I started wet shaving 6.weeks ago with the MicroTouch. Picked up this 64 Gillette Slim on eBay. Set to 3 put in the Crystal blade from the MTO in and gave it try. Best shave to date but irritating though at least according to the alum block quit bit of burn. Will focus on no pressure next time maybe a different blade?
Some razors are picky about blades, for sure. I'd use the same blade for three shaves if possible to make sure that is the issue. Just my 2 cents
Could be inferior lather or it could be the blade. I tried a crystal in one of my razors, which all happen to be Gillettes, and lets just say I ended up in worse shape than you. The thing is, different blades work differently in different razors while some suck no matter what for some people, such as myself. No mater what razor I use I cannot use Crystals. The older razors are milder than today's sort so I recommend trying some good sharp blades.
You state you "put the Crystal from the MTO" in the slim. How many shaves on the Crystal in the MTO before you moved it to the slim? Try a new blade in the slim, not a used one. Don't blame the blade or razor until you try it with a new one. MHO.
I'm a rookie too, just 5 months. I've noticed with my slim that I have to pay close attention to the angle. I also started on 3 and find I get a better shave on a higher number setting.
I use a SR 99% of the time but when I do use a DE it is a slim and I find the setting of 7 to be perfect with a feather blade. I have also used in the same razor with ok but not as great results Crystal, Gillette silver blue, Gillette yellow, Gillette black, Derby, Shark, Balzano and a few more
Welcome to vintage shaving. The Slim is an excellent razor. As was said, the right blade can make a difference, and the right setting "for you" will complete the difference. Probably 90% of the time, I am shaving with a vintage razor. It was my rabbit hole.
Thanks I'll pay more attention to angle the MTO shaved best for me at about 45 to 55 degrees I'm guessing. I'm assuming the Slim will be close to that the heads look identical.
Blades can make a big difference. Go to tryablade.com, get two of each brand you want to try to get proper testing.
Try a little shallower angle. I have a Fatboy, which is a slightly different head, but the blade gaps are the same as the slim. Never seen one, but I bet your MTO has a blade gap closer to a 1 on the slim. When you open up that gap without changing your angle, you expose more of the side if the blade to your skin, which can up the irritation.
Oh, I can't remember if anyone said this, and I am too tired to reread the thread, so... Be sure to loosen the head before you change the setting. Also when you tighten the head with the Slim there is one last 1/4 turn to lock it down. Best shaves to you.
What he said. Nobody tells you that when you get an old adjustable. Happened to me. Didn't know about that last "lock down" turn, blade was a little loose and tore me up a wee bit. And not loosening it before you change the setting can damage the razor.
Definitely keep trying. It does take a bit of practice to develop your technique with any razor in the beginning, just go slow and gentle. The Gillette Slim is a premium adjustable and is capable of excellent shaves. While I've never used a micro touch, I'm sure the difference between the Slim and micro touch are very evident. If you can in the future you should consider getting a Gillette SuperSpeed(which the MT is basically a copy of) just to compare the shave with your micro touch and of course add another quality safety razor to your collection .
I'm new too (1 month coming up) and have an M2 (1967) Slim. I found that for me the Gillette 7 O'clock Yellow worked very well with that razor but the Dorco blades that came with my MTO were just awful. YMMV, as many people have said, but I personally have had good results with the Yellows and also decent results with Personnas, including the CVS and Kroger-branded Personnas.
