I have my first adjustable razor (Slim) on it's way... I have never used one yet, up until now I've been using a 38C. Any suggestions?
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Newbie to Adjustables - Any Suggestions?
- Thread starter christopherh
- Start date
Umm Superspeed isn't adjustable....
Either you mean Slim Adjustable or Super Adjustable pehaps ........ or you mean your first TTO ( Twist To Open )
See my sig re the most common adjustables ( slim and fatboy ) as well as some general adjustable "tips ".
That might help you
Either you mean Slim Adjustable or Super Adjustable pehaps ........ or you mean your first TTO ( Twist To Open )
See my sig re the most common adjustables ( slim and fatboy ) as well as some general adjustable "tips ".
That might help you
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maybe you meant super adj. That is my fave razor. Start at 1, just like your Merkur there. Now with your WTG passes each shave go up a number to your comfort level. Your ATG passes should be lower than WTG. For instance I am now at a 9 WTG but my ATG passes are at 3.
You will find what you like, that is the joy of having an adjustable.
You will find what you like, that is the joy of having an adjustable.
- Thread starter
- #4
You got me... I told you I was new to adjustables... 
It's a Slim Adjustable.
It's a Slim Adjustable.
Umm Superspeed isn't adjustable....
Either you mean Slim Adjustable or Super Adjustable pehaps ........ or you mean your first TTO ( Twist To Open )
See my sig re the most common adjustables ( slim and fatboy ) as well as some general adjustable "tips ".
That might help you
start low and work your way up.
Congrats on the slim adjustable, it's a great razor (as is the Fat Boy, BTW). I'd say the place to start depends alot on your beard type and what your experience has been thus far with your Merkur and preferred blade choice so far. For example, if your beard is fine or thin, try starting off with a low number, like 1 or 2. If it's hard , thick or wiry, try starting off at 3 and work your way up if you need to. Some folks find that they like to adjust the razor up or down on each successive pass.
I've personally found that for my beard, which is a little on the tough side but not especially dense, setting the razor at 5 has generally worked great for me. However, with some of the sharper blades, like Gillette yellows, I've had to dial down a bit. It's all about experimentation.
Oh, two other things: (1) Be sure you have the razor doors OPEN before trying to adjust the setting, or you may break the mechanism; and (2) after closing the doors, twist the handle another 1/4 turn to lock the mechanism.
Here's to many great shaves with a great razor!
I've personally found that for my beard, which is a little on the tough side but not especially dense, setting the razor at 5 has generally worked great for me. However, with some of the sharper blades, like Gillette yellows, I've had to dial down a bit. It's all about experimentation.
Oh, two other things: (1) Be sure you have the razor doors OPEN before trying to adjust the setting, or you may break the mechanism; and (2) after closing the doors, twist the handle another 1/4 turn to lock the mechanism.
Here's to many great shaves with a great razor!
I'd start with 3
then get a gillette new open comb razor after you've mastered the slim
then get a gillette new open comb razor after you've mastered the slim
- Thread starter
- #9
Thank you all the great advice (as usual). 
I hope it shows up in the mail today... I can't wait to give it a shot!
I hope it shows up in the mail today... I can't wait to give it a shot!
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I don't know your beard hair, so depending on the blade, start with a low setting - you always can go up. When I use KAI blades or Feathers, I like to use 2 as my setting, the 7 o'clock's are normally a 3 and Personna, Derby etc I can go up to 5 - these are all for WTG. If I do ATG I go one or two settings lower - just to be safe (experience!!).
).
I started at 3 and went all the way to 7.
Found that 5 was a good number for me.
Found that 5 was a good number for me.
- Thread starter
- #12
So it turns out this adjustable thing is going to take some getting used to...
My first shave I started at 5 and thought - hmmm... I think I can go a little higher. I ended up at 7 for my WTG and got a little too excited and used the 7 ATG (twice)
Well, I thought I got a GREAT shave until about an hour later when I looked in the mirror and my neck was raw...
