Gillette adjustable (slim)

Scotshave said:
I got one off Etsy last week. I've found that 6 is perfect for me. A tremendous, smooth shaver. So far, it seems to work really well with Gillette Nacets, Rubies and Astra SP. I'd probably turn down the volume if using a Feather, though.
Click to expand...

I have not found mine very comfortable to shave with so far but the end result of the shave has been very good. I still need to try adjusting it a little to find the best setup
 
phil-b said:
I have not found mine very comfortable to shave with so far but the end result of the shave has been very good. I still need to try adjusting it a little to find the best setup
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Some vary between passes and some (like me so far) find the sweet spot and stick with it. That's the beauty of all this: different hardware, software. Infinite possibilities (depending on budget, of course). Enjoy.
 
Louis said:
When I use my Slim, the first pass (WTG) is normally on 7; the second pass (XTG) on 5, the final pass (ATG and maybe some buffing) is on 4 or maybe 3 depending on which blade I'm using. Great results every time.
Click to expand...
I follow roughly the same protocol. I can understand the argument for increasing the blade gap for the XTG and any ATG passes which the user may perform, but my philosophy is that you've already abraded your face with the first pass, so, if anything, you'll need to make the razor milder thereafter rather than more aggressive.
 
phil-b said:
I have not found mine very comfortable to shave with so far but the end result of the shave has been very good. I still need to try adjusting it a little to find the best setup
Click to expand...
Just a thought, you may be doing the same as me, when I first got a slim.
I didn't know about turning the adjuster knob the extra quarter-half turn after the doors shut to lock the blade down fully. Also the mechanism was gummed up slightly so it needed quite a bit of force, more than I was comfortable in applying even when I found out about the twist-to-lock.

My first few shaves without the blade clamped properly were aggressive to say the least.
When I locked the doors & blade down properly it transformed into a very smooth & comfortable shaver.
I left mine overnight soaked in wd40, mechanism worked beautifully after that.
I've read that soaking in baby oil is better as its skin friendly, wd40 was to hand & I washed it with fairy liquid afterwards, it did the job with seemingly no issues.

Thought it was worth mentioning
 
the slim is an abomination, the shave angle is very narrow, and for most people its a bad one. at least for my sensitive skin and tough as hell facial hair.

The best adjustables are the fat boy and the super adjustable.
 
JayGee said:
Just a thought, you may be doing the same as me, when I first got a slim.
I didn't know about turning the adjuster knob the extra quarter-half turn after the doors shut to lock the blade down fully. Also the mechanism was gummed up slightly so it needed quite a bit of force, more than I was comfortable in applying even when I found out about the twist-to-lock.

My first few shaves without the blade clamped properly were aggressive to say the least.
When I locked the doors & blade down properly it transformed into a very smooth & comfortable shaver.
I left mine overnight soaked in wd40, mechanism worked beautifully after that.
I've read that soaking in baby oil is better as its skin friendly, wd40 was to hand & I washed it with fairy liquid afterwards, it did the job with seemingly no issues.

Thought it was worth mentioning
Click to expand...

you may be right, Mine was also a bit gummed up to start with but I have since freed it up by oiling it with olive oil (that's all I had to hand but it seemed to work). I am now using my R89 mid week but I will go back to the slim at the weekend when I can take my time with it
 
Louis said:
When I use my Slim, the first pass (WTG) is normally on 7; the second pass (XTG) on 5, the final pass (ATG and maybe some buffing) is on 4 or maybe 3 depending on which blade I'm using. Great results every time.
Click to expand...

Despite the fact I find this approach counterintuitive (ie, making a razor less aggressive in order to get closer passes), I tried this approach this morning with Jeeves Hudson Tobacco & Bay. Absolutely superb results, no nicks etc. So dolphin smooth was I that I swam out the front door.

Regards

Flipper.
 
Supermangs said:
Despite the fact I find this approach counterintuitive (ie, making a razor less aggressive in order to get closer passes), I tried this approach this morning with Jeeves Hudson Tobacco & Bay. Absolutely superb results, no nicks etc. So dolphin smooth was I that I swam out the front door.

Regards

Flipper.
Click to expand...
Glad it worked for you. If you tweak the settings to suit your own particular fizzog and blade of choice, it might be even better.

Happy swimming!

Lou
 
Supermangs said:
Despite the fact I find this approach counterintuitive (ie, making a razor less aggressive in order to get closer passes), I tried this approach this morning with Jeeves Hudson Tobacco & Bay. Absolutely superb results, no nicks etc. So dolphin smooth was I that I swam out the front door.

Regards

Flipper.
Click to expand...

is it not like using finer grades of sandpaper to get a smooth finish. I can see why you need a less aggressive setting for your ATG pass as opposed to your first WTG pass
 
It's a nice analogy. I'm not sure it plays through completely, on the basis that the finer grades of sandpaper remove finer edges, whereas a blade is just trying to get closer whilst cutting through hair of the same thickness.

I started on 7 this morning, and forgot to move down through the gears of 5 and 3. I had a fabulous shave again with Proraso Blue + Rubie blade, but I noticed just a slight sense of rawness on my skin immediately after the shave that was not present yesterday. It was nothing some moisturiser didn't fix. So, I figure the benefit here is that by the time you get down to a 3, you are just being a bit gentler on your skin.

My slim is a 1964 model - it looks like it was just unwrapped, and the mechanics are perfect. I love how it shaves, but I also love owning it; I am very taken by the idea that this item is over 50 years old and still executes its intended purpose perfectly.

Conversely, I have an old soviet era razor, which is a bit rugged, and leaves one feeling and looking like one's spent the winter defending Stalingrad. I shave with it once a year to remind myself why I only shave with it once a year. That said, I sort of like owning that as well, just for the history of it.
 
Supermangs said:
I started on 7 this morning, and forgot to move down through the gears of 5 and 3. I had a fabulous shave again with Proraso Blue + Rubie blade, but I noticed just a slight sense of rawness on my skin immediately after the shave that was not present yesterday. It was nothing some moisturiser didn't fix. So, I figure the benefit here is that by the time you get down to a 3, you are just being a bit gentler on your skin.
Click to expand...

Yes I think this is why it works. going ATG is tougher on your skin so adjusting the razor to a less aggressive setting helps
 
I have read that shaving removes the same amount of skin as it does hair. Therefore once the first pass is done (at an aggressive setting) some of the outer layer of skin has already been removed so subsequent passes could do with a milder setting to prevent too much irritation and because more of the skin/hair is exposed.
That's my theory anyway and seems to agree with @Supermangs experience today.
 
Added an extra finishing pass this morning with Slim set on 9. Not a very comfortable experience but curiosity got the better of me. Result: 1 hour after the shave no difference could be felt compared to a normal shave. But now 10 hours later definitely less stubble but would still have to shave again if on cuddly toy duty tonight. So Slim on 9 nah, not a great idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom