Once again I’m referring to a thread from a shaving forum – this time one where the images have been lost, despite being critical to the thread!
Fortunately I’ve tracked down the images and have recreated this reference on the wonderful Gillette Rockets below.
With acknowledgement to user ‘MTgrayling‘ who pulled this all together in the first place.
[This is Part Three of this post, see Part One here]
Flare Tip Rockets
#13: The Flare Tip Rocket; this is perhaps the most common Rocket and is styled like the Flare Tip Super Speed.
These came in the same cases as the Parat, some clear/red some clear/white and a clear over white squarish case like the late model Super Speeds. Some were marked with a II symbol under head. These weighed 59 grams and have Brit. Pat. 694093 in the blade tray.
#14: Blue Tip Rocket; this is possibly the rarest of the Flare tip Rockets and is part of the pre-adjustable series like the colored American Super Speeds. These light shavers also have the aluminum handle like the American razor and weigh 47 grams. I’ve seen all of four of these shavers in my days searching. These had a I mark under head and the Brit. Pat. 694093.
#15: Red Tip Rocket; this is my favorite Rocket and one of the harder to find. Even a bit more aggressive than the Red Tip Super Speed this was part of the same pre-adjustable series like the Blue Tip. Those with the heaviest beards and those who like the closest shaves seek these out. These had a III mark under head. Brit. Pat. 694093. A heavyweight at 68 grams.
#16: TV Rocket; this is the only Rocket I know of that is Rhodium plated. I can’t explain why but they sure do shine. Perhaps these were made for a promotion like the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports and only made in 1958 like the TV Special. No one knows for sure, but these razors are very uncommon. Has the II symbol under head and patent pending or Brit. Pat. 694093 in the blade tray. Weighs the same as the standard flare tip at 59 grams.
#20: Flare Tip Rocket; there were some of what I assume are newer vintage Flare Tips that have either an “A” or “S” stamped under head but only on a single side of the handle. What this represents is anyone’s guess, but these Rockets also have end caps like an American Super Speed. Along with the end caps these had a slightly different lower head profile. Brit. Pat. 694093 stamped in the blade tray, 58 grams.
There are some odd differences in Rockets that I haven’t been able to explain. Some Rockets have teeth stamped under head into the one piece post and side plate unit. I have no idea of their purpose or why they were put there.
