War of the Adjustables!

One thing I noticed about Adjustables is the weird comments people make about them. For example, "I tried the X, but it only worked for me on setting Y." It seems like some people feel that if they can't use it on every setting, then it is wortthless. Same with the Rockwell. If it works well for you on a given plate, then what's the issue?

I, personally, consider the Rockwell 6S to be configurable. I have no issues with people calling it an adjustable, however. I'm glad the above table also includes the Karve, though I've never heard anyone call it an adjustable.

The Rockwell 6S was (yes, "was", read on) really one of the best deals in DE shaving. My beef about it is the chunky baseplates, but while shaving, this has never been an issue for me. You effectively get 6 different baseplates in one package, without having to buy anything additional. It is 100% stainless steel (not CNC machined, but that does not bother me.) Less than 2 years ago, I got it on sale direct from Rockwell for $85, but those days of getting it brand new for that price are long gone. It retails for $120 now. Ouch! It still is *realtively* a good deal considering that you are getting 6 levels of configuration in an all stainless steel razor.

 

DE SOTD, Friday, April 7th 2023

Razor : Yaqi The final cut adjustable, Mfg 2021>, all ranges, similar design as the Gibbs 1930 adjustable razor but it takes regular Gillette blades instead. Well made with good all around shaving satisfaction I have found + affordable! Excellent stellar close shave this morning and mostly carefree shaving.
Blade : Personna red(2) sharp & smooth with excellent longevity.
Soap : Razorock Santa Maria del Fiore, vanilla and light tobacco scented with excellent lather qualities.
Brush : Yaqi "Lucky dice" 26mm brown whiskers Fan knot, Excellent lather generator, heavenly luxury cloud like soft tips, very nice gentle splay scrubber + excellent lather painter.
Pre shave : (Dedicated Cashmere synthetic)Brush wash whole face with CeraVe hand bar cleanser with a dollop of clear Aloe Vera on the cleaned beard area.
Prep : Cold water rinse after each pass of 2 + pickups. WTG(3) + ATG(3) + (4 setting) pickups.
Post shave : Razorock Santa Maria del Fiore AS with witch hazel + a dollop of CeraVe moisturizing lotion(scentless).
Results : or CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers= Excellent stellar close shave with my Yaqi TFC adjustable with a Personna red blade.

Have some great shaves!

 

In my not so humble opinion the best modern adjustable for a newbie is still the Merkur Progress. It is not the cheapest one to start on but unless you can't afford a $60 - $80 razor, it is tried and true and works well with super sharp or mild blades. If you can't get a BBS finish with one on any of the settings the problem is most likely you. You either don't have it dialed up enough or you aren't doing enough passes. I can't speak for other models I don't own or haven't used so there might be other models in the same ballpark but none will have 50+ years of razor making experience built into their design.

 

From what I have read, the Parker Variant performs very similarly to the Progress. If that's correct, then I know I would like the Progress because the Variant works really well for me.

Last week I bought a used Pearl Flexi from another fine gent and I have used it the last two days. Some have noted blade alignment problems or other issues with the Flexi but this one seems spot on. Another great razor that works well for me.

Both the Variant and Flexi work better for me so far than my Gillette 195 ("Fatboy") and Slim. I'm not saying that the Fatboy and Slim aren't good, they are, but just not as efficient as the Variant and Flexi.

 

Can't speak for the Parker or Pearl razors only that they now run close to the same price as a Merkur Progress. Fatboys and Slims even on their most extreme settings are still on the mild side. I guess it would depend one's hair type but they gave me a passable at best shave. The modern Progress razors (ones produced 2016 and up) are also a more forgiving razor than the pre 2016 versions. If we were talking pre 2016 Progress razors my opinion would be different.