Do I really need an adjustable Gillette?

**kaiseris** · 05-09-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by insomniac

I think the Brit Aristocrats I've tried are better shavers (#66, #21, #15.) I think the Sheraton/Senator are better shavers. I think the Ever-Ready Streamline is a better shaver as well.

Oh, please. Don't make it even harder

**kaiseris** · 05-09-2012, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Armadillo Gumbo

But after exploring every setting on my shiny slim adjustable I had to admit that the joke was on me. Once the novelty wore off I found myself reaching for my Lord L6.

Point taken. I'll try to wait for my 40s SS to arrive first.

**insomniac** · 05-09-2012, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by kaiseris

Oh, please. Don't make it even harder

Don't. Technique is more important than the tool. I shave better with a basic DE89 now than I did with a Fatboy early in.

**Tescot** · 05-09-2012, 10:44 PM

I will talk from my experience:
Got RAD and so now I have lots of DE's. Here's what I found... It's enough for me to get a blade sampler pack and play with a single razor for for a while trying out different blades to see which works best for me, and what absolutely won't work for me. I have tried several razors but I have gone back to my fat handle tech. I actually like this better than my EJ DE89L (which was my "have to have" razor. It's nice, but I prefer the handle on my fat handle tech (yes I do have other tech's too).

I got some advice here about working on my technique, and that has made all the difference in the world. BBS shaves now - technique and the right lotions and potions. I still have plenty of blades to try, but I at least have some excellent ones For my favorite razors I know I can grab when I decide to travel.

I also have some adjustable. Haven't really decided to go there yet. Why? I get BBS shaves and I am enjoying the process/shaves. Maybe someday, for 8 months or so into this, I am quite happy with my favorite razor. Right now it is enough to try different blades. What would I do with all the different settings on an adjustable. Just more options for trying different blades to see what works... Maybe someday...

Hope this helps and... Enjoy the process!

**Sunflake** · 05-09-2012, 11:05 PM

Sorry to tell you this, you don't need one you need two. A Slim because it usually works better under the nose for some and a Fatboy because it's a Fatboy,built like a tank and has wonderful weight to it, lastly because they didn't make em for very long.

**Sergio70** · 05-09-2012, 11:11 PM

If you can get one adjustable in a good using condition (not display or musuem) at a good price, do it. I personally enjoy very much the gillettes adjustables.

**thatsilverguy** · 05-10-2012, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Blondie

I have a slim, super, and fatboy. Of all of them, I like the Super Adjustable the best, then the slim, and then the Fatboy. I like shaving with them. Having said that, my favorite razor is probably by far my gold slant. It is nice to play with different razors, but after all of that, you may very well find that you get the best shave by settling on one razor, and developing the muscle memory and technique for that razor. Use one razor for a month, then switch, get as bad shave or two because you have to get used to the "new" razor again.

Of course, you will have to make the journey and discoveries for yourself...

+1

Right now my "Black Beauty" is the DE I like best. Great when I feel too lazy or rushed to straight-shave or when I'm "cleaning up" a sensitive face. The adjustable setting means that I don't have to reach for another razor every time I want to change the amount of "aggressiveness" in my shave.

**Parallax** · 05-10-2012, 12:18 AM

Love my Fat Boy. I think it's a razor very much worth having. But not at all necessary in the first few weeks (or ever).

I've elected not to buy a Future or any of the other modern adjustables because money doesn't grow on trees.

**chongo gordo** · 05-10-2012, 12:51 AM

Similar. A couple months into DE with a Gillette Old-Type. I started looking at the different three-piece razors on ebay, and bought a few. I found one I liked and have been re-selling the rest.
That said, I think you should buy an adjustable. They just look cool. If you don't like it, post for sale. That's what ebay is for.

**Slash McCoy** · 05-10-2012, 04:26 AM

In order of preference (mine) if you have a Super Adjustable, a Slim, or a FatBoy, you don't need any OTHER DEs. It's 9 different razors in one. If you like a DE you will love a good adjustable.

