Hey Matt, my black actually is a steel handle. Gillette made both. I have both and you can definitely feel the weight difference. Thanks for all the videos.
I bought a 1952 Black Tip for $10.00 at thrift store last Saturday . I love it. It shaves great. The black tip turns smooth and the doors open perfect. Great informative video.
Now, we just need this show to have 2 episodes per week. Don't worry, that's still not enough, because we love your videos and have to watch even more! So, we've gotta pull together a new film crew and get I'd Lather Be Shaving back, to the original weekly show that we all know and love. You and Douglas really taught us so many cool, useful things while keeping it fun and fresh. That channel does a whole lot for the shaving community and I applaud you both for taking the time to film it. No matter what happens moving forward you've got a fan for life, in me.
Love all the videos Matt. There was actually 2 handles made. I actually have a black tip with the steel handle instead of aluminum. I have both and you can see the difference between the steel and aluminum. Just thought that I would pass that along.
Thx for the history Matt. I just bought the 1952 black tip from Razor Emporium as well as a Blue, Silver and Red, 55’ 56’ and 57’. I figured I may as well have the entire set. I know the black tip is not part of the flair set but figured I’d add it to the collection.
Another great video Matt! I recently acquired one of these from a thrift shop in Stephen's City, VA that was very gunked up. I decided to take a chance on it for $12 and unfortunately when I get it completely cleaned up there were a couple of chips and rust spots on the safety bar. Oh well at least it is kind of unique!
Congrats Steven Roper - you're the winner of the Weekly T-Shirt give-away! Please contact us at help@razoremporium.com with your address and size and we will get it shipped out right away! Thanks everyone! Stay tuned next week for another giveaway! - Razor Emporium Team
I have two of these. Both are W 3 date code but they have different shoulders. One is flush with the aluminum handle and the other ones shoulder is larger in diameter than the aluminum handle and shaped a different than the first.
The story I always heard was because of the Korean War, Gillette used the aluminum handle as brass was for what “war effort” was going on at the time. Maybe just myth and urban legend? The people I know with one usually love the black tip though 👍🏻💈
@@RazorEmporium There was a shortage of brass and therefore the price of brass increased significantly during the Korean War years 1951-1953. My 1952 (W3) Black Tip has a steel handle and base plate, the only parts that appear to be brass are the doors and end caps. I don't have an aluminium handled black tip but my 1952 (W3) steel handled black tip weighs 45.8 grams which is still a little lighter than an all brass 40's style Super Speed like my 1951 (W2) at about 55 grams
Hey Matt! I have that exact set with that cardboard insert as well! Mine is NOS with wrapped original blade holder. I also have the steel handled one too. Did this help inspire the Superspeed trio?
Hi Matt- Great video; thank you! You always have great information for us each week and it’s always appreciated. Have a great weekend and all the best!
Did the aggression Change from the late 1940’s model to the Black Tip? Or was it just an experiment to see if the aluminum handle would work or cut costs ?
Ah...I forgot about this one. I didn’t know they had an aluminum handle interesting. I bet they were light. I Love the weight of solid brass. And I know from your videos that the weight of the razor actually Shaves you, without pushing on it. That’s why I don’t really understand how a light weight razor would actually work good. And Yes, my birth date razor is my 61 Flair tip, and fully Brass!👍
Hi. i've got one of these myself, a w model. but in the bottom of the handle, some rust is apering on the.... screw? inside of the plastic. is there a way to fix that? great video btw.
Just in the right moment. I got one yesterday, came w 2 others. The aluminium handle is loose and moves around even the doors will slip down.. I bet someone either pulled it down or twisted too hard..... Aluminium w brass....not a good design.... Is this something that can be crimped again? or just epoxi? Or keep it as a parts donor..... Cheers and have a nice weekend
@@RazorEmporiumYes the did, you can tell the difference just looking at them, the steel handled black tip has knurling all the way up the barrel where the aluminium handle has that smooth band at the top.
I'm pretty sure there is, I'm not sure how to add a link here but the theshaveden.com has a thread titled "Gillette 1952 'Black Tip' Super Speed-Steel Model" that's quite informative.
Nice one Matt. Just curious, but the condition of all these vintage razor's : Do you keep them in a humidity controlled 'vault' or just lying around? Their condition always seems remarkable, along with the additional boxes and info.
