12 shaves in - my thoughts

[riverrun]

If you want an adjustable, you can't go wrong with a Progress. The plastic knob is how it has been done for a long time. It's not a cheap eyesore - it's retro. It's a classic. Mind you, I went for a brass Digress The brass knob does get patina, but a spot of Autosol/Brasso will take care of that in seconds if it bothers you.
At your age, a vintage 'birth-year' Gillette adjustable is also a stylish option. The Slim adjustable was made until 1968.

 

[riverrun]

No, please enlighten a newbie

You get a Gillette adjustable razor made in the same year (and quarter) you were born. Those vintage Gillette razors can all be dated to the year and quarter they were made. Date codes can be found ↪here.. and elsewhere..

 

[Oldestswinger]

There's something quite satisfying in using a razor that you know has been on the planet for the same amount of time as you (to within a matter of a few weeks maybe). Very happy with my I1

 

[Bogeyman]

...Even though I'm fast approaching 50 years young, I've just had my 12th DE shave.

Why didn't I do it years ago I keep asking myself?...

Simple answer: you didn't know about it. No fault of your own, mind you. I started shaving circa. 1976 and even at that early date I knew little of safety razors and looked upon them as some sort of primitive "spokeshave" or "drawknife" due to the veritable barrage of advertising regarding the new Bic and Gillette disposable razors. Safety razors were even then treated as archaic relics to be feared, e.g., "you'll cut the s%$t out of yourself, son!" and were only to be used after a shaman like prep ritual!!

I was past 50 when I realized that was all BS that I, like the vast majority of the shaving public, swallowed hook, line & sinker.