Gillette Slim Handle Adjustable

[Scorpio]

This is my favorite razor..I have 4 and 2 Fat Boys. I like the weight and balance of this razor. It does give that head heavy feeling that allows you to let the razor do the shaving without pressure. The handle length is just right not too long not too short. This razor is of the same quality as it's older brother, it is extremely well made and they can be found easily. They are very affordable, you can find them between $10 to $20. And as low as $1.00!!!! I did. I like the fact that I can adjust the blade to my comfort level, a feature I find appealing since I have 6 adjustables. I consistently achieve great shaves with the Slim. This is my daily razor.

Rafael

[Gatorade]

I can't tell you how much I like this razor. I gave it a 10 accross the board with the exception of price and even there you can still get some great deals. The reason I didn't rate it a 10 is that when they are new in the box the price goes through the roof as you also get collectors in the game as well. I like the slim better than the HD as it has better balance, a longer handle lets me grab it lower. How easy can it be to change the settings and the blades! It can be as tame as you like or agressive to the point that you would think a str8 would be tamer! I have bought, refurbished and sold dozens of these and very few clean up great. The nickel is hardly ever corroded and if you follow a good cleaning routine you can get one of these really cheap and have something to pass down to another generation. You could buy one of these when you are 15 and not use another razor till you are in a box and then pass it on to your heirs, they are that durrable.

[tryphon]

My favorite adjustable. Actually, my favorire razor. Not as impressively made as the Fat Boy that preceded it, but this razor feels better balanced to me. I used a Fat Boy until I tried the Slim: this gives me the best shave of any razor. I use it set to 3 most of the time: no nicks, BBS shaves.
The head fits under my nose, the adjusment ring operates smoothly and reliably and the textured grip is so good that Merkur shoud have copied for their Futur adjustable.
If you are looking for a reliable, effective and user-friendly adjustable: get this razor!

[russellnyc]

This is the 1962 Gilette slim adjustable that I inherited from my grandfather and held onto for 10 years before I had any idea it was a usable implement. Afterwards, it was my first DE shaver, and remains in my rotation even though I'm primarily a straight razor shaver nowadays. I've tried it with a few cheapo blades before settling happily on merkur platinums. I get a slightly rougher shave with this than I do with my other DE, a Merkur 1904, but it is still always good, and can be better when I focus all my attention on the task at hand.

[htownmmm]

A very nice razor overall- it would be perfect if its handle were as thick as the Fatboy ( but then it wouldn't be a slim, now would it?).

I bought one for under $20 with shipping included.


You cannot go wrong with this one!


Marty

[jduffy]

I've been shaving with the Slim after using the Fat Boy, the Tech, and the Merkur Classic Long Handle for quite awhile now and I have to say that the Slim is one fine shaving tool.

The Fat Boy had become my weapon of choice in the war against whiskers and it had been performing admirably with Israeli, Derbys, and Feather blades. I'd thought that there were no other razors out there that had the same sense of balance and performance. The heft of the Fat Boy was getting a lot of the credit. So simple to let the razor do the work. Great shaves and I thought I couldn't do much better.

Then I remembered one day that I had bought a Slim and thought it might be time to give it another try. It didn't impress me that much the first time out. Well a new Feather blade, some C&E Sweet Almond Oil Cream and I was ready to go with the Slim. The first three sweeps of the blade and I was amazed. I could hear the whiskers popping and it felt like the blade was barely touching my face. Very smooth and irritation free. Stunned to think that something could shave me better than the Fat Boy.

Love the handle, love the head, love the balance. This is one fine razor. It just might be my favorite.

[scruffyv]

I think this is a high quality well made razor. I thought I would like the slim handle but I have large hands and it is just too . . . slim. It does not slip because of the finish on the handle, I just want the handle to have more heft. Overall, I would like the razor to have more heft as well. I have had some trouble truly understanding how to position the razor for a BBS shave, but I think that will come with time. Overall an excellent razor for those who prefer a lass massive handle and less mass overall on their razor.

[Chagidiel]

A very good razor. I have a couple of them and they are my absolute favourite razor. My "common" daily shaver.. Perfectly balanced and with the adjustability its possible to get it to do things your way.. Still rather good prices on eBay. Functionability is around 100% Quality-wise is not to much to discuss - most of them are from the 60s and still in very good condition...

If you need a good, proper shaver - go for the slim adjustable.

[joelmaners]

This razor has outstanding balance. I like the heft of the Fat Boy but the Slim has a slightly longer handle and a little more weight in the head that gives you a little more control. It also feels a little more maneuverable than the Fat Boy. So far, it's the best razor I've used.

[Mottern Man]

Wow, do I love this razor. Only problem if it’s your first adjustable it may be hard to figure out but once you get it (took me 2 days) it is great! I would stop my RAD here but well all know why I can't.

As for the Price I got mine for 16 dollars off Sparky (Michael) but you may have to look hard to get a sweet deal like that.

[Greatgoo]

I was using the Merkur Classic before this bad boy. I turned the slim to 7 and was slicing through whisker like a hot knife through butter. So much better then the Merkur Classic in my opinion.


I find it funny that they call this razor "slim" because there is really nothing slim about it. Its fat and heavy, with great balance. I cant imagine a better razor!

