January 8, 2025
Jillette January
Razor - 1955 Gillette Superspeed Red Tip (A4)
Blade -
View attachment 300045
Soap - Moon Old School Tallow Shave Soap
Brush - Semogue 620 Boar
Finish - Aqua Velva
We're up to the mid '50s with the Superspeed Red Tip. For those unfamiliar with the Gillette Superspeed models, they produced three basic variations. The Blue Tip, Flare Tip, and Red Tip. Otherwise known as light, normal and heavy. Here's a blast from the past for your edification, enjoyment, or just something to watch for the fun of it.
The differences between the three razors have to do with blade gap and weight. The Blue Tip, or light razor, has a blade gap of .02 inches and weighs 46 grams. The Flare tip, or normal, has a blade gap of .025 inches and weighs 58 grams. The Red Tip, or heavy, has a blade gap of .03 inches and weighs 65 grams. While blade gap is a determiner of aggression, the weight, to me, is a bigger factor. The more weight in a razor the more naturally aggressive it will be, and the better suited for heavier beards. So, with an extra .01 inch of gap and 19 grams weight over the mild Blue Tip, it is definitely ready for work.
I paired the razor with the Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless, a Russian made blade and much better than the Vietnamese Gillette yesterday. For the soap I dug out Moon Old Style, a soap that I had trialed for them when they were in early production. It's a fine soap, very nice lather, great cushion and the Tallow in it really stands out. The Semogue 620 boar made it easy to get a rich lather up fast. Great pairing there. For the finish, well, Old Style soap, old style aftershave. Aqua Velva Blue.
Two passes, done and done. Great finish and no irritation or burn from the finish.
Up next is the 1956 Ball Head Tech. And, after that will be a Blue Tip Superspeed.....assuming it arrives by then. It was supposed to be delivered Monday, but the snow slowed it down, and now with all post offices closed tomorrow it will wait at least one more day. It's sitting in St. Louis waiting for the trip to where I'm living now in the western exurbs. If it doesn't show up by then, well, I'll punt until it does. Expecting the Blue Tip and also a Fatboy this week. Have a great Thursday!
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