So I've been playing with the adjustments for the past couple of days... so far I think 7 WTG and 3 ATG is working pretty well. I can see why people like the slim adjustables so much... being able to customize my shave is really nice!
Thanks again for all of the good advice!
My first shave I started at 5 and thought - hmmm... I think I can go a little higher. I ended up at 7 for my WTG and got a little too excited and used the 7 ATG (twice)
Well, I thought I got a GREAT shave until about an hour later when I looked in the mirror and my neck was raw...
So I've been playing with the adjustments for the past couple of days... so far I think 7 WTG and 3 ATG is working pretty well. I can see why people like the slim adjustables so much... being able to customize my shave is really nice!
Thanks again for all of the good advice!
You've become a poster child for the people who recommend against giving adjustables to newbies!
Choose a setting and leave it there for a few days to adjust to it (so to speak). When you change the adjustment, do it one click at a time.
- Chris
[Edit: I guess if you've survived the first few days this will fall on deaf ears anyhow. I don't think I've ever heard of using that wide a variation between settings in a given shave session though.]
!Choose a setting and leave it there for a few days to adjust to it (so to speak). When you change the adjustment, do it one click at a time.
- Chris
[Edit: I guess if you've survived the first few days this will fall on deaf ears anyhow. I don't think I've ever heard of using that wide a variation between settings in a given shave session though.]
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- Thread starter
- #14
Sounds like I've set some sort of a record!
You've become a poster child for the people who recommend against giving adjustables to newbies
Choose a setting and leave it there for a few days to adjust to it (so to speak). When you change the adjustment, do it one click at a time.
- Chris
[Edit: I guess if you've survived the first few days this will fall on deaf ears anyhow. I don't think I've ever heard of using that wide a variation between settings in a given shave session though.]
I do the same also. Start out on the aggressive side of the scale, and dial it back the closer and closer of a shave I get to with each pass.
Hi there, new adjustable user,
Fun aren't they? Heh, I'm being a little sarcastic after reading you'd gone ATG twice on #7. Yowieee.
You've received mostly good advice from other members, and let me just add my own thoughts on Gillette adjustable razors. I've used every model many times, so I'm pretty familiar with these things.
Ok, first of all, the main(and most wonderful) aspect of an adjustable razor is the ability to find the perfect balance. What balance is that? Here, let me give you an example.
I'm not familiar with that model Merkur you own....never shaved with any Merkur razors. However, the most popular model by far(HD)seems to have about the same amount of aggression as a Gillette set on #5. I've read about those razors for years now, and that is pretty close to the number according to most members.
Now that's fine for many wet shavers, and that particular 'fixed setting' suits a wide range of people. Done deal, and then it's just a question of finding the right blade for the thing. Sounds good eh?
I've used maybe 25-30 different types of razors, and have come to understand that I prefer a razor on the mild side. I find that a (relatively) forgiving Tech, or an adjustable set on #3 works best.....along with a very sharp blade. I've also used more aggressive razors with mild(and sharper) blades, but the results aren't nearly as satisfying.
Believe it or not, most shavers who use adjustables treat em as a fixed blade type. Seriously, once the ideal BALANCE of a good blade with the correct razor setting is found.......done deal once again. Now it's the same results as that Merkur, but here's the idea behind this whole post.
I love the way a fatboy looks and feels.............it's one of my two favorite razors of all the ones I've tried. It's a favorite because I'll shave with that for weeks at a time, and get a very comfortable and close shave. There's reasons for that, but I won't get into it now.
If that fatboy was set to #5........like permanently..........that razor wouldn't be used nearly as often. It wouldn't be as comfortable, even though the shave itself would still be a close one. I wouldn't enjoy using this razor nearly as much. The balance would be off. It would be like using an Aristocrat, which probably means nothing to you, but for other members reference.