**likehotbutter** · 05-10-2012, 04:51 AM

Just give up and give in RAD. Welcome to the dark side ^^

**kaiseris** · 05-10-2012, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by likehotbutter

Just give up and give in RAD. Welcome to the dark side ^^

On the bright side, I would be "sorted" with adjustable for some time

**kaiseris** · 05-10-2012, 06:24 AM

Couldn't resist...
Just won an auction for this:

Click image for larger version.

Name: gilette-vintage_02.jpg
Views: 78
Size: 67.5 KB
ID: 242617

**Nova316** · 05-10-2012, 06:45 AM

I told you it was impossible to resist,
I tried to as well, that didn't work out. But none the less

Welcome to the darkside, enjoy your stay

**tattooed** · 05-10-2012, 06:54 AM

The Slim is a great razor. I think before you go super crazy with your RAD, now that you have a Slim get yourself an open comb. Like a New. I think everyone needs to try some different kinds of safety bars before they go nuts over just one kind.

My Slim was my grandfathers, and obviously it will never part from my collection. Its also the only non open comb razor I use. I don't use it every week but when I first started hunting down razors all I wanted as an adjustable until I realized just how much I love open combs, had the one I currently have not fallen into my lap I probably wouldn't have tried too hard to find one.

**likehotbutter** · 05-10-2012, 07:31 AM

Grats on your new razor! Polish her up and she'll be a real beauty!

**JonM** · 05-10-2012, 08:25 AM

Of all the razors in my collection, the ones I reach for day after day are my Fatboy, my Super Adjustable, and my Futur. The others get love too but there's just something about these that give me great results. As always, YMMV.

**The Kiwi** · 05-10-2012, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by JDTTO

I love my slim.

"need" is a dangerous word over here.

About the saving money part. Many of us have been there. I am now DE shaving for 5 months. Have not saved any money yet but I will probably eventually settle on a few razors and I and am sure the slim will be one of them (if not the only one). On the long run I will be saving money...right?

Shortly before I joined, and continuing thereafter, a couple of running threads about "Saving Money" went through, and a search (as well as the interesting bottom of the page referrals we all forget are down there) revealed it was a recurring theme. I managed to refrain from buying anything other than blades and a new VDH boars hair brush my first couple of months, so I saved cartridge expenses then. Then, I visited some Antique stores looking for a Burma Shave mug, and bought some razors.

I didn't find the mug I wanted, and visited some Flea Markets, looking for a Burma Shave mug. I bought a couple of razors. My razor collection went from about sixteen that had been bought new and kept, or had been heirlooms going back 58 years plus, to 22 or 23 (three DE purchases = one Red Tip, and two Techs). Through that point, I'd spent rather little on the items, and not a lot for running around gasoline expense.

It was the MUGS that broke past the cost barrier. In two weeks, I went from two to six, and wasn't finished, not yet. Not only must they be stacked on one another, due to limited space, I have to buy something from which I can steal the lids, to make stacking them feasible . .

Now, back to Gillette Adjustables. Other than the Red Tip, I consider the Slims and shorter of the Super Adjustables to have ideal balance among Gillettes. Red Tips run a close second (counting the slim and first model SA as essentially the same), with the really excellent knurling pattern strongly in favor on those Super Speed razors. Personally, all of the Gillette razors before the Slim Adjustable were simply "too short" for me, and the Slim is just right, as is the similarly sized Super Adjustable.

I think that a Slim makes a very good early purchase for anyone either first entering the classic shaving world, or returning to it after a hiatus.

**takeshi** · 05-10-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by kaiseris

But I can't get out this idea of my mind that owning an adjustable I would have razor for all occasions.

Please convince me that I do not actually need an adjustable Gillette now

First hand experience is how you determine that -- not via polling. I didn't care for the Fatboy. I use my DE89 for all occasions but YMMV as with anything around here.

That said, +1 for working on technique. It's very easy to get fixated on the toys in any field of interest and overlook working on yourself.

Originally Posted by insomniac

Adjustables are overrated.

No, it's subjective/YMMV. Anything popular that doesn't work for you will seem overrated. That's the nature of subjectivity. If these were one-size-fits-all matters then we'd all use the exact same DE, brush, soap or cream, AS, etc. Clearly, that's not how it is in the real world. Just because something doesn't work for you doesn't mean that it doesn't work -- or doesn't work extremely well -- for others.