[SilkySmooth]

This is now my go to razor. I had been using a Merkur Progress for the last ten years and decided to try something different. I purchased the Gillette Slim Adjustable from eBay. It was somewhat pricey for a used razor, but it was in great shape. For my first shave I tried the razor on #5 and noticed a huge difference between the two. Since the razor head is smaller than the Merkur, it was so much easier to shave the area under my nose. Overall, I had a better shave than with the Merkur. I wish Gillette still made these!

[profipsy]

Just brought 2 of these first shave last night so this may seem a bit overly harsh as I have not gotten used to it. From the other reviews I was expecting a great shave, I was a bit disappointed.

The razor is light compared to my Merkur and the quality seems a bit flimsy in comparison to the chunky heavy German I usually shave with . The adjustability is good but its not a quick as the Progress as you have to unlock the doors as well as move the ring, so changes on the fly seem slow.

I am hoping this razor will grow on and as I had such high hopes I probably paid more than I should have for it (£20) in the UK (but the razor is practically flawless). Si

[dreadpirate]

I have a 1966 that is in great condition. There seems to be two camps of Gillette users; one that prefers the Fatboy, and one that prefers the slim. I like the slim better - but only marginally - over the Fatboy.

Like all old Gillettes:

1. The slim is well made.
2. The slim is not an aggressive razor.
3. It is readily available - although it is starting to get more expensive to buy on-line, especially if it is in very good or excellent condition.

I like the longer handle. The razor is well balanced. It is easy and reliable to operate. The only minor criticism is the fact the razor cannot be adjusted while the doors are closed. A Merkur Progress for example, can be adjusted with the doors closed.

I personally find the razor too mild if set below 4 (9 = most aggressive). At this setting - I find myself bearing down on the razor to get the shave I want.

I highly recommend that anyone who is a shaving aficionado try this razor.

I use a Merkur 38C as well. If you are a Merkur razor user, be fore warned that the Gillettes are definitely less aggressive than the Merkurs. That may bother some users. I for one prefer the Merkur marginally over the Gillettes.

As a possible alternative to the Slim - the Fatboy and the Super Speed flare tip are also recommended. The Super Speeds can be had for $10 or less.

[infotech]

This is my goto razor and the only one that I've learned to use successfully so far. I've tried the Merkur HD, 40s Superspeed, and a 50s Super Speed. Out of them all the Slim Adjustable came out on top.

This has a completely different feel to it than the others I mentioned. When I shave with another razor, I can feel the blade but with this one it's smooth and comftorable like there isn't a blade loaded.

[Limey]

Maybe the most under-rated DE out there. These can be had for way less than the Fat Boys but to me its a better razor. It is very easy to get comfortable with these and I like the longer handle. The only downside is I like the "look" of the Fat Boy better.

[Dharion]

The Gillette Slim Adjustable is a great razor in almost every aspect. My personal experience is based on the use of a Merkur Progress and a black body Gillette Super Speed. By all means the Slim Adjustable is the least aggressive razor of them all if it is turned to 1. And it can bite through your beard just aswell as the Progress if needed (and obviously turned up). So no worries for it being too mild.

There is only one little drawback I could find so far: You have to loosen the silo doors before adjusting, otherwise you could damage it. But that's only nitpicky when you have four/five shaves with one blade and it's as easy as losen, adjust, and tighten.

Since the first use I particularly like the maneuverability of it. Overall I think it's worth every cent, especially because you can get it very expensively. I particularly like the maneuverability of it.

[mesropa]

Well this is my third razor of sorts. I started off with a Merkur 1904 and love the simplicity of it, then I got a Sanguine disposable straight edge and am still learning how to not loose too much blood. I ended up buying an adjustable slim from ebay for $25 w/shipping. I shaved with it today and I will have to say the jury is out as of yet because it was my first day. I was shaving with it set on 3 (working my may up) and it gave an OK shave some places were BBS other places not that well. It was a very strange shave because with the Merkur you know when the blade is shaving your cheek, I hardly noticed the blade on my cheek with the Slim it all felt very very strange to say the least. I will keep at it and I actually hope this becomes my go to razor.

[mesropa]

This is my second razor purchase after having a Merkur 1904. I purchased my Slim from Ebay for $20 wo/shipping. The quality is exceptional especially since it is from 1966 and it works amazingly well. It is very user friendly and requires no directions. Simply twist the bottom to open and close the blade holder to replace the blade. One point that I found annoying was that you had to loosen it slightly in order to be able to change the setting. The grip is very well done. It offers perfect holding ability in wet and dry conditions. The razor can give you a very aggressive shave, but I find that you have to have it set above 4 to begin getting a good shave. The adjustability is very small which is great in allowing you to really dial in what you want. Its balance is amazing, the head isn't that big and the handle isnt that slim so it feels perfect and its not top heavy in the least.
After using it for the second time I ended up cleaning my Merkur and putting it away to be used for travel. My slim is my new daily razor. One gripe I do have with it is that the blade is definitely not perfectly centered. You can't even see it but while shaving it feels that one side is a bit more aggressive then the other. Its however a very minute issue for me.

[SirArthur]

The razor was great when I used it in the 60s. When I picked up the razor and started using it last month it was like meeting an old friend. The balance and shave quality is outstanding. I use a Derby blade and find the shave smooth and close. Gillette made a great product in this razor.