Advice on Gillette adjustables

**DonOhio** · 08-23-2009, 07:19 AM

Hello,

Just posted my intro over on the newbie forum.

Now that I want to switch to a non-disposable razor, the one I have in mind is (pardon if my descriptions are not perfectly accurate) is the longest handle black Gillette double edge. I guess because it's the one my dad had and I remember hacking my face up with it when I was 15. Also, with my hands I know I'll prefer the longest handle I can find, so here's my question.

On a light to average beard, which I believe mine is, does the 1-9 adjustment really make that much difference?

I ask because I see the razor I'm looking for over on the Bay, but the blue Gillette for ladies has a nice long handle, too, but for MUCH cheaper and in at least as good of shape as the mens black long handles.

With my beard, could I do just as well with the non-adjustable lady Gillette? Any advice welcome! thanks

**DonOhio** · 08-23-2009, 07:26 AM

If a question like this has already been addressed, feel free to just direct me to the right forum (have only glanced at them and didn't see anything similar but may have missed it).

**82R100** · 08-23-2009, 07:32 AM

The Lady Gillette, I believe, has a similar head to a typical Super Speed, which was Gillette's nominal average beard razor for decades. It would probably work just fine for your purposes. If, in the long run you wanted to move on, you could always sell it again. These razors don't deteriorate at any noticeable rate, so if it looks nice now, it will still look nice a year or two down the road.

Regarding adjustability, it is what it is. There is a broad range from 1 to 9 and many people prefer that flexibility.

There was a Super Adjustable listed as part of a very affordable starter kit in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum recently. It looks like it may have been taken but nothing has been posted to confirm that.

Oh, and welcome aboard!

- Chris

**luvmysuper** · 08-23-2009, 07:33 AM

The Lady Gillette is actually a very nice shaver, and very comfortable. It's basically a Superspeed head on a longer handle.

The Adjustable would be nice if your getting it for nostalgic reasons, but in my opinion, basically unnecessary.
It's recommended to start out very low on the adjustment settings anyway, until you get your techique down, so if you learn on something else, get good at the basics, you can always grab an adjustable later.
These come up frequently here on the Buy Sell Trade forum for very reasonable prices.

Good Luck

**luvmysuper** · 08-23-2009, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by 82R100

Chris

Chris - noticed here and in other threads - looks like you and I read from the same playbook!!

**Gruder** · 08-23-2009, 07:58 AM

Looks notwithstanding, a slim adjustable may be a good option for you, as well. Arguably better build quality than the later super adjustables (long black handle), with good heft and plenty adequate handle length. As far as adjustables vs. regular TO heads, I'd give a slight nod to adjustables simply because they'll let you find, over time, a blade gap that works best for you.

**82R100** · 08-23-2009, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

Chris - noticed here and in other threads - looks like you and I read from the same playbook!!

It *is* a bit eerie.

**82R100** · 08-23-2009, 08:14 AM

Here's a good illustration of the range of handle sizes in the Gillette range of adjustables:

The Slim Adjustable is #7.

**Mr Peat** · 08-23-2009, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Gruder

Looks notwithstanding, a slim adjustable may be a good option for you, as well. Arguably better build quality than the later super adjustables (long black handle), with good heft and plenty adequate handle length. As far as adjustables vs. regular TO heads, I'd give a slight nod to adjustables simply because they'll let you find, over time, a blade gap that works best for you.

I have a whole line of different Gillettes and even a couple Aristocrats. Absolutely my go to razor is the Slim Adjustable. I just prefer it on the 9th setting versus the other razors so far. I don't have the Fat Boy so when I do get it, it may be the go to razor. I should have my Red Tip here Monday and I already know I enjoy it. As that is the one I used when I chopped off my 3+ year old beard.

**DonOhio** · 08-23-2009, 08:21 AM

Thanks all for the advice! If the head on the lady G is suited for the average cut, I'll do as advised and try one first and maybe trade up later to an adjustable.

I just used the Gem micromatic with a new blade; it's an improvement over disposables but I'm hoping a Gillette with a quality blade will get the angled spots around my voicebox that the Gem had to scrape to get at.

