Major benefits of an adjustable safety razor

[bman0023]

Hi All, I am still a newbie here. I have a shiny new EJ89LBL, which I love. I chucked the Mach 3 in the trash. I also love my homemade shaving soap which works great! I have been getting great shaves so far after almost a month with my Astra and Feather blades.

I do have some questions about the adjustable razors, and I do understand that they are adjustable and all. But what are the major benefits to them? Why not just change the angle, or am I missing something here? What makes them so good?

Which are the best ones to get? I was on the EJ site and I don't think they make any adjustables? Too bad because I love mine all nice and shiny, a great way to start my day!

Any and all help will be appreciated. I really appreciate the help as I live in an area where I have to have everything shipped to me, so I cannot even look at these items.
Brad

 

[Ski-Patroller]

Adjustables don't particularly change the blade angle, they change the blade gap. The advantage is that you can get just the degree of aggressiveness that you like. Merkur is well known for their Progress and Futur razors both of which are liked by a lot of users. Both are more aggressive than a Gillette Tech, on their mildest settings and can be very aggressive, especially the Futur. Most users do not adjust the razor during the shave, but some do, and it can work, if you have problems shaving a particular area. I always recommend one of these to a new shaver since they can fine tune the razor to their face and technique. On the other hand some people suggest starting with a fixed razor and learning how to use it first. YMMV.

 

[inspiringK]

The main advantage is that Gillette could make one razor that suited the preferences of all shavers.

As Ski-Patroller said, they increase in blade gap as you increase the setting, this in turn allows you to use a much more aggressive blade angle (ie have the blade more perpendicular to your skin). Really they are nice for learning how an aggressive razor shaves compared to how a super mild one does, from there you can decide what kind of razor you prefer. Though, I don't do this, but I have read that some guys also like to either increase or decrease the aggression as they go from pass one to pass 3 etc.

 

[Copierguy]

Welcome to B&B.

Adjustables are great for trying out new blades, or if you just want a touch up shave before going out or dial it up if you did not shave all weekend, etc. As stated above the blade angle does not change on most razors just the amount of exposure.

 

[celestino]

Adjustables don't particularly change the blade angle, they change the blade gap. The advantage is that you can get just the degree of aggressiveness that you like. Merkur is well known for their Progress and Futur razors both of which are liked by a lot of users. Both are more aggressive than a Gillette Tech, on their mildest settings and can be very aggressive, especially the Futur. Most users do not adjust the razor during the shave, but some do, and it can work, if you have problems shaving a particular area. I always recommend one of these to a new shaver since they can fine tune the razor to their face and technique. On the other hand some people suggest starting with a fixed razor and learning how to use it first. YMMV.

+1 Some great advice, here! Good luck, but if you are getting great shaves with the EJ89, i would not change anything.
If you really want another razor, i would highly recommend the Progress.

 

[Gingerbread]

Some spots of your face benefit from a little bit less or more blade exposure.

 

[dcobranchi]

The Gillette adjustables are terrific razors. You could probably pick up a Slim on the BST for $30 or so.

 

[chilliman64]

what they said...

oh, and get a slim adjustable - you won't be sorry!

 

[Gary H]

+1 on the slim great razor.

 

[zetsui]

Which parts?

 

[Graybeard57]

I like my adjustable Gillette (Fat Boy) for the simple reason I can have the blade gap at its optimal setting for me.

 

[zetsui]

Some spots of your face benefit from a little bit less or more blade exposure.

Which parts?

 

[doofus]

Good morning old thread. How was your nap?

 

[emwolf]

I am absolutely a fool for adjustables. Favorite one in current production is the Progress, favorite vintage (that I've tried)is the Super. But of course, your mileage.....

 

[mr_houston]

I started with a Slim, because it was my fathers. I got it when he passed.

As you technique develops, get a slim so you can try out different levels of razor aggressiveness. You can use your slim at different settings to pick other razors that have a similar blade gap from this table: LINK I got the Muhle R89 (same head as yours), because it had a similar blade gap to my Slim on #4.

Your EJ89 is a great head design and one that I still use. It is a great place to start, and you may never leave it.