My First Vintage Gillette! How'd I Do? Tips?

I have a Maggard razor with a V3 head which I love but I wanted a Gillette Adjustable after seeing a bunch out there restored and hearing how great they are.

I picked this Gillette 1966 Slim Adjustable (date code L 1) on eBay for $25. I thought it looked pretty good for the price. Last night I soaked it in hot water and Dawn for a bit, then scrubbed it down with a nylon brush I had. Looks pretty good if I say so myself! I then tossed it in the dishwasher on the high temp/sanitize button. I was going to polish it up today with some Flitz but is there anything else you recommend? The knob clicks well to each of the numbers and the doors open nicely. Maybe some mineral oil?

Before:



After:

You did well. Enjoy!

Actually, there's not much more that you need to do. I've heard that mineral oil can gunk up the inside of the razor. You might just try a shot of WD40, but it probably doesn't need even that. Just do what you did from time to time--maybe every six months or so.

xxvaleria said:

Actually, there's not much more that you need to do. I've heard that mineral oil can gunk up the inside of the razor. You might just try a shot of WD40, but it probably doesn't need even that. Just do what you did from time to time--maybe every six months or so.

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I thought that Mineral Oil would gunk it because it's so thick! Thanks. I can't wait to shave with it!!

Nice score.

Looks great. You did good!

Good work, considering it was made 50 years ago, the razor looks as good a new

I scrubbed mine with some toothpaste and it shined it up pretty nicely!

TimothyClayton said:

I scrubbed mine with some toothpaste and it shined it up pretty nicely!

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Toothpaste! Now that's a new one to me. Cool and minty fresh!

pinkythereddog said:

Toothpaste! Now that's a new one to me. Cool and minty fresh!

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Haha, I know it sounds crazy. But, it actually worked. The internet said so

Put a blade in and take it for a test drive, you did well.

Jnatcat said:

Put a blade in and take it for a test drive, you did well.

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Gonna do that tonight! It's my first shave with an adjustable. Should I just start on the 1 setting?

The only thing left to do with it is to put a blade in it and shave. You did great.

Thanks everyone! I'm still a newbie to all of this but loving every minute.

I have 2 fatboys and 2 slims, they really doont need much maintenance, just soak and clean with a tooth brush and dawn once a month. If you want to disenfect i do a 10 min soak in alcohol every 3 months or barbasol for 2 to 3 min every 3 months. Best razors Ive used so far, I also have used my 46/47 aristocrat that ranks tops with a feather blade. Only use the aristocrat for special occasions tho.

Excellent score. These are great razors. My favorites are the adjustables. Start on about 5 and move up or down from there.

That's a great find!

GREAT choice!

Looks excellent. 25 USD is a steal!

You're good to go, IMO. Nice looking razor. Enjoy!