I recently purchases a lovely Gillette red tip. Now, I'm a user, not a collector, and I want to get a smooth face feeling. To me that means close to BBS with a near drama free experience - minimal nicks, pain, blade feel etc. I was previously using a Rockwell 6c on plate 4 or 5 with great results but the razor was too good - it was boring! And it was big and heavy; esthetically not my cup of tea. Did a one day transition shave with a 53 super speed with a new 7 0'clock and the next day used the RT and killed my face. Cuts pain irritation etc. Yes I skin stretch with facial movements and pulling and use a thick lather and good prep. Kept shaving with the red tip until I solved the issue. What did I learn and what can some of you learn from my experience? 1. The red tip is a head heavy razor. I was pressing too hard after using the super speed and the rockwell. Even though the rockwell is a heavy razor it is so smooth it much more forgiving with pressure. 2. I had always used fast short razor strokes. I decided to slow down and lengthen my movements and that made quite a difference in cutting efficiency. 3. Held the razor lightly and used the weight of the RT head to do the cutting; si if you have a heavy razor keep this advice in mind. 4. Although this advice isn't something I just learned I can say that many razors like the tto's and others have a wide range of cutting efficiency and that if someone needs to buff they can hold a ss, rt , slim or old type more steeply ( the razor more straight up and down) to go over an area with less irritation. Anyway after several red tip shaves now with gillette 7'0clock and astra sp blades I am getting near perfect bbs or close to bbs shaves with a new razor and the shaves are as good as I have ever had with any razor.
I enjoy my '55 Red Tip for much the same reason. Mild razors tend to have a smaller sweet spot because of less blade exposure (or other head geometry designs) that limit the effective range of angle. More blade hanging out there gives the user the ability to tune their shave, along with the associated nick and razor burn issues. Sounds like you've developed and adjusted your technique to compensate for the aggressive nature Gillette intended. A slightly larger blade gap, heavier handle, and a different base plate differentiate the RT from Flare and Blue Tip for a reason. Next time you go on a new-to-you razor adventure, visit The 30 Day Crew and share your insights. You have independently developed nearly the same methods 30DC Veteran Shavers are teaching to New Shavers! Once learned those techniques make picking up most any style of razor a shorter learning curve.
Thanks. I think the slower shave stroke was quite important for me. I only used the SS for a short transition time. If I had gone to my old I would have known to use a light stroke but the red tip was new and I wasn't thinking so the real lesson for people is - it's probably not the razor - it's you and your need to adapt your technique!
Gillette did a good job making the Reds handle more textured. If you consider touching up the paint on the knob, check at Dollar Tree type stores for correct or close fingernail polish. I haven't done mine yet, but I found the match.
There's a temptation to post a picture of my spotted Red Tip and its severe case of dezincification. Instead, however, I'll go with a link to my original post: https://theshaveden.com/forums/thre...el-corrosion-and-brassing.59512/#post-1424575
had a red tip, it bit me good, so i sold it, i haven t experienced that with any of my other gillettes so far..even my hd rocket. old types..well,maybe. but my technique wasn t as good then. i still like the mid mild gillettes the most..
I guess that I stand alone thinking that my Red Tip isn't all that aggressive...when compared to my '08 Old Type, '40 Milord Tech, 2011 R41...
Indeed, I have been bitten by my mildest razor, the Feather AS-D2. Which, is why I always say, it's not the razor that shaves you it's the blade.
I love my Red Tip. It's a really smooth shaver. This little beauty was a generous gift from @Douglas Carey.
Honestly, I had been intimidated by the thought of a Red Tip before actually using one. I tend toward milder razors and never take the Fatboy above '5', so I was a bit leery of the "aggressive" nature of the Red Tip. After I used one, my reaction was more one of "That's it? I was afraid of this?" Frankly, if you've used a Gillette Adjustable at anything above '4', the Red Tip is cake. IMHO, YMMV, not valid in the states of Wyoming or confusion.
For Gillettes, the one that overall has the most going for it, for me, is still the President...build quality, balance, shave quality and looks. Then the Ranger Tech or '48 Super Speed (whatever it's called, Ari Jr? they shave the same...amazingly). Third place was the RT, due to quality of shave and (especially) the knurling, but once I tried the '32 Tech, it's now a two way tie for 3rd. Still, the RT is easily in the top 5.
No, you don't. I never even thought it felt substantially different from any other superspeed. Ditto.
There is a reason Gillette used the blood red colour in it's in the tip. You're warned each time you pick it up !! Sent from my MI MAX using Tapatalk
My RT was the best thing to ever happen to my technique. Whatever the reality is, the reputation tricked me into one of the most focused and present shaves I've had since my first shave with a DE. I got a great shave, and then I went in for the touch up and ended up with a couple of weepers. Overall I was very impressed and am over the hype.
There was a recent post on another shaving forum asking about whether technique can really "improve". I'd like them to read this.
