I suppose on could argue—if one is predisposed to argue—that ALL adjustables are gimmickry, a ploy by manufacturers to convince potential buyers that one product (their's!) is superior in some manner or feature over another. What can be easily shown simply by using the adjustable razor is there IS a difference in how a razor shaves dependent upon the settings used. To claim there is no difference between a Model 195 set at '1' versus 'wide open' is either speaking from a vantage point of non-experience, or perhaps from unfamiliarity with using an adjustable razor. Vintage Gillettes are overall fairly mild on the scale of aggressiveness, and the differences in the settings are not dramatic—they don't transform the razor into something it is not—but the subtlety of these changes are apparent to the regular user.
What I'm trying to say is- don't think automatically adjustables are better. With the right technique a regular SS can perform just as well as any setting (on a Slim which I've used). And want and need is different. I don't need a safety razor, I want one. I drive automatic. I only need manual to drive a car but I'd rather have auto. I'm not telling others what they want...
I love my fatboy. I get great shaves on 5 with my Astra SPs. But, tomorrow I am starting my cheap soap month, and I decided to break out my Schick M adjustable. I love that razor as well. I am looking forward to that shave with much anticipation.
I loved being able to adjust different settings, I've had a few adjustables myself (Fatboy, Slim & Mergress). That being said, after a short order I ended up setting it and forgetting it and found the whole adjustment thing beyond that initial fun phase to be pointless.
That is the whole point. You adjust the razor to your blade and face, and you are done. If something changes you can adjust.
Yes I know its the point. It's also a point that one could spend $90 on a Gillette FatBoy or they could just use a FlareTip or Red Tip superspeed for over half the price, which covers most of the adjustment numbers as well.
I suppose I should mention that I eventually sold all my adjustables— Fat Boy, Slims (2) & Futur—as well as many other DEs, and only kept several non-adjustable models (three R41s and two Techs). IF I were a ONE razor guy, I'd might have considered keeping an adjustable for 'variety sake'—but in reality, I used to 'set & forget' and rarely altered the settings.
I definitely agree with that. There is no truly "better" razor anywhere because almost every razor has its die-hard "desert island" fan (blades even more so, it seems). And that's as it should be. For myself, give me a '41 Ranger Tech and you can have any adjustable on the planet...and any other DE for that matter (for me there's more than just utility going for the '41). But is it a better razor? Well, yeah...to me. But I couldn't quantitatively prove that to save my life.
Just as opinion and fact also happen to be to very different things. I think sometimes people have difficulty in distinguishing between the two.
All I would be doing is parrot out everything that was in the Injector/SE Thread that already exists on the forum, I'd take a browse through there and enjoy the info/pics. I actually found it well worth the read. Plus I don't want to derail this thread!