You'll read about members who switch settings between passes, or some that start on settings anywhere from 1-9........and they all have their reasons. Heh, some I think are just flat wrong, and others I understand what they're doing. For most users though, the razor setting is 'fixed' on whatever the individual magic # is. That's a huge benefit, and I wish that option was available in other razors (open combs for example). Some of those look amazing, but I can only use em once in a while.
So, I'd imagine that if you like your Merkur shave, then set the slim on #5 or so. Personally, I'd suggest #3 for anyone new to a Gillette...it's a very popular number for lots of us. Whatever you decide on, leave it there a few weeks. It may take that long to really get a feel for that setting, and how it works with a couple different blades.
Sheeesh, what a blabbermouth! Turns out there wasn't a good way to say this with less typing. Keep in mind this is just how things look to me, and maybe some part of this will help somehow.
Martin
Fun aren't they? Heh, I'm being a little sarcastic after reading you'd gone ATG twice on #7. Yowieee.
You've received mostly good advice from other members, and let me just add my own thoughts on Gillette adjustable razors. I've used every model many times, so I'm pretty familiar with these things.
Ok, first of all, the main(and most wonderful) aspect of an adjustable razor is the ability to find the perfect balance. What balance is that? Here, let me give you an example.
I'm not familiar with that model Merkur you own....never shaved with any Merkur razors. However, the most popular model by far(HD)seems to have about the same amount of aggression as a Gillette set on #5. I've read about those razors for years now, and that is pretty close to the number according to most members.
Now that's fine for many wet shavers, and that particular 'fixed setting' suits a wide range of people. Done deal, and then it's just a question of finding the right blade for the thing. Sounds good eh?
I've used maybe 25-30 different types of razors, and have come to understand that I prefer a razor on the mild side. I find that a (relatively) forgiving Tech, or an adjustable set on #3 works best.....along with a very sharp blade. I've also used more aggressive razors with mild(and sharper) blades, but the results aren't nearly as satisfying.
Believe it or not, most shavers who use adjustables treat em as a fixed blade type. Seriously, once the ideal BALANCE of a good blade with the correct razor setting is found.......done deal once again. Now it's the same results as that Merkur, but here's the idea behind this whole post.
I love the way a fatboy looks and feels.............it's one of my two favorite razors of all the ones I've tried. It's a favorite because I'll shave with that for weeks at a time, and get a very comfortable and close shave. There's reasons for that, but I won't get into it now.
If that fatboy was set to #5........like permanently..........that razor wouldn't be used nearly as often. It wouldn't be as comfortable, even though the shave itself would still be a close one. I wouldn't enjoy using this razor nearly as much. The balance would be off. It would be like using an Aristocrat, which probably means nothing to you, but for other members reference.
You'll read about members who switch settings between passes, or some that start on settings anywhere from 1-9........and they all have their reasons. Heh, some I think are just flat wrong, and others I understand what they're doing. For most users though, the razor setting is 'fixed' on whatever the individual magic # is. That's a huge benefit, and I wish that option was available in other razors (open combs for example). Some of those look amazing, but I can only use em once in a while.
So, I'd imagine that if you like your Merkur shave, then set the slim on #5 or so. Personally, I'd suggest #3 for anyone new to a Gillette...it's a very popular number for lots of us. Whatever you decide on, leave it there a few weeks. It may take that long to really get a feel for that setting, and how it works with a couple different blades.
Sheeesh, what a blabbermouth! Turns out there wasn't a good way to say this with less typing. Keep in mind this is just how things look to me, and maybe some part of this will help somehow.
Martin
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- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks for the help. I think I'll dial it down a bit and try that for a while and see what happens. The only thing worse than not achieving BBS is a blazing red neck!
- Thread starter
- #18
So I took L Martino's advice and dialed down my slim adjustable to 4 and left it there for both WTG and ATG passes... WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I can't believe what great shaves I've gotten 2 days in a row. I thought my Merkur 38C gave the best shaves possible. After these past 2 days, I'm starting to think the slim adjustable may be my favorite...
