Which Super Speed Can Be For Beginners?

I read that the Gillette Super Speeds are the most popular of the vintage Gillette line. Which super speed can be for beginners; the blue tip (mildest), the flare tip (milder), or the red tip (aggressive)

Just to remind everyone one more time I am getting a flare tip super speed either next week or after.

 

Just the plain ole flair tip is fine. Like driving a comfortable ole pickup truck.

 

The Red Tip was the first DE razor I ever used. While a wider blade gap can lead to bigger cuts, any of the Super Speeds can be used by anyone, IMO. Even the Red Tip isn't a murder machine like some would have you believe.

 

There is no such thing as a beginner razor.

The quickest path to shaving happiness is to simply pick one razor and master it. Guys who switch razors early on looking for comfort inadvertently sentence themselves to a longer learning curve and more discomfort.

It doesn't matter which razor, they all are simply a handle for holding a blade against your face.

Shaving is like golf, equipment only matters if the fundamentals are in place.

 

Thanks. Saved me the typing.

 

There are no aggressive SS models, and you're right on about anyone could easily use one.

 

Yes, but there are some out there that say the red tip is aggressive.

 

The key word usually used is "more" aggressive then the other model super speeds. I have found super speeds as a group are not that aggressive.

 

As Fuzzy mentioned above, SS would not be normally classified as an 'aggressive' razor, compared to other DE razors available, either modern or vintage.
NOW to differentiate between the SS models, there is a purported hierarchy of 'aggressiveness' with blue being mild and red being the most aggressive.

ALL are relatively mild, easy-to-use shavers.

This is akin to asking "In the world of hot sauces, which of Taco Bell's sauces are the hottest?" Answer: None.
But compared to TB's Mild, Hot & Fire, the Fire is probably the hottest of the current lot (**havent tried TB's Diablo)

 

You sure use a LOT of them big words. Very good explaination. Thanks for making it clearer.

The Diablo at TB is no big deal by the way.

 

I thought the same thing when I first started . You read how aggressive the red tip razor is and once you have one and use it, you figure out it's not aggressive at all. The key is practice. When you use a razor long enough it becomes easier to use. The red tip is aggressive compared to the other super speeds and the tech but not compared to a lot of other razors. Set your slim to 4 and you will have the high end of aggression for a super speed. In my opinion the red tip is a good razor all around.

 

I think it just comes down to blade selection.

 

My Super Speed dates back to the 1950's and it 's very mild and forgiving. Either I have a great technique or I'm lucky because I get wonderful, close, comfortable shaves with it and I have a very tough beard.

 

IMO- that flare tip will do you right as a starter. I started with a 1958 TV special and over the months that followed I learned about what I liked and what suited me best. Astra SPs are good, inexpensive starter blades. Getting a large sample pack is also a great idea.

 

Thanks for the advice, but as Bama said, there is no starter or beginner blade. Starter and beginner are basically the same thing.

 

My brother-in-law started DE shaving with a Merkur Vision, but now he's trying to get a Tech.

 

I am going to disagree here a bit. There are razors that are better for newer shavers. Just like you learn to fly in a small plane...not a jet. Once you learn the technique and skills needed flying is flying. I would say a new shaver is better off not jumping into something like a single ring or OCMM to start. If you do not have good technique you have to make up for it with tool selection.

 

With the exception of injectors, I personally wouldn't recommend ANY single edge razor to a beginner. Same goes for slants and open comb. But, just about any of the safety bar razors that can be easily found on ebay (tech, SS, Krona...) are all solid choices for novice DE shavers. Find one that feels good in your hand, and use it, and only it, for at least a solid month. Constant switching while learning, and blaming your tools for issues caused by technique, seem to be the biggest reason people give up on DE shaving.

 

I have to agree with Fuzzy. I started out with a VDH and went to an EJ DE89bl. Then I went to the NEW and SA-109. That's when I started getting my other hardware(blades&brushes) in order. All the while working on technique.