Prices of Red Tips vs. Blue Tips

churchilllafemme · Nov 27, 2010

I'm just curious: why do Gillette Red Tip Super Speeds in their original cases sell for about twice what Blue Tips sell for on eBay? I've been following the prices recently, and Blues in very good to excellent condition are selling generally for about $24-29, while Reds are selling for $40-70. Anyone have a theory? I just don't understand why the Reds are that much more desirable....
There doesn't seem to be a scarcity of either.

mark_mw · Nov 27, 2010

The Red Tip is trendy now, and has a rep for being aggressive - which it's not...the original case doubles the value.

LinuxMintyFresh · Nov 27, 2010

I'm not really sure, but I would bet that the Red-tip being such a great shaver has something to do with it. No doubt that wet-shavers snatching up all the usable ones (ie, non-mint) has driven the price of the cased ones up.

I'm looking forward to hearing others' insights.

LiveOak · Nov 27, 2010

Part of this is an apology, but there are people like me who love the Red Tips so much that if I see one in decent shape I buy it. I have four of them. In my defense, one was in a jar full of Gillettes that I bought at an antique store. I got two super clean ones for $35 on ebay about a month ago (don't know how that happened). My first I bought at a flea market for $10 and didn't know there was anything special about it. I feel guilty for hoarding.

I have one Blue Tip that I never use because it just feels so light.

LinuxMintyFresh · Nov 27, 2010

LiveOak said:
Part of this is an apology, but there are people like me who love the Red Tips so much that if I see one in decent shape I buy it. I have four of them. In my defense, one was in a jar full of Gillettes that I bought at an antique store. I got two super clean ones for $35 on ebay about a month ago (don't know how that happened). My first I bought at a flea market for $10 and didn't know there was anything special about it. I feel guilty for hoarding.

I have one Blue Tip that I never use because it just feels so light.

You should feel guilty for hoarding! :tongue_sm

Don't worry, really, lots of people hoard the things. They are great, and I would hoard them if I had the dough. If you're feeling generous, though, consider giving one to a needy B&Ber!

mmack66 · Nov 27, 2010

Blue Tip SuperSpeeds are pretty mild shavers and not a lot of folks shave with them. The more aggressive Red Tip SuperSpeeds are used by a lot of folks so they are naturally more desireable, hence the higher price.

LowellB · Nov 27, 2010

Hi everyone. I came across a blue and red tip at an antique store the other day for $7 dollars apiece. I didn't really look at them closely because I was looking for a Slim or Fat Boy. I found a very nice user grade slim for $5 at a different antique store, but I think that I will go back and take a closer look at both of the SSs next week.

luvmysuper · Nov 27, 2010

LowellB said:
Hi everyone. I came across a blue and red tip at an antique store the other day for $7 dollars apiece. I didn't really look at them closely because I was looking for a Slim or Fat Boy. I found a very nice user grade slim for $5 at a different antique store, but I think that I will go back and take a closer look at both of the SSs next week.

That's how the Aquisition Disorder begins!
"I'm just going back to take a look"

LowellB · Nov 27, 2010

luvmysuper said:
That's how the Aquisition Disorder begins!
"I'm just going back to take a look"

Yeah, I'm starting to see how one can easily fall into this disorder. :thumbup:

Laz · Nov 27, 2010

I picked up a nice red tip for $17 on the bay about a month ago (no case though). If you keep looking, bargains can be found.

michiganlover · Nov 28, 2010

mmack66 said:
Blue Tip SuperSpeeds are pretty mild shavers and not a lot of folks shave with them. The more aggressive Red Tip SuperSpeeds are used by a lot of folks so they are naturally more desireable, hence the higher price.

+1 Being mild, and fairly lightweight (aluminum vs. plated metal) they are a little less desirable. I once owned a Blue Tip. While it shaved fine, I don't remember it ever being my favorite razor. :tongue_sm

leonnettoyeur · Nov 28, 2010

Man, now I feel guilty that I was able to pick up my red tip (my first DE razor) at an estate sale for $1, original plastic case (?) with 5 Gilette thin razor blades (marked copyright 1938). It's in really great shape, too.

Brush_with_Fame · Nov 28, 2010

I just sold mine with a case for near $100, which absolutely blew my mind...
I never much cared for the Red Tip, but my friend absolutely loves his. And he's not in it for the trendiness i.e. he doesn't even have a computer

odbonsv · Nov 28, 2010

mmack66 said:
Blue Tip SuperSpeeds are pretty mild shavers and not a lot of folks shave with them. The more aggressive Red Tip SuperSpeeds are used by a lot of folks so they are naturally more desireable, hence the higher price.

so would you say a blue tip is better for a noob :blink:

nemo · Nov 28, 2010

odbonsv said:
so would you say a blue tip is better for a noob

A noob with a light beard.

LinuxMintyFresh · Nov 28, 2010

odbonsv said:
so would you say a blue tip is better for a noob

I always like to suggest a Slim adjustable for newbs. A good rule of thumb is Blue-tip= Adjustable set on 1, silver flair tip= 3, and Red-tip= a setting of 5.

odbonsv · Nov 28, 2010

LinuxMintyFresh said:
I always like to suggest a Slim adjustable for newbs. A good rule of thumb is Blue-tip= Adjustable set on 1, silver flair tip= 3, and Red-tip= a setting of 5.

thanks a bunch ill remember that :thumbup:

mmack66 · Nov 28, 2010

odbonsv said:
so would you say a blue tip is better for a noob

If it is between a Blue Tip and Red Tip, probably. However, I would recommend just a regular SuperSpeed for a new DE shaver.

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Prices of Red Tips vs. Blue Tips

churchilllafemme

mark_mw

LinuxMintyFresh

LiveOak

LinuxMintyFresh

mmack66

LowellB

luvmysuper

My elbows leak

LowellB

Laz

michiganlover

leonnettoyeur

Brush_with_Fame

odbonsv

nemo

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LinuxMintyFresh

odbonsv

mmack66

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