Adjustable or multiple razor technique?

[No1Up]

I’m thinking of starting out a bit more aggressive for the first pass and lower every subsequent pass..

I’m looking at adjustable or multiple razors. The 6s caught my eye but it seems to be a hate it or love it razor. The Osprey looks interesting beautiful piece. Reviews by users here seem to love it, YouTube videos are all over the place.

Or I could get a titanium Henson in ++ and use the aluminum + to fall back to. But I swap out blades every use so, going that route, I’d use a lot of blades..

 

[Ranyart Finn]

I use this approach with all my adjustables. In my rotation I have:

Rockwell 4C (I have the 1/3 and 2/4 plates): 4/3
Rockwell T2: 4.5/3.5
Gillette Slim: 6/5
Gillette Fatboy:6/5
Gillette Super Adjustable: 6/5
Rex Ambassador: 4/3

I do a two-pass shave, WTG and an XTG/ATG mix, and I've noted the settings I use on the respective passes. It works very well for me, and adjusting on the fly, even swapping the 4C base plate, is quick and easy.

I'd suggest going with an adjustable rather than taking a multiple razor approach. I don't think the 6S is a hate it or love it razor - most seem to like it, and it's a pretty popular razor.

 

[AshleyC]

I prefer and mostly own adjustables. But it is only with a few that I start at a high setting for the first pass and dial it way down for the final pass. And even then, it is dialed down just for two specific areas. Under my nose and my chin, for against the grain, as these are the places I'm most likely to catch a nick.

Those adjustables are the Yaqi TFC, Ultima, and Avanti.

Other adjustables I tend to just leave on one setting all the way through, such as the Fatboy/Slim/Super Adjustable, which I just set to "9". Even at that setting, those are aggressive in the manner that a Minnesotan might consider General Tso's Chicken to be prohibitively "spicy".

I also have the Blackland Osprey, but I find that on "6", I can leave it alone all the way through. That razor, for me, is deceptively smooth and mild feeling. I mean deceptively in a good way.

I also have the Rockwell 6C, but I tend to use the "5" plate. I am not fond of disassembling a razor and fiddling around with a blade, mid-shave, with slippery hands.

Currently, the Yaqi razors I mentioned, and the Osprey, seem to hold my attention the most. I love those designs.

 

[Old Hippie]

I have one adjustable, a Rex Konsul slant. Lovely razor, but it's a fallacy to think that an adjustable contains the equivalent of every razor from mild to wild. My technique with it has pretty much settled on:

3 for the top of my head and down the sides; 6.5 for WTG in the back; 2 for the first pass ATG in the back; 5 for the second pass ATG in the back plus temples and behind the ears; 6.5 for cheeks and cleanups wherever needed.

While I can sympathize with those who buy an adjustable so they can try various gaps and see what's best for them, I don't do that. I figure it's adjustable so I should "run it through the gears" for the best fit to whatever I'm shaving at the moment.

O.H.

 

[No1Up]

I use this approach with all my adjustables. In my rotation I have:

Rockwell 4C (I have the 1/3 and 2/4 plates): 4/3
Rockwell T2: 4.5/3.5
Gillette Slim: 6/5
Gillette Fatboy:6/5
Gillette Super Adjustable: 6/5
Rex Ambassador: 4/3

I do a two-pass shave, WTG and an XTG/ATG mix, and I've noted the settings I use on the respective passes. It works very well for me, and adjusting on the fly, even swapping the 4C base plate, is quick and easy.

I'd suggest going with an adjustable rather than taking a multiple razor approach. I don't think the 6S is a hate it or love it razor - most seem to like it, and it's a pretty popular razor.

Sorry, I meant the adjustment of the razor. Some people don’t like swapping plates mid shave, others don’t mind. Poor choice of words.

 

[No1Up]

I prefer and mostly own adjustables. But it is only with a few that I start at a high setting for the first pass and dial it way down for the final pass. And even then, it is dialed down just for two specific areas. Under my nose and my chin, for against the grain, as these are the places I'm most likely to catch a nick.

