip will give a BBS shave using a light touch, without the need to touch up or buff or use any of the other tricks necessary with other Super Speeds.
Fad? Say it ain't so, Joe!
It seems to me, that the E-Bay boost in Red Tip pricing is a fad, the price seems to cycle on a few specialty items, like FatBoys etc, until the market will no longer pay the price. Looks like Reds are on the uptick, but it also seems FBs are getting cheaper.
I recently started shaving with a red tip. It is an excellent shaver. It is now my favorite, by a long shot. Mine is not in very good shape, so I want to find one in excellent condition. I think the prices they are going for on ebay is crazy. I am thinking of posting a WTB For a red tip. I wonder how hard it would be to get one in mint condition for my collection? They are great shavers IMHO.
Got mine (90% mint) on the bay for $25.
R
rainman
Of the 11 Gillettes I have tried, the Red Tip is my favorite of them all.
Agree. I think the recent price spike might have a bit to do with the relative scarcity of the Red Tip, But the fact that they give an excellent shave makes them even more desirable. Personally, I'll take a Red Tip (or Rocket) over a Fatboy any day.
Guido is dead on, here. I'm of the opinion that the head geometry of the Red-tip is identical to the head of the late-40's Aristocrat. It is an excellent shaver. Recommended.
-- John Gehman
Funny thing is, my red tip razor seems to give me a milder shave than the regular flare tip Super Speeds. I don't understand why that is? I tried different blades, but my red tip just doesn't seem to shave as close as my regular SS. There's nothing wrong physically with the razor either. Never dropped, nothing bent, doors open and close perfectly, no bent guide rails or anything, it's in perfect shave. Yet the shave seems to be a bust. I tried different angles while shaving, my Tech razor even shaves closer. Very strange, but true. My red tip sucks.
they should go for more than the adjustables... they are much better shavers!
Red Tips just rock! I sniped mine for about 17 dollars about a month ago. Just before crazy stuff started happening like Repainted in the wrong color red tips going for 30+ dollars like I saw last week. Got my second one for $15 last week. I would say it is my favorite loaded with a feather. As for aggressiveness, I would only put it behind my New Standard (open comb) and my Super Adjustable when set at 9. While those two razors get a little colser with a tad less effort, the Red Tip more than makes up for it in heft, and build quality. Overall I like the experince more, and the red tip just looks SOOO COOOOL!!!
I have many different Gillettes. I love the Red Tip. It feels like it shaves my poor rough beard down to a nice BBS shave. I've used many different Gillettes with the same brand of Red Personna blades in each one...The Red Tip and Slim Adjustable works for me and I am waiting for my Fat Boy to arrive so I can make a verdict on it as well.
I have no idea what seperates the Red Tip from the others, but it just works for me. I'm glad I got to try one before I actually bought it. It made me want it really bad and thus, I got it.
I have no idea what seperates the Red Tip from the others, but it just works for me. I'm glad I got to try one before I actually bought it. It made me want it really bad and thus, I got it.
It's not a new thing, if enough people keep talking up a razor, it starts getting high prices on ebay. Don't forget, the selling price on ebay is decided by the buyer, if we all go on and on about how great a razor is, then someone reading or listening to us will decide to buy one at a higher price lest they miss out on what we are saying.
Anyway, red tips have been going up for a while with some high prices paid not too long ago. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=77600
Anyway, red tips have been going up for a while with some high prices paid not too long ago. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=77600
I like the Red Tip best of the Super Speeds but for some reason they don't shave me as well as the open combs. I used to think the opposite perhaps because of the safety bar Techs I had used but my opinion has changed and the long toothed New Improved and New give me better shaves. The only reason seems to be the head since I have tried the same blades in all the DEs I own or have owned. SEs (especially 1912s) and Injectors seem to be better for me than even the 3-piece long tooth open combs Injectors also seem handier around the lips and beneath the nose. Were gold )Brass?) and silver (Nickel?) the only platings used on the New Improved and New?
The New Improved razors came in gold and silver plate. The NEW's came in gold, silver (NEW DeLuxe), nickel and chromium (Norfolk).
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