I have to say, I started wet shaving because I had found my Fathers Gillette Slim.. I was interested, went online, did a little bit of research, and it all began. I have the Slim, Fatboy, and 2 Gillette Superspeeds.. It seems that many people love the old Gillette adjustables, so I stuck with them. A couple of months ago, I ordered a Merkur 180, long handle:happy102, and have not used an adjustable since. I just think they shave better, with hardly any irritation compared to the adjustables. I went and ordered the Merkur 34G HD:happy102, and love that as well. I love the weight, looks, and simplicity of the Merkurs. Is it just me, or has anyone else put there adjustables away also??
I think it really depends on the person. Either you like the adjustable or you do not. It is all personal preference. Some might love a gillette slim while others a schick injector and others a merkur 34. It really is dependent upon you.
I also returned to the non adjustables, believe it or not I get excellent shaves from my YUMA which I modified and am now using a LORD L6 with excellent results. Have thought of ordering a Merkur 34, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I've been so satisified with the 2 above mentioned that I've yet to try any of my Gillette Tech's I've recently acquired. But they do look nice in the display cabinet.
Adjustables are OK -- I use a Fatboy occasionally, but I much prefer the non-adjustables. Actually, my favorite razors are the single-edge Gem Micromatics, both the OC and the Clog Pruf.
I agree with everyone's posts.. It really is a matter of preference. There's nothing wrong with adjustable's, I just prefer non- adjustables is all.. . Best shave that I've had in a long time was with my Merkur HD 34G, an Astra SP Blade, Musgo Real shave cream, combined with Proraso soap, lathered in an old coffee mug with my Semogue 1305 boar brush.. .. Smooth.....
I sold all my adjustablem. Since getting the Feather Stainless DE I'm considering selling my other razors
Although I probably get a better shave from my Merkurs and SEs, I do like my adjustables and will continue to use them in the rotation.
I have been increasingly appreciating my 3 piece razors and Gem over my TTOs and adjustables. Howeved, just when I was considering downgrading my adjustables to the lower storage drawer, I revisited my Fatboy and upped the setting from 7 to 8, and rediscovered new love for it. I do not want to lose that opportunity to revisit.
I like fixed heads like my single rings, aristocrats, gems, and ever readies. I have tried fat boys and never actually adjusted it.
I have basically placed all my fixed heads in a drawer in favor of adjustable's. I use a Merkur Vision or Futur almost daily. For me there's no need to change up razors when I shave. I prefer less aggression when I shave my head, And I like it aggressive when I shave my face. The adjustable is my easy solution. Also, the Vision and Futur are not Blade choosy. So generally what ever blade I pick, isn't a problem. There's not to many bad blades when paired with these razors.
I like both!!! But you know, if you don't change the settings on the adjustable, it's fixed I rarely change the settings on my adjustables (futur, progress, slim) unless I really need to ratchet it down after a bad shave the day before.
JTB,, That pretty much say's it all.. It crazy that I didn't even think about that.. Just experiment a little, find what setting you like, and stick with that setting.. Either way, I'm just glad I'm not shelling out money for disposables,,,DB shaving opened up a bunch of quality options with creams, soaps, etc.. that last a long time.. I actually enjoy shaving now, before it was just something that had to be done.. Thanks All.. GO BRUINS!!! Tonight at 8..
Ahem... I find myself leaning more and more toward the Long Comb New lately rather than the half-dozen TTO's I have. Not sure why. I know it gets the under the nose area more easily.
I have both a Fat Boy and Slim adjustable. I use them in my rotation. My preference is a Vintage OC or a Tech. I can get good shaves from the adjustables, the shaves form the others are outstanding. The adjustables seem to take a little more effort to shave in my opinion.
I enjoy using vintage carbon blades and I get the best results when they are loaded into an adjustable razor and set low at 1 or 2. I use fixed head razors for stainless steel blades.
I love my adjustables (Fatboy, long handle Progress and Schick adjustable injector) the two fixed DEs I have just don't work for me(Parker 22R and EJ DE86) but I get amazing shaves from my Gem G Bar.
Using my Slim on different settings really helped me get my technique down...I got so I could get a great shave on each setting...After I could get a 5 blade shave on #1 today and #9 tomorrow then I started likeing my SS more than ever...I'm sure it's because I understood the angle thing so much better... It is for this reason that I think Adjustables can be great for learning.
Long time since I used a DE or injector razor. I started out with a DE, Gillette, I believe, back in 1970. I had an injector razor for quite a while and if my memory serves me I even had a Fat boy adjustable razor with the clicking dial. Like a Dumb S*** I probaby threw them away going to electric Norelco. I know.. I had a brain F.... at that time in my life. I have seen Fat Boy's on eBay along with a new, brand new, adjustable razor and one of a name I have not heard. Are these new eBay DE razors of good quality for shaving? I have quite a number of Straight razors and shave daily with much debate on which one to use. I want to try this one and that one and sometimes I shave with up to 3 different razors to get some "feedback" on how they have done for honing and sharpening by me. Must be getting anal I guess.... It's hard to think about breaking out any of the 3 DE razors I do have in the drawer. I generally keep a blue disposable 2-blade near the sink, and after the first pass with the straigth(s) I will sometimes use it to touch up the corners of the mouth, and lower lip-chin area and continue on with the second lather pass with the straights. I guess I could use the DE just to see what it was like back then.
