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Gillette Slim use tips ?

I have two Slims (both ‘62) that I had replated by BRG, one in nickel and another in two tone.

They are beautiful and a marvel of mechanical engineering.

However, I find them challenging to use. It’s hard to get a smooth shave with them. They are not all that efficient on low settings (3-4) and I get nicks and irritation on higher settings. Both shave the same so it’s not the problem with individual razor being out of whack.

For comparison, I also have the later black handle Super Adjustables (long and short handle). I find them more comfortable and more efficient. But none of Gillette adjustables can match the smoothness and efficiency of Superspeeds for me.

So, is it me ? Should I try a different technique ? Or is it the razors ?

I typically use them on 5 (sometimes 4) with Feathers, Nacets or GSBs.

It took me a while to get used to the Tech and Superspeed too. But the problem was never with shaving comfort, only with getting the right level of efficiency.
 

brucered

System Generated
If you are a 3 pass shaver, use the adjustment feature to your advantage if one setting doesn't work.

WTG pass 1: set on 3
XTG pass 2: set on 4
ATG pass 3: set on 5

If you are a 2 pass shaver (WTG, ATG) like me, use 3 and 5 with the above strokes.
 
If you get better shaves with the Super-Speeds you should stick to them. Don't listen to the numerous opinions that this Super-Speed equals this or that number on the adjustables.

First, the adjustables have the adjuster posts that make the blade pretty rigid (unlike the Super-Speeds etc.) This rigidity will enevitably make the shaves a tad harsher and the razor will cut you easier.

Second, The Slim and the Super Adjustable do not have identical heads. Even though they are both with low profile heads the position and angle of the blade relative to the guard and the cap have been slightly changed for the Super Adjustables. This is not and observation based on a single razor. I have 6 Super Adjustables and 5 Slims.

Finally, the replating process could very slightly change the characteristics described by me in the previous paragraph.
 
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I usually do the opposite of Bruce.

1st pass, wtg: 5-8 (depending on length of beard)
2nd pass, xtg: 3-4 (stubble cleanup)

Starting with a mild setting and ending aggressive seems counter intuitive but can see why it might work. I'll give it a go next time, cheers :thumbup:

First, the adjustables have the adjuster posts that make the blade pretty rigid (unlike the Super-Speeds etc.) This rigidity will enevitably make the shaves a tad harsher and the razor will cut you easier.

Superspeeds of the same era should have higher rigidity compared to 4 post adjustables. They clamp the blade closer to the edge, over it's full length. It might be over tightening?

Make sure the blade doesn't have any creasing or wavey patterns on the top surface.
My Slim occasionally does this and leads to a rougher shave. Wiping all surfaces, removing glue spots and reseating the blade usually fixes the problem.
 
Superspeeds of the same era should have higher rigidity compared to 4 post adjustables. They clamp the blade closer to the edge, over it's full length. It might be over tightening?
The Super-Speeds clamp only at the end close to the edge. The adjustables clamp at the edge plus at the 4 posts which are closer to the center. That makes a much bigger clamping area that gives more rigidity compared to the Super-Speeds.
 

brucered

System Generated
I usually do the opposite of Bruce.

1st pass, wtg: 5-8 (depending on length of beard)
2nd pass, xtg: 3-4 (stubble cleanup)

Starting with a mild setting and ending aggressive seems counter intuitive but can see why it might work. I'll give it a go next time, cheers :thumbup:
I look at it as "beard reduction".

If the hairs don't get cut at 3 on the first pass, they will get cut at 5 on my second pass.

If I start at 5 and cut the whiskers off, the second pass with 3, won't pick anything up.

No right or wrong way. It's just the way I've been doing it for years. If I was to use a Two razor system for mowing down multiple days growth, I'd start my WTG pass with Mild razor and finish with something more aggressive as the aggressive razor would be hash for the first pass.

An adjustable is not my go-to razor, but it was for a few years. I still use one camping and for travel, if I'm shaving.
 
I have two Slims (both ‘62) that I had replated by BRG, one in nickel and another in two tone.

They are beautiful and a marvel of mechanical engineering.

However, I find them challenging to use. It’s hard to get a smooth shave with them. They are not all that efficient on low settings (3-4) and I get nicks and irritation on higher settings. Both shave the same so it’s not the problem with individual razor being out of whack.

For comparison, I also have the later black handle Super Adjustables (long and short handle). I find them more comfortable and more efficient. But none of Gillette adjustables can match the smoothness and efficiency of Superspeeds for me.

So, is it me ? Should I try a different technique ? Or is it the razors ?

I typically use them on 5 (sometimes 4) with Feathers, Nacets or GSBs.

It took me a while to get used to the Tech and Superspeed too. But the problem was never with shaving comfort, only with getting the right level of efficiency.
I wonder if you used milder blades you may have more adjustability instead of going from mild to wild in two clicks? With a less agressive blade you may be able to sneak up on a combination of effectiveness and comfort.
 
I wouldn’t use a Nacet or Feather in my skin (personal opinion) I wouldn’t use the old GSBs either (haven’t tried the new ones).

My first thought was get a super adjustable reading the title but you did that

Slims do well for me with vintage high end blades (USA Gillette platinums, super stainless, later personna 74 variants)
 
Try going with a shallower shaving angle. I find the Gillette adjustables give a rougher shave than other TTOs at a mid or steep angle unless you open them up to 7+. Then you have to deal with the possibility of skin irritation with such a higher level of aggression. They shave great at a shallow angle, though.
 
