Gillette: 1940's style Super Speed razor vs. Red Tip razor

In my experience the Red Tip razor is slightly more aggressive, and the physical razor has a heavier and more formidable feel. The Black Tip razor and the late 1940s Super Speeds shave a tad smoother. These differences are slight, may vary with the individual shaver, and they also may be affected by the brand of blade.

The Blue Tip is an extremely mild shaver.

I honestly think the Red tip is only slightly more aggressive. They do shave very similar to each other. I do like all the super speeds but the mid 50s and earlier have become more of my go tos to shave with.

My red tip is more aggressive than my 1940's Super Speed.

My Red Tip is definitely more aggressive than my 40s SS.

I can mow most of my hair down with my Red Tip in one pass. My 40s SS takes two.

I find the 40s, 50s, and Red Tip to be very close myself. Mostly just handle and weight differences. The Red maybe slightly more aggressive if I did a side by side comparison, but certainly no monster. Any one of them will get me to DFS in 2 passes and maybe a little cleanup.

SteveF said:

I have 3 1940's style Gillette Super Speed razors, and as one would expect, they all look and shave exactly the same - (They shave awesomely!). . . What's surprising to me is that (to me) they shave exactly the same as my Gillette Red Tip razor!?!?!?

Click to expand...

I think the Red Tip just edges out the 40's Super Speed. That said, these two are my favorite of Gillette's TTOs.

BSAGuy said:

My red tip is more aggressive than my 1940's Super Speed.

Click to expand...

+1....I get a closer and more comfortable shave with the Red Tip. I hardly ever use my 40s style superspeed any more.

I have a '41 Ranger, a 40's style superspeed as well as a Red Tip.

Like many above, I believe that the Red Tip is slightly more aggressive than the others with any given blade.

Whether it's due to weight or geometry, I have no idea.

"...the more people I meet,
the more I like my dog......"

SteveF said:

I have 3 1940's style Gillette Super Speed razors, and as one would expect, they all look and shave exactly the same - (They shave awesomely!). . . What's surprising to me is that (to me) they shave exactly the same as my Gillette Red Tip razor!?!?!?

Click to expand...

If your '40's style Superspeeds all have date codes, then they all have the same head as the red tip, the redtip has a thicker heavier handle.

If your 40's style Superspeed does not have a date code then it has a slightly different head than the redtip.

I find the no date code TTO's to be noticeably smoother and equally efficient than the later ones with date codes.

My red tip is a tad more aggressive than the my 40's superspeeds. butttt I wouldn't say it's super aggressive compared to a true aggressive razor.

I have a '47 (no notch) SS and a Red Tip. To me, they are both about the same agressiveness/effeciency, but I find the Red Tip a little smoother. Could be my particular razors or some peculiarity with my face. Both razors are fun to shave with, however I do prefer the heft and thickness of the Red Tip.