I have both an X2 Forties Style Super Speed and an X2 Black Tip (several, in fact), as well as a Y1 Forties Style. This tells me that Gillette didn't abandon the Forties Style in '51 and '52, just cut back production in favor of the Black Tip. My understanding is that Gillette made the Black Tip to reduce the amount of brass and nickel its razors consumed because of military needs in the Korean War, particularly for artillery shells, and thereafter things returned to nominal for Gillette. Can anyone corroborate this? Also, at this time Gillette was making a Tech with a Bakelite handle, and I think they are pretty much the best performing Techs ever. Does anyone know why Gillette went to a Bakelite handle, and why Gillette abandoned it.
Hey Matt, my black actually is a steel handle. Gillette made both. I have both and you can definitely feel the weight difference. Thanks for all the videos.
I bought a 1952 Black Tip for $10.00 at thrift store last Saturday . I love it. It shaves great. The black tip turns smooth and the doors open perfect. Great informative video.
Now, we just need this show to have 2 episodes per week. Don't worry, that's still not enough, because we love your videos and have to watch even more! So, we've gotta pull together a new film crew and get I'd Lather Be Shaving back, to the original weekly show that we all know and love. You and Douglas really taught us so many cool, useful things while keeping it fun and fresh. That channel does a whole lot for the shaving community and I applaud you both for taking the time to film it. No matter what happens moving forward you've got a fan for life, in me.
Love all the videos Matt. There was actually 2 handles made. I actually have a black tip with the steel handle instead of aluminum. I have both and you can see the difference between the steel and aluminum. Just thought that I would pass that along.
Thx for the history Matt. I just bought the 1952 black tip from Razor Emporium as well as a Blue, Silver and Red, 55’ 56’ and 57’. I figured I may as well have the entire set. I know the black tip is not part of the flair set but figured I’d add it to the collection.
This is my favorite razor. It gives me a really smooth shave. I just love it.
This is one of my favorite razors. It is perfect for beginners, almost impossible to get irritation from it.
Friday morning “history” lessons are a wonderful way to usher in the weekend! Thanks, Zac
Missing videos from “I’d Lather be Shaving”, you guys are great together.
Love waking up to these videos every Friday! I’ll echo what others have said - I get a nice shave from my black tip.
It’s that same head again! That’s the good one! Oh and I have that T Shirt and I get compliments on how cool it is!
Another great video Matt! I recently acquired one of these from a thrift shop in Stephen's City, VA that was very gunked up. I decided to take a chance on it for $12 and unfortunately when I get it completely cleaned up there were a couple of chips and rust spots on the safety bar. Oh well at least it is kind of unique!
Congrats Steven Roper - you're the winner of the Weekly T-Shirt give-away! Please contact us at help@razoremporium.com with your address and size and we will get it shipped out right away! Thanks everyone! Stay tuned next week for another giveaway! - Razor Emporium Team
Thanks for this, it's hard to find good info on the black tip.
I like using my Black Tip. I get a nice shave with it.
I enjoy these short shaving history lessons.
Matt, thanks for the history of the razor.
I have two of these. Both are W 3 date code but they have different shoulders. One is flush with the aluminum handle and the other ones shoulder is larger in diameter than the aluminum handle and shaped a different than the first.
I like the Black Tip. I use mine regularly.
Great video, love waking up on Friday’s to these videos.
My Black Tip has a steel handle that a magnet sticks to.
The story I always heard was because of the Korean War, Gillette used the aluminum handle as brass was for what “war effort” was going on at the time. Maybe just myth and urban legend? The people I know with one usually love the black tip though 👍🏻💈
Greenee Guy hadn’t heard that but I’ll have to research it more :)
@@RazorEmporium There was a shortage of brass and therefore the price of brass increased significantly during the Korean War years 1951-1953. My 1952 (W3) Black Tip has a steel handle and base plate, the only parts that appear to be brass are the doors and end caps. I don't have an aluminium handled black tip but my 1952 (W3) steel handled black tip weighs 45.8 grams which is still a little lighter than an all brass 40's style Super Speed like my 1951 (W2) at about 55 grams
Hey Matt! I have that exact set with that cardboard insert as well! Mine is NOS with wrapped original blade holder. I also have the steel handled one too. Did this help inspire the Superspeed trio?
Another great video in the series - thanks folks!
I have one and they are very mild.
Thanks Matt😊 I'll be a Gillette genius one of these days😉 Keep these videos coming, way cool👍 Enjoy!
