My slim should be arriving any day now. This is my first adjustable so I was curious as to how all of you use your slim, fatboys, etc. Did you just experiment until you found the right number and then leave it there? Or do you adjust in between passes? Previously I have used a red tip and HD. The red tip is great and very smooth but not quite aggressive enough for me. The HD is a just a little better as far as aggressiveness for me but not as smooth as the red tip. I use blue birds, iridiums, and gillette yellows. I was planning on trying the slim on 4 to start but have not decided on adjustments between passes.
How do you use your slim?
- Thread starter jgjoneslaw
- Start date
I am in the process of buying my fist adjustable as well. It has not arrived yet, but I will need some coaching as I am a noob at this. Please let me know your findings and I will share any advice I can offer as well. Good luck! 
I just threw mine at 9 and kept it there...
Soemone told me to start at the lowest, and go up a click everytime you shave until you get nicks/irritation, then go back one.
@OP take a look http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness there and figure a good number out for you.
Soemone told me to start at the lowest, and go up a click everytime you shave until you get nicks/irritation, then go back one.
@OP take a look http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness there and figure a good number out for you.
I tried mine at 3 and found it too mild. So I moved it to 5 and liked it a lot better.
Lately, when I use it (see Trac II..Wow thread for why I haven't used it as much) I put it on 5 for my cheeks and turn it down to 3 or 4 for my neck, which is more sensitive. I have also tried using it on 5 or 6 for the first pass and then turning it down to 3 or 4 for subsequent passes. I think this provides the same closeness with less irritation.
Lately, when I use it (see Trac II..Wow thread for why I haven't used it as much) I put it on 5 for my cheeks and turn it down to 3 or 4 for my neck, which is more sensitive. I have also tried using it on 5 or 6 for the first pass and then turning it down to 3 or 4 for subsequent passes. I think this provides the same closeness with less irritation.
When I got my Slim I set it on 3 and worked up from there until I found the setting that worked best. I usually dial it down a notch between passes, especially if I'm doing a third (against the grain) pass.
The beauty of an adjustable is that there is no one ideal setting. I will dial mine up for a heavier beard growth, or down for a lighter growth. I'll also dial it up or down depending on which blade I'm using -- up for a milder blade like the Dorco, down for something like the Derby. One thing I can tell you is that you'll love shaving with an adjustable.
Mike
The beauty of an adjustable is that there is no one ideal setting. I will dial mine up for a heavier beard growth, or down for a lighter growth. I'll also dial it up or down depending on which blade I'm using -- up for a milder blade like the Dorco, down for something like the Derby. One thing I can tell you is that you'll love shaving with an adjustable.
Mike
I leave it at 4.
WTG + ATG at 3; dial down to 1 for ATG on the upper lip. No more weepers that way.
I always keep it at 3. It's perfect for sharper blades like Feather or Bleue Extra. I reckon it doesn't work that well with milder blades (e.g. Red IP), but in my book softer and gentler is always better than aggressive and harsh; especially when you do 4 passes like I do.
hi
number 3 and 4 for me .
number 3 and 4 for me .
I started at 1, and worked my way up to 4, where it has been for over a year. I don't foresee a need to go any higher for my face. YMMV
You'll love the slim. I started out with a Fatboy, and even though I like the
heft, I find that the longer and slenderer handle of the slim provides better control for me.
You'll love the slim. I started out with a Fatboy, and even though I like the
heft, I find that the longer and slenderer handle of the slim provides better control for me.
I use mine on 5.
Mine is at 7. I change it rarely. Then I move it back to 7.
Ha! I couldn't get a good shave....I see I'm not the only one.
I've started to use one of the slims (will move onto the fatboys later) from my recent big razor score. I searched through several threads, and essentially ymmv. In other words, experiement.
So far, I've determined that for me, I like it aggressive. I usually start out at 5, then crank it up to 7 for xtg, then 8 or 9 for the atg. Some people move in the other direction after their first pass. Others find the "sweet spot" and just leave it there.
Experiment.
So far, I've determined that for me, I like it aggressive. I usually start out at 5, then crank it up to 7 for xtg, then 8 or 9 for the atg. Some people move in the other direction after their first pass. Others find the "sweet spot" and just leave it there.
Experiment.
By luck yesterday I bought my second slim at a flea market for 5 bucks. I notice that even tho both razors are H1's one has a red ratchet and the other black and the black one has more blade exposure. They are exactly the same but it's like the 4 adjustment bars in the black one are set higher. So where I'm shaving on 7 and 8 now I will probably have to adjust the new one less. Any body else notice this?
As to the color, I just looked at 16 Slims that I have at this time and all are black. I wonder if Gillette made that red one with left over Fat Boy parts? If so, good for you (oops I meant say ship it to me quick before it infects your black one)...LOL
As to the adjustment setting, I had not tried it till just now, but it looks like you can overclock slims just like Fat Boys. To find out more do a search for overclocking / underclocking a Fat Boy. Basicly assuming you have a razor set at the default factory range, you could then turn the adjusting dial to either 1 or 9, take some poking device (big paper clip, knife tip, etc) and apply pressure to the (black or red) detent spring at the top edge of the adjusting dial while turning the dial past the 1 or 9 stopping point. You will see there is a range above and below the factory default. Maybe you slims are not in the same range.
Also would like to see picture of red slim if you could post one.
Copierguy you know how bad I would feel that this bastered child would infect 16 slims I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. :-o.
Thanks for the info I do remember seeing this about fat boys but at that time I didn't have one now I have two that I bought at the same time I got the slim.
Thanks for the info I do remember seeing this about fat boys but at that time I didn't have one now I have two that I bought at the same time I got the slim.
Just went to check on the black and red ratchet thing. Come to find out and I didn't know this but the ratchet on the slim is painted black and on the fatboy it's red ionized steel. I had soaked the head of the slim in limeaway because it had so much calcium, normally I don't do this on razors and I avoid any painted parts when I do I even avoided soaking the numbers keeping it just submerged below the collar so lesson learned. Jgjoneslaw be careful cleaning your razor do not use anything that may remove paint like Awesome, Limeaway, CLR and others keep it away from the ratchet and numbers if you do. To me it doesn't matter on this one but for collecting and keeping it original it's a big deal.
