Im getting some good shaves from my slim adjustable. The end results are the nice smooth feel I like with one a need to do a few touch ups afterwards. But man it just hasn't been a comfortable shave. I find that no matter what setting Im using it just becomes very harsh by the time i get to my last pass ATG. Ive tried different blades and have even just done 4 for WTG, 3 for XTG, and 2 for ATG. Ive been shaving for awhile with DE razors and have had very comfortable shaves with other razor but this one just always feels a little harsh on my face. Anybody else get this? Anybody have any good philosophies on different settings for different passes?
It may not be the setting, but the blade. Not all blades are equal when it comes to razors. Blade X performs well in razor 1, but is harsh in razor 2. Blade Y performs well in all razors except razor 3. Blade Z only performs well in razor 4 and 1. Just trial and error to find that perfect blade/razor combo.
Though the adjustables are great, many seem to suffer, to one degree or another, from old gunk that has built up on the inside of the handle. Even though they may look clean from the outside, the inside where the tension spring is and the end cap, can get obstructed with soap scrum..probably the original owner used the razor for a while, quickly gave it a rinse and left it in a drawer to sit maybe for decades, while the soap left inside, had a chance to harden. Just speculating and I'm not sure, but what you might have is the very scenario where the razor is not getting a proper fit due to inside dirt and you're getting a rough shave. Other than opening the razor and cleaning the offending sections, which in the case of the slim might be tricky, the other solution could be a few cycles in a heavy duty sonic cleaner. If you can swing that, the only thing to be concerned about is that the process will remove the paint from the numbers on the adjuster dial. Also you could try soaking the razor in mild soap detergent to smooth things out if the dirt is you're problem...
I would venture a guess that this means you've tried 2-3 blades that work well in your other razors? I agree with swarden43, it may be time to try blades that you've never tried before in any razor.
What are your setting on the slim? How did you arrive at that setting? How often do you use a blade? How did you come up with that number? What blade are you using? Have you tried a different brand of blade? I don't advocate using lots of different blades when first starting, but if a certain blade isn't working, change it. Or your dishwasher will work also. The most I have ever had to do on a slim is to spray some WD-40 down from the top.
If your having difficulty with an adjustable, why not try a 3 piece either vintage or new production...Nothing to move or clog or bend, just a quick cleaning after your shave. Once you find the blade that works for you, you"ll get a "GREAT" shave everytime.. I started with TTO's and I have used all the Gillette adjustables ( FatBoy, Slim and Super Adjustable), but once you dial in a 3 piece you never think of adjustables again..
There are no plastic parts on the slim and there is no lubrication needed, so I don't see how it could possibly hurt it. It works for me. It is the first thing I do when I get a new slim. I have seen a razor restoration video that says it's o.k. to do, of course, the video was on the internet.....
To determine if the razor is closing properly and if dirt is the problem, check to see if the turning action is perfectly smooth and if there is a fair amount of resistance when making the final quarter turn that tightens down the blade. If the razor is too easy to lock down or seems to want to open during a shave, this can be an indication that there is gunk build up. If you have do have a problem with closing the razor, try running it through more cycles of the dishwasher and see what happens...
But is the plastic dishwasher safe? I've seen a fair share of plastic items ruined in the dishwasher.
The op said he in fact put the razor through the dishwasher with no ill effects and the slim has no plastic parts so it should be all right for a cycle or two. I've read that Anotoman has suggested a few cycles in a sonic cleaner...
Just something to consider - I have a late model Super Adjustable that has a plastic base on the head.
Ooo I forgot those later ones..you're right. I guess the dw's maybe only safe for the early ones. Admittedly, Anotoman didn't say anything about a dishwasher and I'm not really sure that this is an effective route for the fit problem. Well like Platoon said..there's always the 3 piece...
I've never used a dishwasher to clean an adjustable, but I have used one of those sonic jewelry cleaners.. I'm not sure just exactly how clean it got the razor, but stuff did come out of the razor and there didn't seem to be any ill effects from using it..
I'm not sure how running a razor through a dishwasher is suppose to make the shave feel less harsh for the OP.
I don't see that mentioned anywhere, nor did the OP say it wasn't adjusting properly between the settings.
I think the thread got waylaid somewhere along the line. The original poster hasn't responded to any of the replies on the thread.