I prefer the steel handle from 52
I've always noticed that these were never that popular and didn't sell well. Now I know why, thanks.
Hi Matt- Great video; thank you! You always have great information for us each week and it’s always appreciated. Have a great weekend and all the best!
So, this is different than the Flair black tipped Super Speed?
Mark Szorady there’s no other black tip razor from gillette
The black tip Super Speed was just a 40's style Super Speed not made entirely of brass in the years 1951-1953.
@@RazorEmporium Matt, your razor appears to be the steel handle, use a magnet, it will stick to steel.
Always look forward to these. I've never had issues with mine so it nice to know what to look out for.
I have a black tip (X-3) with a steel handle.
I do believe that some have a steel handle instead of aluminum.
You are right Teddy. There was a steel and aluminum handle. I have both. Like the weight of the steel though. But both shave great. No issues.
Love these videos so much info
Did the aggression Change from the late 1940’s model to the Black Tip? Or was it just an experiment to see if the aluminum handle would work or cut costs ?
Great video really like these short videos on Gillette history 👍
Thanks Matt, I never knew about that one,
Ah...I forgot about this one. I didn’t know they had an aluminum handle interesting. I bet they were light. I Love the weight of solid brass. And I know from your videos that the weight of the razor actually Shaves you, without pushing on it. That’s why I don’t really understand how a light weight razor would actually work good. And Yes, my birth date razor is my 61 Flair tip, and fully Brass!👍
Great series! Keep it up. Looking forward to the next one!
Compared to a red tip or blue tip, where does this one sit aggressive wise?
I have one of these razors but when I tighten it up and do a stroke it immediately comes loose. Any idea how or if I can fix it?
Great info as usual. Thanks Matt!
I have the 1951 model is a very mild but efficient razor. I keep it in my rotation. Sadly no case.
Hi. i've got one of these myself, a w model. but in the bottom of the handle, some rust is apering on the.... screw? inside of the plastic. is there a way to fix that? great video btw.
Dish detergent and hot water and a toothbrush
Just in the right moment. I got one yesterday, came w 2 others. The aluminium handle is loose and moves around even the doors will slip down.. I bet someone either pulled it down or twisted too hard..... Aluminium w brass....not a good design.... Is this something that can be crimped again? or just epoxi? Or keep it as a parts donor..... Cheers and have a nice weekend
I see one of these for sale that is described as having a steel handle. Could this be correct or are they all aluminum?
One year in steel the other aluminum.
Isn't there also a Black Tip Steel razor?
siguie not that I’m aware of. Pic ?
@@RazorEmporiumYes the did, you can tell the difference just looking at them, the steel handled black tip has knurling all the way up the barrel where the aluminium handle has that smooth band at the top.
similar to the standard flare tip but black
I'm pretty sure there is, I'm not sure how to add a link here but the theshaveden.com has a thread titled "Gillette 1952 'Black Tip' Super Speed-Steel Model" that's quite informative.
Nice one Matt. Just curious, but the condition of all these vintage razor's : Do you keep them in a humidity controlled 'vault' or just lying around? Their condition always seems remarkable, along with the additional boxes and info.
Hey Matt, do you know if the head is the same as the superspeed? And Gillette just changed the handle to jazz it up!
Yeah Matt just like you said Gillette made the Black Tip because of saving costs. It was in production from 1951 to 1952
What about the black handle super speed?
Ya we need to get back to this series
I have both an X2 Forties Style Super Speed and an X2 Black Tip (several, in fact), as well as a Y1 Forties Style. This tells me that Gillette didn't abandon the Forties Style in '51 and '52, just cut back production in favor of the Black Tip. My understanding is that Gillette made the Black Tip to reduce the amount of brass and nickel its razors consumed because of military needs in the Korean War, particularly for artillery shells, and thereafter things returned to nominal for Gillette. Can anyone corroborate this? Also, at this time Gillette was making a Tech with a Bakelite handle, and I think they are pretty much the best performing Techs ever. Does anyone know why Gillette went to a Bakelite handle, and why Gillette abandoned it.
Oh, BTW, all these razors perform really well.
👍🏼
I think the "Black Tip" looks cool but on balance it is a situation where it's not "as cool" as you might think when you know its history.
I’m assuming the plastic is susceptible to breaking, Would you ever consider making reproduction parts?
T-shirt 😳👍🇩🇰💈