**DonOhio** · 08-23-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by 82R100

Here's a good illustration of the range of handle sizes in the Gillette range of adjustables:

The Slim Adjustable is #7.

Thanks for this - no idea there were so many models! Sweet condition, all of them.

What's that on the end of 5/6? And what's the difference between 9 and 11? (please no one say "2"

)

**Mr Peat** · 08-23-2009, 08:27 AM

My brother has the #11 he found in a furnace. Under the head and above the adjustable setting its plastic. While the #9 has metal.

**82R100** · 08-23-2009, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by DonOhio

What's that on the end of 5/6? And what's the difference between 9 and 11? (please no one say "2"

)

Mr. Peat's got 9 & 11 covered.

5 & 6 are gold- and nickel-plated versions of a rare model called "The Toggle". Instead of a twist to open knob, you flip the toggle off to the side to open the silo doors.

Very expensive, much desired, not terribly durable or reliable, I'm afraid.

Prospero · 08-23-2009, 08:55 AM

My main shaver is a Lady Gillette too. I get very very close shaves with this one with less risk on cuts. Used it with Dorco blades (can't recommend it), Derby's (can't recommend it), Red Personna (works great) and got by chance a package of Gillette Platinum blades on our holiday last week. The combination between the Gillette Lady and the Gillette Platinum blades are superb !!! Next week I get some 7 o'clock Gillette blades and some Feathers to try out. Anyway, can recommend the Gillette lady as a shaver with long handle. No black handle though!

**Rufust445** · 08-23-2009, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Peat

My brother has the #11 he found in a furnace. Under the head and above the adjustable setting its plastic. While the #9 has metal.

Besides the plastic blade support, the doors and other metal parts of the head are made from thinner stock. #11 is lighter than the earlier models. They were made this way from 1977 until the end, which I've read is anywhere from 1986 to 1993.

**DonOhio** · 08-23-2009, 02:28 PM

Was out browsing antique malls today and found many flip top and three piece razors, plus lots of very old blades in original packaging. Found only one Gillette with silo doors, though. It was not an adjustible so I assume it predates the ones above? Could have gotten it for less than $5...needed cleaning but the mechanics seemed to work fine. I'd already bought a nice gold 3 piece Gillette at another shop so I left it lay.

Thank you for the rundown on the above razors.

EDIT: the Super Speed I saw today is the first one pictured in the guide posted by AsylumGuido (not nearlly as shiny, though); apparently it's an early SS, if not the earliest. May have to go fetch it next weekend.

**82R100** · 08-23-2009, 02:41 PM

Good Lord! Where do you live anyway?

There are people here that can visit dozens of shops without a single safety razor found, never mind one under $25.

You don't have to give GPS coordinates, just a general region.

[Wait a minute, I think I see it now-- it's hi in the middle and round at both ends.]

**Mr Peat** · 08-23-2009, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Rufust445

Besides the plastic blade support, the doors and other metal parts of the head are made from thinner stock. #11 is lighter than the earlier models. They were made this way from 1977 until the end, which I've read is anywhere from 1986 to 1993.

Obviously the more metal you have, the more it should weigh. I hope that is a given and didn't need to explain that part of it. I can say this about the #11 one my brother has. It feels cheap and flimsy which backs up what you have said about the head is made from a thinner stock. But it did shave his face pretty smooth with a Red Personna blade.

**DonOhio** · 08-23-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by 82R100

Good Lord! Where do you live anyway?

There are people here that can visit dozens of shops without a single safety razor found, never mind one under $25.

You don't have to give GPS coordinates, just a general region.

[Wait a minute, I think I see it now-- it's hi in the middle and round at both ends.]

There are 3 antique malls in/near Springfield, the small city I live near...the biggest mall is known nationwide, so they say, and in fact they're always packed. Not uncommon to see Japanese tourists and out of state plates in the lot. Naturally, being the most picked over, it had the least amount of razors of all. Tons of old straight razors, but few safeties.

The other two malls, just a couple miles away from this one, is where I found most of what I saw today, including the old SS.