Gillette Slim good for beginner?

[Slash McCoy]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Would the Slim be a good choice if I wanted to keep only one razor? Since it's adjustable, I was thinking of getting rid of my EJ and stick with the Slim forever (and ever). What should I look for when making sure that a Slim is in good condition? Are there usually any problems w/ the Slim as it gets older?

Why get rid of it? Keep it for backup or just something different to shave with on e in a while.

Your Slim if it is in good shape is likely good for another 40 or 50 years. But you will soon have a dozen razors anyway, unless you switch to straights and then it will probably be two or three dozen.

[Mark Allen]

I started with the Slim back in February. I just recently bought my 89l from Joe, and I really like it. However, I'm not getting rid of the Slim any time soon. You can't beat the mildness you can get from it, and if you really crank it up, it can be fairly aggresive. I just need to try to straighten it up a little.

[RPTheLefty]

They're most likely two different animals, but how does the de89 compare to the slim? For some reason, I'm little nervous about getting an adjustable because my technique is mediocre.

[The Kiwi]

You dial it to "1" and it just kisses the ends of the whiskers a little bit. I have zero familiarity with your current razor, but nearly 50 years of Gillette Adjustable exposure. The Slim is a little longer, a little heavier, a lot more flexible, than the Flare Tip Super Speed. Personally, my long fingers automatically take a very secure grip of a Slim, or the similar length Super Adjustable, that feels very natural and comfortable. I shaved twice with my elderly Aristocrat recentky, and the first time it just felt odd to me. The second time, I didn't think about it being shorter or fatter, and found a quite good grip similar to the way I hold the much longer Sensor.

A couple of shaves with a Slim, and it will feel just right to you, I'm sure.

[RPTheLefty]

You have convinced me to buy one :)
Thank you all for digging me in deeper into this addiction.

[Cicatero]

Other than that they are just like every other razor out there. Rinse them, dry them and every so often use a soft tooth brush to remove any soap build up. Take care of it and it will last you a lifetime. I still have the first super adjustable I bought back in 1970 and it is still in "out of the box" condition. They were built to last.

Ya don't never earl da workin's?

[RPTheLefty]

Here is the razor I ended up getting. Thanks again for your help everyone!

[rxonmymind]

^ that is a beaut. Congrats!

[mdw15]

Because I would have been flattered to be viewed as having technique considered mediocore, slow learner that I am, and because I wound up in any event preferring a mild razor, or a mild setting on an adjustable, I was well served starting with an adjustable. I was nervous too, but comforted first by having at least viewed and read about technique, of course, and second by dialing the razor (a progress) down to very mild.

A former electric shaver, I didn't know what any razor/blade combo felt like. I figured an adjustable would teach me what I can handle in aggressiveness as no single nonadjustable could.

[KeithTheSnake]

OP, that's a real pretty razor you got. It didn't take long, about 24 hours, to turn from "Should I get a slim adjustable?" to "Look what I picked up." That's a satisfying transformation, I'm sure. Good luck with the new razor.

[Sledgehammer39]

A Slim would be an excellent choice!

[mdw15]

It didn't take long, about 24 hours, to turn from "Should I get a slim adjustable?" to "Look what I picked up."

Anything longer, for reasons other than actual unavailability, is just a waste of time.

[Dusty1]

Wow, that is a great looking razor, enjoy your shave!

[Emcphers]

The main thing you want to remember is to always loosen the silo doors before you change adjustment settings. You must first unlock the blade THEN change the numbers, then tighten the razor back up. All Gillette adjustables work this same way (i.e. all must be unlocked before changing the adjustment settings).

Other than that they are just like every other razor out there. Rinse them, dry them and every so often use a soft tooth brush to remove any soap build up. Take care of it and it will last you a lifetime. I still have the first super adjustable I bought back in 1970 and it is still in "out of the box" condition. They were built to last.

I have always removed the blade after each shave and stored it separate from the razor.

Is loosening the silo doors before adjustment 100% imparative to keep the razor adjusting perfectly? I hadn't yet heard this direction and am now worried I may of been damaging my only adjustable... and the slim is a perfect razor for a beginner or anyone for that matter IMHO.

[Snargle]

That's a very nice Aristocrat (AKA Gold-plated Slim Adjustable). I have one just like it and it's an excellent razor.

[Malcolm Grundy]

Hi, it's been said that the Slim is the only razor you'll ever "Need".

This is true. This is how I started - seven razors ago - and counting :)

Our glossary will give you definitions of all the various syndromes and symptoms you'll catch by hanging around with this bunch of enablers.

A daily chore will become a passion.

You're gonna kove it!

[Snargle]

Is loosening the silo doors before adjustment 100% imparative to keep the razor adjusting perfectly? I hadn't yet heard this direction and am now worried I may of been damaging my only adjustable... and the slim is a perfect razor for a beginner or anyone for that matter IMHO.

It may not have caused damage...yet. However, continued adjusting without loosening the TTO knob will cause additional wear and tear on the mechanism and could lead to premature failure. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

[mdw15]

Snargle sounds about right. I too have vintage adjustables and didn't know about the silo open rule before having adjusted a couple of them a few times each. I don't think I did permanent damage but it makes sense that not stressing the mechanism would be preferred.

I have what appear to be the brief written insructions that came in what appears to be the original '68 slim plastic box, along with a '68 nickel slim. My nephew has all of it in San Jose at the moment; I don't recall any notice or warning about adjusting only with the silo door open. Of course, whatever (usually safety) warnings the government now requires, or that companies now in the absence of government consider prudent to reveal, in those days neither the government nor the companies revealed very much. Still, one has to think that the vintage adjustable troika could withstand such use/abuse for a while anyway. Maybe quite a while. And that after enough time Gillette could handle any criticism concerning planned obsolescence, if any. After all, all moving metal parts in motion together undergo metal fatigue, if that's the right term.

The analogy of these adjustables to tanks is pretty good, although actual tanks break down more often and require more maintenance.

[ERVARGASNY]

I'm not sure if gold Slims were ever made. There's a black and gold superadjustable. If possible, buy one here and get a good deal and pick one matching your birthyear and quarter. Good luck!

Yes gold slims were made but they were called Aristrocrat They look Really Sexy in gold for sure.

[Cicatero]

{::wolf_whistle::}

Is it a B&B foe paw to ask how much?