Those adjustables are the Yaqi TFC, Ultima, and Avanti.

Other adjustables I tend to just leave on one setting all the way through, such as the Fatboy/Slim/Super Adjustable, which I just set to "9". Even at that setting, those are aggressive in the manner that a Minnesotan might consider General Tso's Chicken to be prohibitively "spicy".

I also have the Blackland Osprey, but I find that on "6", I can leave it alone all the way through. That razor, for me, is deceptively smooth and mild feeling. I mean deceptively in a good way.

I also have the Rockwell 6C, but I tend to use the "5" plate. I am not fond of disassembling a razor and fiddling around with a blade, mid-shave, with slippery hands.

Currently, the Yaqi razors I mentioned, and the Osprey, seem to hold my attention the most. I love those designs.

Would you recommend the Osprey? Does it drag? My neck is such a sensitive little B****!! I forgot why I stopped shaving for years! I’m determined this time to beat my prissy Karen of a neck! lol

so far, I know to… change blades every time, only shave with the grain, and the Henson mild has been the most consistent so far. Looking at the Osprey for adjustability but too many reports of the “drag” I find this drag on my Henson and it does irritate my neck some times. I have the Yates winning on order, hoping the new design might just be it, but 1 week in and no word on its arrival. I’ll give Yates until the end of the month before I give up on that razor.

The Osprey, the Henson Ti22 med, have my interest. I’ve looked at a few others, the merica, blackbird, lupo, game changer, 6s. But the ones I keep coming back to is Osprey and HenTi

 

[AshleyC]

I've not noticed any drag with the Osprey. I went with polished stainless for the smoothest finish and best possible glide.

Some might conclude that I'd be less inclined to criticize a razor I spent that much money on, but it is easily my best razor. Even though I've only used it maybe 4 or 5 times so far.

My only complaint would be that initially the adjustment dial was very difficult to move. But I just recently put it in my ultrasonic parts cleaner, running undiluted Simple Green. A few minutes of moving the dial back and forth through it's increments and it now moves easily.

 

[lasta]

I owned a Gillette Slim for 20 years. I've adjusted it twice.

 

[Quaznoid]

Why don’t you simply shave your face? Don’t fiddle around, don’t overthink it, just do it. It’s just shavin’ man.

I have two adjustables, a Slim and a SuperAdjustable. The Slim is on 9, the other on 8. I never change the settings. I do a two-pass shave with touch-up, BBS everytime. It’s not hard or complicated or anything else. Just shave, man.

 

[No1Up]

Why don’t you simply shave your face? Don’t fiddle around, don’t overthink it, just do it. It’s just shavin’ man.

I have two adjustables, a Slim and a SuperAdjustable. The Slim is on 9, the other on 8. I never change the settings. I do a two-pass shave with touch-up, BBS everytime. It’s not hard or complicated or anything else. Just shave, man.

Face isn’t the problem, it’s my traitorous neck I tell you!

 

[AshleyC]

Face isn’t the problem, it’s my traitorous neck I tell you!

Quaznoid is the angel on your shoulder. I'm more like the other guy.

That you even mentioned the Osprey leads me to deduce you aren't overly concerned about cost.

The grain direction on my neck tends to be in the direction of from my left to my right. So my second pass on my neck is always "against the grain". And it is the toughest pass to get through without drawing a weeper. I've probably only managed a true BBS there perhaps five times, ever.

My one memorable time of getting BBS everywhere was with a Fatboy, set to 9, with a new Derby Premium. And applying an amount of pressure quite more than I would dare with any other adjustable.

Have you perhaps been swayed yet as far as a decision?

 

[No1Up]

View attachment 1920471
Quaznoid is the angel on your shoulder. I'm more like the other guy.

That you even mentioned the Osprey leads me to deduce you aren't overly concerned about cost.

The grain direction on my neck tends to be in the direction of from my left to my right. So my second pass on my neck is always "against the grain". And it is the toughest pass to get through without drawing a weeper. I've probably only managed a true BBS there perhaps five times, ever.

