Personna Micrometric (Adjustable) Razor

Manufactured in Britian of 1953 and by far the HEAVIEST razor I own.. feels twice as heavy as the Fatboy. The handle is completely made from bakelite (as well as the case) and the rest of the razor is plated in gold.
What's really sweet is this adjustable razor (unlike the Gibbs) excepts any standard DE blade.. !! So if you're a fan of adjustable razor or want to try something other than the mass produced Fatboy.. this is a must.
Also, I don't think many of these were produced so grab one when you see it.
And that's all the information I have.. so if anyone has some info to contribute I'd much appreciate it!
Oh yea... I paid someone in the neighborhood of $8 for it and it gives a pretty darn close shave

Wow! I want one! First time I've seen one of those, really sharp looking rig.

Well, this is different...

Do tell us more, including how you like the shave!


- Barrett

Interesting post and great pictures - thanks for sharing!

It looks A LOT like a gibbs razor. Or is it me?

i was thinking the same, she is a beauty,

This is the picture of my Gibbs Adjustable :

When I first bought it I realized it does in fact look like a Gibbs with the exception of the bakelite handle and weighing MUCH more. As far the shave goes, I remember it being slightly on the aggressive side.. which I like. I'm still looking for information on this beauty so I don't have any more to add the moment. Doesn't seem too many of these were produced.

I picked up one of these recently, 'before' pictures below -











Well after a clean up of the Micrometric it got its first run today.

A very vintage SOTD

Brush: Vintage butterscotch Simpson
Soap/Cream: Vintage Yardley Shaving Soap
Razor: Personna Micrometric [6]
Blade: Personna 'Lab Blue' [1]
After-shave: Floid Vigoroso






The Micrometric cleaned up really well. There are a couple of splits starting to develop in the bakelite handle but nothing serious. The gold plating is well done and has stood the test of time.

While some may not like the bakelite handle is certainly gives a good grip. The ridges along it are pronounced and easy to hold. At 73g (with blade) and 8cm long it is very similar in size and weight to the Gillette British Aristocrat #21 or #22/66 or the US rhodium plated Executive. The bakelite handle does affect the balance with a little more weight seeming to be in the head - but it doesn't feel unbalanced.

I dialed it up to 6, the maximum, which looked like a pretty wide blade gap so I was cautious. Now there are actually two marks on the dial and the other one was on 'N' but this is certainly the greatest gap I could manage to create.

After lathering up the Yardley we were off. My initial caution was unnecessary. This is one s-m-o-o-t-h razor. I combined with a fresh Personna 'Lab Blue' which is my standard test blade (and also Personna branded!) and the combination worked well.

My standard 2 1/2 pass shave done (north -> south, then vice versa, then across the jawline) I could still feel a faint stubble when running my hand ATG up my cheeks - so I did another ATG south -> north pass just on the cheeks. The result was a truly BBS with only a couple of very minor patches where running my hand ATG I could feel anything, mainly on my neck and under the jawline. I'm sure if I'd done a full 3 pass shave these could have been addressed.

Then the test - applied the Floid Vigoroso generously. I expect some sting but that was not to be, just the warm glow of the menthol.

Overall: An outstanding shave.

The results equally that of the Barbasol Floating head and the R41 but without the uber-aggressive fear and trepidation they bring.

The only downside I can see is that I had this dialled right up to the most aggressive setting so I'm unlikely to get a closer shave than this. By way of contrast when I use a Fatboy or Slim I don't tend to dial them right out - the results are uncomfortable and not worth the hassle. I know I will not have any problems with the Personna, it will always be smooth, but the lower settings will not get much use I suspect, at least for me.

Having said this, and conscious that I've only had one shave with one type of blade compared to the many combinations I've used with the Fatboy and Slim, the Gillette adjustables had better watch out - there could be a new King of Adjustables if the Personna keeps performing like this.

So if you see one, grab it, certainly worth a run.

That's a really lovely razor, Mark! Congrats.

I actually like head heavy razors. That's a nice one, Mark.

Very nice and rare razor. Well done!

That is unique (at least to me) and very nice looking razor. Very cool using vintage soap & brush. Nice job cleaning it up.

Thanks guys.

It is not a common razor but certainly a great one if you can find it!

Second shave -

Brush: Vintage butterscotch Simpson
Soap/Cream: Proraso 'Red' Cream
Razor: Personna Micrometric [6]
Blade: Personna 'Lab Blue' [2]
After-shave: AoS Sandalwood gel

Two and a half passes - fantastic result. This razor glides around like no other.