What about these Superspeed Red Tips?

**steppenwolph** · 03-07-2008, 11:22 AM

I just bought one from ebay, but it had not arrived yet. I've read that they are the heaviest and most aggressive of the superspeeds, but not much else. How do they compare to a Merkur HD, for instance. Or a Fatboy set at its most aggressive setting? When I bought it, I was hoping for something like a TTO Merkur HD, i.e. heavy and reasonably aggressive, but rip my face off aggressive. Is that what I'm going to get? The date code on the razor is B2.

**Prince** · 03-07-2008, 11:24 AM

red tips are aggressive, but not a "rip your face off" aggression. More like a 7 or so on my slim adjustable. My first DE is a red tip and I still love it.

**thirdeye** · 03-07-2008, 11:54 AM

I would call a Red Tip a medium aggressive razor. Using my Red Tip vs using my Fatboy on 5, I would say the Red Tip is not as aggressive.
I do like the heft and just let it do it's thing when shaving with no pressure at all.
I think you'll enjoy it.

**theperfectstorm** · 03-07-2008, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Prince

red tips are aggressive, but not a "rip your face off" aggression. More like a 7 or so on my slim adjustable.

Agreed.

It is the weight and solidity that makes it such a good razor, particularly for those of use with big old sausage fingers.

**thirdeye** · 03-07-2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by theperfectstorm

Agreed.

particularly for those of use with big old sausage fingers.

Is that what they are called..???? I wonder if mine are Brat's or Suprasetta's...

**steppenwolph** · 03-07-2008, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the info and insights. I have been expecting to find my new red tip in my mailbox any day now, along with 20 Feather and 20 Derby Extra blades to go with it. Slow mail is a cross to bear. So, what year does a date code of B2 translate into? Is there a Wiki article on deciphering these codes or what?

**haydnp** · 03-07-2008, 01:03 PM

I bought a 57 SS red tip just last week after reading all the great reviews on here (not actually sure why I purchased it, as my HD is the best thing that has ever happened to my face - early stages of RAD I guess)

Compared to my HD I found it quite aggresive and did not give as smooth a shave as the Merkur. It also gave me some irritation which I never get from my HD. Guess you don't know until you try it.....

**Scruff McGruff** · 03-07-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by steppenwolph

So, what year does a date code of B2 translate into? Is there a Wiki article on deciphering these codes or what?

Here ya go:
http://www.geocities.com/safetyrazors/gil_ser2.htm

I'm not *positive* about the numbers, but I think it corresponds to the quarter the razor was made in. I could be wrong though, so take that with a grain of salt.

**bb557** · 03-07-2008, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Scruff McGruff

Here ya go:
http://www.geocities.com/safetyrazors/gil_ser2.htm

I'm not *positive* about the numbers, but I think it corresponds to the quarter the razor was made in. I could be wrong though, so take that with a grain of salt.

You got it. the letters correspond to the year and the number to the quarter of the year.

**thirdeye** · 03-07-2008, 02:20 PM

That B2 would be a 1956 second quarter. A fine piece indeed. Enjoy it...

**WithTheGrain** · 03-07-2008, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by steppenwolph

I just bought one from ebay, but it had not arrived yet. I've read that they are the heaviest and most aggressive of the superspeeds, but not much else. How do they compare to a Merkur HD, for instance. Or a Fatboy set at its most aggressive setting? When I bought it, I was hoping for something like a TTO Merkur HD, i.e. heavy and reasonably aggressive, but rip my face off aggressive. Is that what I'm going to get? The date code on the razor is B2.

I am not sure if you have been using an HD, but if you are one word of warning. The angle is different between the two. While the HD isn't more aggressive, it irritates my face if I am not paying attention. I can avoid it if I adjust the blade angle to compensate for the difference. IF you have a variety of razors you may already do this, but I use the HD almost all the time so it takes more brains on my behalf to keep my face from looking like swiss cheese...

**tom myers** · 03-07-2008, 07:58 PM

With something of a collection of safety razors, I have tried shaving with quite a variety of DE's, SE's and injectors. This includes many vintage razors as well as current Mercur models.

I seem to have settled on two as my fovorites: number two would be my old Pomco slant bar. number one is my red tip Superspeed. By most opinions these both tend to be classed as rather "aggressive" razors.

I find that the red tip is almost as aggressive as the slant but I must be more careful of my technique when using the slant. The red tip will give me a great shave even if I get a little sloppy. I seem to be able to whip it around with abandon wihout any bloodletting or razor burn. I also love the really great grip allowed by the heavy knurling on the handle. Overall, I find the red tip to be a really great razor.

Obviously other folks have their own favorites and that is what makes this whole shaving and collecting these things so much fun for many of us. Even though I have my current preferences, I still find I must try different models from time to time. Wierd hobby? . . . perhaps, but welcome and have fun!

Regards,
Tom

**smoothshaver** · 03-07-2008, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by WithTheGrain

I am not sure if you have been using an HD, but if you are one word of warning. The angle is different between the two. ...

This is certainly true, and bears watching.

I find the red tip to be a little more aggressive and less smooth (forgiving?) than the HD. YMMV, of course. I know lots of folks like red tips, and you may too. Just be careful 'till you get accustomed to it.

**steppenwolph** · 03-08-2008, 03:53 PM

I do have a HD, and I enjoy shaving with it. Its just that the RAD bug has chomped me pretty hard. So far my 'collection' includes the HD, a ball-end Tech, a Fatboy (the crown jewel of the bunch) and the not-yet-arrived Red Tip. In fact, today I shaved with the HD and enjoyed a great shave. I really like the older Gillette TTO razors for their design, even though the HD gives me a great shave, just not with the same style.