The Super-Speeds clamp only at the end close to the edge. The adjustables clamp at the edge plus at the 4 posts which are closer to the center. That makes a much bigger clamping area that gives more rigidity compared to the Super-Speeds.

That's not how my Slim works, early Gillette adjustables are different (some toggles, bottom dials etc)

1000000517.jpg

Baseplate camp area highlighted (parts that push the blade into cap, sorry for the poor phone edits)

You can push blade ends down on a Slim if you wish, although I don't believe this impacts the shave. Over tightening is the only potential issue I can see as the user doesn't have full control with the last 1/4 turn (old stiff springs, not set up 100% etc)
 

BradWorld

Dances with Wolfs
I use my SLIMs on 9, and shave on a super steep angle. I ride the bar. I get perfectly smooth and efficient shaves that way. Before I learned the ways of the steep, I too would get nicks and weepers on anything over 4 with a Slim. I also find the SLIM to be particularly blade finicky. So try different blades until you find a great pairing that works for you.
 
I can only pass on my personal experience: the Slim shaves very well but is too heavy and a little clumsy. It’s a truck to my ‘73 SuperSpeed’s race car.

I shave with it on setting “9”. I do a two-pass WTG and ATG with a little cleanup on the problem areas. It’s always BBS.

I use Lord family blades exclusively, which are medium sharp. I make a very slick lather with hand soap. I take short strokes. My beard is medium on the soft/tough scale.

If any of my methods work for you you’re welcome to them.

Two things you do that I never do is use Feather blades (too sharp) and adjust the razor mid-shave. Mine is set at “9” and will never be adjusted.
 
I can only pass on my personal experience: the Slim shaves very well but is too heavy and a little clumsy. It’s a truck to my ‘73 SuperSpeed’s race car.

I shave with it on setting “9”. I do a two-pass WTG and ATG with a little cleanup on the problem areas. It’s always BBS.

I use Lord family blades exclusively, which are medium sharp. I make a very slick lather with hand soap. I take short strokes. My beard is medium on the soft/tough scale.

If any of my methods work for you you’re welcome to them.

Two things you do that I never do is use Feather blades (too sharp) and adjust the razor mid-shave. Mine is set at “9” and will never be adjusted.

I don't typically adjust the razor mid-shave.

Feathers and equally sharp blades work just fine for me in all vintage Gillettes.
 

BradWorld

Dances with Wolfs
They are not all that efficient on low settings (3-4) and I get nicks and irritation on higher settings.

Feathers and equally sharp blades work just fine for me in all vintage Gillettes.

Given the above, you might want to try another blade in the SLIM. I have different favored blades in different razors. Something a little less sharp, and more smooth, may allow you to comfortably raise the setting without nicks or irritation, and achieve the desired results.
 
I have two Slims (both ‘62) that I had replated by BRG, one in nickel and another in two tone.

They are beautiful and a marvel of mechanical engineering.

However, I find them challenging to use. It’s hard to get a smooth shave with them. They are not all that efficient on low settings (3-4) and I get nicks and irritation on higher settings. Both shave the same so it’s not the problem with individual razor being out of whack.

For comparison, I also have the later black handle Super Adjustables (long and short handle). I find them more comfortable and more efficient. But none of Gillette adjustables can match the smoothness and efficiency of Superspeeds for me.

So, is it me ? Should I try a different technique ? Or is it the razors ?

I typically use them on 5 (sometimes 4) with Feathers, Nacets or GSBs.

It took me a while to get used to the Tech and Superspeed too. But the problem was never with shaving comfort, only with getting the right level of efficiency.
Check the blade alignment, also the bar alignment; have had some come back from "repair" and they haven't been fixed .
 
Check the blade alignment, also the bar alignment; have had some come back from "repair" and they haven't been fixed .
I have two of them and both shave the same.

well, slim will be one of my favorate razors. Maybe you should try some other blades?

I tried it with Feather, Astra SP, GSB, Nacet and Bic Chrome Platinum.

I think it's just not as smooth as the Superspeed or Tech.
 
So I’ve been playing around with it for a week.

I tried different settings, and stuck with Nacet because that’s the blade that I use the most and it works great in all of my vintage Gillettes.

I think opening it to about 6 works the best for me. At 7 it’s a little too open and I need to be careful. At 5 it’s a little too inefficient.

I can get clean shaves with minimum issues, but it does require more work and attention than when I am using a Superspeed or a Tech. I would also rank it a notch below the Super Adjustable.

I just think that the Slim is simply not as efficient (and by that I mean the combination of both the closeness and the comfort) as the non-adjustables it was intended to substitute. It’s not a bad razor, but Gillette did seem to make a few compromises to provide the nine levels of adjustment.

The Super Adjustable feels like the next step in refinement. In pretty much every way, it’s very close to the Slim, but a little better. A little better grip, better maneuverability (in the 84mm handle version), a little closer and more comfortable shave at the same settings. Still not on the same level as a Superspeed, but closer, so the trade off of getting all that adjustability is less. It was not just a cost cutting design change, but an actual evolution.

I have two Slims and two Super Adjustables, so I think I can rule out sample variance. Slim is just a little bit rougher and less refined design than the Super, although of course being a shiny all metal razor it is cooler than the more utilitarian looking Super. But the Super 84 is the best Gillette adjustable I’ve used.

I wish I also had a FatBoy to compare…
 
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