My one memorable time of getting BBS everywhere was with a Fatboy, set to 9, with a new Derby Premium. And applying an amount of pressure quite more than I would dare with any other adjustable.

Have you perhaps been swayed yet as far as a decision?

Yes… I have decided.. Osprey, then Henson Ti, then Rockwell T2 SS, then 6s, and I can’t forget that I have the Yates winning on order….

Am I missing something?

For now, trying to decide if I should do the Osprey, or the Ti Henson first.

I’ve come to the conclusion that what I have is perfectly fine. But I won’t sleep until I have those in my den.

 

[helicopter]

Just get a Blackbird Ti with the standard plate and the oc plate, get some sharp blades, and work out your technique.

I am with everyone who thinks you only need one setting. I have some trouble spots, too, but I don't go for a different razor or setting.

If you must try an adjustable, get a Gillette or a yaqi. Probably slim or final cut since they are cheap and work well.

 

[No1Up]

Just get a Blackbird Ti with the standard plate and the oc plate, get some sharp blades, and work out your technique.

I am with everyone who thinks you only need one setting. I have some trouble spots, too, but I don't go for a different razor or setting.

If you must try an adjustable, get a Gillette or a yaqi. Probably slim or final cut since they are cheap and work well.

I believe I’m passed what I “need” at this point…

Now, on the Osprey, if my neck feels a little burnt, but I have 24 hour stubble, can I shave on 1 or 2 without much worry?

 

[helicopter]

I believe I’m passed what I “need” at this point…

Now, on the Osprey, if my neck feels a little burnt, but I have 24 hour stubble, can I shave on 1 or 2 without much worry?

It should be the same as any good mild razor on those settings.

 

[AshleyC]

I believe I’m passed what I “need” at this point…

Now, on the Osprey, if my neck feels a little burnt, but I have 24 hour stubble, can I shave on 1 or 2 without much worry?

Should be fine.

 

[AshleyC]

Yes… I have decided.. Osprey, then Henson Ti, then Rockwell T2 SS, then 6s, and I can’t forget that I have the Yates winning on order….

Am I missing something?

For now, trying to decide if I should do the Osprey, or the Ti Henson first.

I’ve come to the conclusion that what I have is perfectly fine. But I won’t sleep until I have those in my den.

Ah, so shaving has become a hobby. Oh well, I don't consider it to be any more strange than a golfer with multiple sets of clubs, or an angler with a bass boat and multiple rods.

Actually, as far as adult hobbies go, it is a comparatively inexpensive hobby.

 

[No1Up]

Ah, so shaving has become a hobby. Oh well, I don't consider it to be any more strange than a golfer with multiple sets of clubs, or an angler with a bass boat and multiple rods.

Actually, as far as adult hobbies go, it is a comparatively inexpensive hobby.

And one of the most relaxing

 

[sternej]

The adjustable razor discussion reminds me of the adjustable bed discussion. The Sleep number bed ads that have people who 'today I'm a 50 tomorrow I might be a 30' (exact numbers irrelavent) is just bogus. Your back needs constant and same support. Likewise, If you shave in the same cycles, your beard is the same and you want consitent comfortable shaving. Adjustables are great if let the beard go for days at a time and random cycles. Otherwise, I don't see the reason for adjusting.

 

[dmshaver]

I've not used an adjustable for a few years, but here's the approach I used when I did shave with an adjustable (Slim, Fatboy, Rockwell 6S). I would increase efficiency with each subsequent pass. Pass one I'm doing a level 3 on the Rockwell, or a 3-4 on the Gillette's. Pass 2 I up it to R4 for the Rockwell, 5-6 on Gillette. The last pass is the highest setting. Rockwell I use R5, Gillette's I'm dialed in on somewhere between 7-9.

My reasoning for this is found in other B & B threads, & I adopted it. As we reduce our whisker height with each pass, we need a more efficient (some read "aggressive" here) pass on the next pass to continue trimming down our whiskers.