Thanks to the help of some folks in here I got my new Fatboy and Slim cleaned. Here is my question: I have to dial both to 9 to get a good shave. Is this normal for those razors? I consider my 38C to be middle of the road in aggressiveness for reference.
Are Slims and Fatboys mild razors?
- Thread starter Kramerica
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You should be slicing and dicing on setting 9. I don't need to go above a 5. The blade angles look correct?
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- #3
The blade alignment is fine, but the separation from the bar reminds me of a Feather AS-D1
yeoooww. 9? I'm usually good with 6 but as they say "each to their own".
Something is definitely wrong. Should resemble an AS-D1 at a setting of 1 or 2.
Sorry about the underlining in this post. I'm on my phone and it won't let me get rid of it no matter what.
Sorry about the underlining in this post. I'm on my phone and it won't let me get rid of it no matter what.
Wow! You must have very coarse hair, or you are not using the proper angle with the razors as a setting of 9 is quite aggressive if used properly.
You may want to try a Muhle R41 if those are too mild for you, or a good open-comb razor such as the Tradere, Gillette New, Old Type, Single Ring, et cetera.
You may want to try a Muhle R41 if those are too mild for you, or a good open-comb razor such as the Tradere, Gillette New, Old Type, Single Ring, et cetera.
I have both a Slim and a Fatboy. A setting of 5 or lower is basically useless to me on both. I've been shaving at a setting of 8 on both. A setting of 6 wasn't nearly enough but gave me hope for 7, 8 and 9. 7 was pretty good, I liked 8 even better and 9 worked fine but 8 seemed to be the groove I was looking for.
My FB and Slim have settings lower than 9? Really? There are more aggressive razors than the Gillette adjustables. In my den, I'd put the lather catchers, the 1912, and the OCMM all ahead of the DEs in terms of aggressiveness. But I don't own a DE that bests them.
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- #10
Thanks all. At 9 I am getting great shaves, so I guess all is well. I just can't believe a shave is possible with these razors with a setting on, say, 4.
I am testing blades now, and I am using my adjustable as a starting point. Some blades at a setting of three are wicked (ie polsilver si) others like (astra sp) were happy at 9 depends on your technique and your face and blade. I like my razors quite aggressive, try another blade. When you do dial it back, till you know it needs more.
Jim
Jim
If 9 works for you then go for it.
Everyone has a different technique, so the variables are to wide to compare.
If you want a very aggressive adjustable razor try the Merkur Futur.
Everyone has a different technique, so the variables are to wide to compare.
If you want a very aggressive adjustable razor try the Merkur Futur.
I use an adjustable Gillette Aristocrat, a slim in gold clothing, or at least that's what I've been told. Corrections are always appreciated. I keep this razor at 4 using Crystal Platinum Chrome blades. For me, this gives me the right blade exposure and there is enough open room under the blade to keep it from clogging. YMMV! (At 1, this razor has almost no gap and is extremely mild when it comes to my face.)
I also use a Futur. This razor is much more aggressive. I get a similar shave with this razor at 1 using the same blades. For me, moving it to 6 creates a deadly weapon. Think carrot peeler. Again, YMMV. I really like the Futur and use it 50% of the time.
The blade you use has a great deal to do with the shave you receive. You might want to check out the relative sharpness of a few blades and try some new ones.
I also use a Futur. This razor is much more aggressive. I get a similar shave with this razor at 1 using the same blades. For me, moving it to 6 creates a deadly weapon. Think carrot peeler. Again, YMMV. I really like the Futur and use it 50% of the time.
The blade you use has a great deal to do with the shave you receive. You might want to check out the relative sharpness of a few blades and try some new ones.
If blade gap is all that we are looking at, your 38C should be comparable to the Slim set on about 4. Check out the B&B blade gap chart.
If it still doesn’t seem aggressive, your blade angle may be preventing you from feeling just how aggressive a Slim on 9 is – make sure that your skin touches the safety bar and the blade as opposed to touching the razor cap and the blade. Other than that, built up gunk in the razor could be preventing it from opining all the way. Try soaking the razor for about 48 hours in hot soapy water. Change the water whenever you can and work the adjustments whenever you walk past the soaking razor. A lot of gunk may become dislodged
If it still doesn’t seem aggressive, your blade angle may be preventing you from feeling just how aggressive a Slim on 9 is – make sure that your skin touches the safety bar and the blade as opposed to touching the razor cap and the blade. Other than that, built up gunk in the razor could be preventing it from opining all the way. Try soaking the razor for about 48 hours in hot soapy water. Change the water whenever you can and work the adjustments whenever you walk past the soaking razor. A lot of gunk may become dislodged
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If blade gap is all that we are looking at, your 38C should be comparable to the Slim set on about 4. Check out the B&B blade gap chart.
If it still doesn’t seem aggressive, your blade angle may be preventing you from feeling just how aggressive a Slim on 9 is – make sure that your skin touches the safety bar and the blade as opposed to touching the razor cap and the blade. Other than that, built up gunk in the razor could be preventing it from opining all the way. Try soaking the razor for about 48 hours in hot soapy water. Change the water whenever you can and work the adjustments whenever you walk past the soaking razor. A lot of gunk may become dislodged
that is an interesting chart, and pretty much correlates with my experience with some of the razors listed (progress, futur, L injector).
is the feather "portable" the same as the AS D1?
where would the muehle R41 fall?
broke the chart? wow! it is hard for me to imagine a more aggressive razor than my futur set on 6. i don't let it anywhere near my face at that setting, i just look at it in awe.
i've heard that the AS D1/2 is notoriously mild. i'm just really curious exactly where it would fall on the chart, ie milder than a progress on 1? about like a progress on 2?
i've heard that the AS D1/2 is notoriously mild. i'm just really curious exactly where it would fall on the chart, ie milder than a progress on 1? about like a progress on 2?
Hi and I'm glad you're gettin' a good shave with your razors. Whe I use a slim w/crystal or feather, I start at 7, for my 2nd pass I use five and for a 3rd pass I use 4 so that I can get a dfs around my "trouble" spots . Otherwise I'd be shedding a few drops and slicing skin like a good Prosciutto!. It just takes a little time to find what will work for you. Enjoy!
There is more to aggressiveness than blade gap though. That may be one indicator but it is not the defining characteristic. Other things such as head design, blade exposure and angle held in the head as well as overall weight of a razor (to a lesser extent) can have some bearing on the aggressiveness of a razor. I have used a few razors with a larger blade gap that were actually quite mild.
I have a 38c, but I found it slightly too aggressive, so I switched to the Fatboy and I am good on setting 5. I wonder if the Fatboy has been taken apart and put back misaligned somehow. I had that happen with another adjustable until I tried reassembling it a few times and the ideal setting went from 8 to 3.
