I never tried Black Beauty, can someone tell me what's the difference between it and a Slim?
Gillete Slim vs Gillette Black Beuty
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Are you referring to the black handle adjustable? That's the superadjustable, the last adjustable Gillette made, the one following the slim. The slim followed the fatboy, although I think they overlapped one year according to the chart on this site. (I don't know how to superlink anything. Pathetic, I know.)
I had a superadjustable only for a brief period because it stopped adjusting for some reason. But when I used it I liked it a lot as I like the slim and the fatboy a lot. The superadjustable I think has the same head as the slim, and the mechanism is the same, basically.
I had a superadjustable only for a brief period because it stopped adjusting for some reason. But when I used it I liked it a lot as I like the slim and the fatboy a lot. The superadjustable I think has the same head as the slim, and the mechanism is the same, basically.
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That's interesting. I wonder whether this is true... maybe someone else knows something about it...
Both heads have that similar "low profile" to them. Whereas, if you looked at the Fat Boy, you wound see a rounder profile. The Black Beauty has a similar short handle, like the FB, but, has a low profile head.
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I have both a slim and a LH BB. Personally, I prefer the longer handle of the BB.
So the ergonomics of a long handle versus a short handle will produce a different feeling in the hand, and the weight balance between the head and the handle will also be affected thereby. Two variables essentially are involved in that choice.
The fatboy does have that rounder profile, a little trickier under the nose, for example. It's also a bit heftier in the hand. I slightly prefer it because of that feeling in my hand and on my face, but I love also the precision of the slim and my Mergress.
The fatboy is heavy enough; the Mergress is not too heavy but, especially given my frequent use of the fatboy lately, the Mergress now feels heavier.
The fatboy does have that rounder profile, a little trickier under the nose, for example. It's also a bit heftier in the hand. I slightly prefer it because of that feeling in my hand and on my face, but I love also the precision of the slim and my Mergress.
The fatboy is heavy enough; the Mergress is not too heavy but, especially given my frequent use of the fatboy lately, the Mergress now feels heavier.
I think they are pretty similar. I like the looks of the long black handle though so I've been waiting for a birthyear Z3 to show up so I can buy it. The only thing that I don't like about the late model Super Adjustable is the plastic base plate..
Mine had the metal base plate.
In addition to an obvious preference for metal over plastic for that part, I wonder if the balance is affected by one vs. the other. The weight difference likely wouldn't change a razor one likes into one he doesn't like, but I don't really know; I never used a superadjustable with the plastic base.
I think they changed the base plate to plastic in 1978? I'm not sure if they still made metal ones after 78 or if all factories changed over? I would also like to know if the plastic effected the Super Adjustable's shave or durability?
Gillete Slim
I've shaved with a super adjustable for over 40 years. Never had a single thought of trying a different razor in all of that time (well until joining B&B anyway).
I bought a slim about a year ago as I wanted to try shaving with it.
I sold the slim a few days ago in my massive clean out and no longer own this model razor.
I still have all of the super adjustable razors I bought new and still have no thoughts of selling any of them
HTH
The super adjustable, mug, and brush I bought new in 1970 and used daily until Joining B&B
I bought a slim about a year ago as I wanted to try shaving with it.
I sold the slim a few days ago in my massive clean out and no longer own this model razor.
I still have all of the super adjustable razors I bought new and still have no thoughts of selling any of them
HTH
The super adjustable, mug, and brush I bought new in 1970 and used daily until Joining B&B
Two good razors but the Slim feels better for me.
I can't tell you if there is any appreciable difference yet but I do have a Slim on the way and I already have the long handle Black Beauty. I think they are going to be similar. I bought the Slim just to have an adjustable short handle in addition to the Black Beauty with the long handle (I couldn't find a reasonably priced short handle BB at the time).
My vote went for the Slim as well. I have both, but the Slim has a better fit and feel for me. I also prefer it to the Fat Boy as well.
+1 to the 1970 Super Adjustable. This was my Dad's and my first DE razor. I have never tried the slim. I don't like the look or the shorter handle. Just from pictures I would say the head and adjustment mechanism are the same. One tip: When adjusting the razor loosen the silo doors make your adjustment and re-tighten. I have found that it is more reliably accurate this way.
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I should probably add....
I feel that the slim is a higher quality razor (built better) than the super adjustable. I just "prefer" how the super adjustable handles over how the slim handles. It was a weight vs balance issue for me and rather subtle. They both were excellent razors and the end results (BBS shave) where the same from both
I feel that the slim is a higher quality razor (built better) than the super adjustable. I just "prefer" how the super adjustable handles over how the slim handles. It was a weight vs balance issue for me and rather subtle. They both were excellent razors and the end results (BBS shave) where the same from both
1968 n-4 last Slims made has different base plate than 1968 n3 .
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Notice the operative word above; "plastic". I am NOT a fan of plastic in my TTO's
Alex,
I have a P (1970) Black Beauty that has the longer base plate. Didn't think to look until you posted that photo.
I have a P (1970) Black Beauty that has the longer base plate. Didn't think to look until you posted that photo.
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