Poor Mans Adjustable Razor

[Masterblaster]

Why buy an aggressive razor like a Slant?
Why buy an adjustable razor ?

You can just modify your 3-piece razor. If it's not aggressive enough then just loosen the handle half a turn. That mild little razor will then be super-aggressive like a slant.

I've been doing this for a month or so now. I shave on my neck/chin/upper lip as usual.

But to get that super-close check and jaw treatment I loosen the handle on the razor half a turn.

It works great. But be warned when you make the razor more aggressive it should be used carefully. A similar warning goes out for any aggressive razor.

using this technique I have been getting some incredibly great shaves.

 

[jholme9]

Why buy an aggressive razor like a Slant?
Why buy an adjustable razor ?

You can just modify your 3-piece razor. If it's not aggressive enough then just loosen the handle half a turn. That mild little razor will then be super-aggressive like a slant.

I've been doing this for a month or so now. I shave on my neck/chin/upper lip as usual.

But to get that super-close check and jaw treatment I loosen the handle on the razor half a turn.

It works great. But be warned when you make the razor more aggressive it should be used carefully. A similar warning goes out for any aggressive razor.

using this technique I have been getting some incredibly great shaves.

I've only been at this a few weeks, but that sounds incredibly dangerous...

 

[SUNA]

Whatever floats your boat...I wouldn't. I prefer a secured blade.

 

[jsrdrnr]

Do not try this at home!

 

[Snargle]

I tried this once...unintentionally!

I loosened the handle before I put the razor away to dry and forgot to tighten it back down the next time I used it. At first I thought "what's wrong with this #$@^$*@ blade?", but then I realized that the head was loose. Fortunately, I was using a light touch and other than a little minor irritation, didn't cause any significant damage.

 

[scaevola]

This just screams 'put 911 on speed dial and have your SWMBO holding the phone watching you like a hawk' to me. Chemistry labs have taught me that it's better to use things as they are intended than to do dangerous jerry-rigging.

 

[Jeapeacock]

This just screams 'put 911 on speed dial and have you SWMBO holding the phone watching you like a hawk' to me. Chemistry labs have taught me that it's better to use things as they are intended than to do dangerous jerry-rigging.

But the blood adds cushion to the lather.


Seriously, have a loose handle or floppy blade = bad idea.

 

[Cheesehead Transplant]

I would think that shimming the blade would be a better idea and more stable.

 

[nate]

Loosen a quarter-turn to get a closer shave was, I thought, if not pretty common knowledge than at least fairly well-known. The blade does not become loose or unstable, but the shave gets nice and aggressive.

 

[mblakele]

I don't use this technique myself, but Muehle mentions it in the instruction booklet that comes with the R89. I understand that Gillette used to recommend it too, before they started making adjustable razors.

 

[miamimoe]

This seems interesting. However, I own 2 adjustables, a Progress which probably does not qualify as inexpensive, and a Gillette black superspeed that I picked up for $15.00 on the 'bay. How much more inexpensive do you want? While I am sure what you suggest can be done, and may be feasible with a light touch, it could also cause the head to turn while you are shaving, which I could see causing a deep nick.

 

[proxymoron]

You could always try making a shim out of plastic if you want to go beyond the recommended quarter turn.

 

[Go West Young Man]

It's doable, you just have to be EXTREMELY careful the whole time.

 

[ovrmnjake]

Loosen a quarter-turn to get a closer shave was, I thought, if not pretty common knowledge than at least fairly well-known. The blade does not become loose or unstable, but the shave gets nice and aggressive.

My understanding was that the quarter turn referred to TTOs, not three peice razors. I would think that would make a difference.

 

[woodfluter]

Gillette used to advocate this in the instruction leaflet that came with some razors, and also promoted this adjustment feature in their ads - from way back. I don't know but suspect that part of the reason for the flat platform and "fulcrum" design of the New Improved model was to increase the adjustability. It seems to have a broader range to me.

But I just don't like it. Handle rotates unexpectedly sometimes when I've tried it. Doesn't feel stable.

- Bill

 

[kingfisher]

Um, I would buy an adjustable razor because they ROCK!


Seriously. I had a Fatboy, which I really liked (but sold), and now I have a Slim, which I also really like.

Suit yourself, but I'd much rather have my Slim than be messing around with loosening the head on a Tech.

 

[csmorris]

I would be most worried about the head loosening or tightening as I shaved and having extremely variable results.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Most TTO DE razors sort of lock when all the way down and tight. They don't accidentally loosen up easily from that position. When you have not closed it all the way to the lock position, the TTO ring can work its way open on you, turning your "6"-ish unlocked DE into about a 37 on the 1-9 scale. Personally, I would only do that in an emergency, and carefully at that. Shimming would work, but why not just get an adjustable?

 

[Slash McCoy]

Oh, well, for a three-piece, maybe. But I would still rather shim, or better yet get an adjustable.

 

[michiganlover]

I would think that shimming the blade would be a better idea and more stable.

+1000

This whole business of loosening a quarter turn does seem at all safe to me.

If I wanted adjustability, I would just use an adjustable, like my $7.50 Super Adjustable, or $3 Slim Adjustable.