Slim on 3 works best for me. What else should be similar?

[Razor&Pens]

I've been doing the DE thing for a couple of months and so far the Gillette Slim Adjustable I got from my father (gold finish) set on 3, where I started with it, gives me great shaves and virtually no irritation.

Got a Fat Boy from him too, which is nearly as good but not quite, also set on 3. Schick injector worked well with one blade but not with the Rite-Aid brand. The first DE I used was labeled 'Diamond Edge' and came with 7:00 yellow blades and also gave a nice shave.

Got a couple of razors off the board and tried a ('70's style') black handle Super Speed. Killed me with a Bic blade. Slightly better with the Gillette yellow with which I had been successful but still enough bleeders that my kid asked about them.

Merkur long handle barber pole (with the Gillette yellow) was better, but I was still giving some blood.

Went back to the Slim yesterday and one could hear the angels singing! Day two here and I'm BBS again, with no blood.

I'd like your thoughts and suggestions on:
a) Why I might be having 'challenges' with these other razors,
b) What is it about the Slim that's probably making it work so well for me, and
c) What else would I be bound to like? (And if you have one for sale, PM me.)

Thanks,
Tom

 

[guru]

I had a slim but sold it, still have the Fatboy. I use it on 3, just like the Slim. I also don't use a black handle SS any more, now use a '47 SuperSpeed. I like the '40's style better. OK. I think the adjustables at 3 are similar to the SS. At 2 maybe similar to the Techs. I would try an old SS or a Tech. I like them better than my adjustables, but that you are getting great shaves with your Slim is terrific. Stay with that one, try a Tech.

 

[Rufust445]

Slim Adj. @ 3 = Super Adj. @ 4.

Also, a Tech or a Schick Krona.

 

[kzoo1]

I'd like your thoughts and suggestions on:
a) Why I might be having 'challenges' with these other razors,
b) What is it about the Slim that's probably making it work so well for me, and
c) What else would I be bound to like? (And if you have one for sale, PM me.)

Thanks,
Tom

a) - your challenges with other razors could be an angle/technique issue...
b) - the slim is a gentle shaver, much like the superspeeds, your technique is probably suited towards this razor for now
c) - eventually, as your technique improves you will probably enjoy all of the razors you have listed above.

I highly recommend trying different blades in all of your razors, some blades work well in one razor- but not in another. I found that the Chinese Injector blades from "the auction site" work very well for me.

Enjoy the shaves!

 

[jpkunst]

You could try a Schick Krona.

 

[Oldguy]

Hello Tom,
The slim at a 3 is pretty much average and close to everything else you've tried. I would suggest looking into different blades. Try the red Personna to start. That's a very smooth blade. If you're getting blood with the Merkur then either your blade or your technique is bad. Why don't you consider using a pre-shave oil until you get everything right. I use AoS. The Den in Peddlars Village near New Hope has the complete AoS line.
Yesterday I tried a Schick injector for the first time in about 30 years. I bought the Rite Aid injector blades to start. The cartridge was so poorly made the blades didn't even line up to insert. Ended up in the trash. The Schick yellow pack made in China was perfect. Gave me a great shave.

Len

 

[Razor&Pens]

Folks,

This is helpful.

I think the adjustables at 3 are similar to the SS. At 2 maybe similar to the Techs. I would try an old SS or a Tech. I like them better than my adjustables, but that you are getting great shaves with your Slim is terrific. Stay with that one, try a Tech.

Well, the slim and fatboy at 3 work for me much better than the SS. I believe I have an open-comb Tech, which I will try.

Slim Adj. @ 3 = Super Adj. @ 4.

Also, a Tech or a Schick Krona.

Know a source for a Super Adjustable or a Krona? Gotta feed the RAD while working through this. <g>

a) - your challenges with other razors could be an angle/technique issue...
b) - the slim is a gentle shaver, much like the superspeeds, your technique is probably suited towards this razor for now
c) - eventually, as your technique improves you will probably enjoy all of the razors you have listed above.

I highly recommend trying different blades in all of your razors, some blades work well in one razor- but not in another. I found that the Chinese Injector blades from "the auction site" work very well for me.

Yeah, I hate to admit to myself that I've been at this for less than 3 months. I'll put the other razors aside for a while and get back to them.

My experiments with different razors was so unpleasant last week that I may stick to the SA while trying different blades. But who knows. I'm gun shy right now, but I'll forget the pain soon.

You could try a Schick Krona.

Added to wish list!

The slim at a 3 is pretty much average and close to everything else you've tried. I would suggest looking into different blades. Try the red Personna to start. That's a very smooth blade. If you're getting blood with the Merkur then either your blade or your technique is bad. Why don't you consider using a pre-shave oil until you get everything right. I use AoS. The Den in Peddlars Village near New Hope has the complete AoS line.
Yesterday I tried a Schick injector for the first time in about 30 years. I bought the Rite Aid injector blades to start. The cartridge was so poorly made the blades didn't even line up to insert. Ended up in the trash. The Schick yellow pack made in China was perfect. Gave me a great shave.

Great to know there is someplace nearby to get something better than what the drug chains carry. AoS Sandalwood is one of my favorite creams. Tried the oil once though, and thought it was kind of gross. May need to give it another shot as I hone my technique with each new razor though. Yeah, the injector worked great when I used it with one of the leftover blades my dad had given me with the razor. And I do have Schick yellow pack blades I got from drugstore.com.

Worst case is that I'm still loving the shaves from the slim adjustable!

-Tom

 

[ctakim]

If you like the slim, you will probably like the super adjustable. I would recommend the long handle for variety. I would peruse the B/S/T as my first stop to look for a quality condition razor at a decent price. Try posting a Want To Buy thread for whatever you are looking for. Good luck! Watch out for RAD setting in!

 

[Stubblefield]

Slim Adj. @ 3 = Super Adj. @ 4.

Also, a Tech or a Schick Krona.

You read my mind.

 

[Razor&Pens]

If you like the slim, you will probably like the super adjustable. I would recommend the long handle for variety. I would peruse the B/S/T as my first stop to look for a quality condition razor at a decent price. Try posting a Want To Buy thread for whatever you are looking for. Good luck! Watch out for RAD setting in!

Long handle super adjustable is at the top of my wish list.

What was this one, by the way?

Slim Adj. @ 3 = Super Adj. @ 4.

Also, a Tech or a Schick Krona.

Krona on it's way. Have a travel Tech that arrived today. Will have to look out for the regular one(s). <g>

I think that I don't have to look out for the RAD - it's here!

 

[blantyre]

Krona, Wilkinson sticky (maybe closer to a 2!), Fatboy on 3 if you like a bigger razor. I also find the late 1940s Aristocrats to be pleasantly mild.

 

[Walt Whitman]

I have shaved with the Merkur Long Handle Barber Pole and the Slim Adjustable set on 3. According to the B&B wiki on aggressiveness comparison, the Slim at 3 and the Merkur 38c are very close in aggressiveness. I use a Derby Extra in both and get hardly any blood with both these set ups. Try a Derby in the Merkur 38c and see if that doesn't help stop the bleeding.

Another thing I have noticed with these two razors is the shape and size of the razor head make the razor sit completely differently on your face, and consequently, the angle you shave. Therefore, to get the angle right requires a technique adjustment to compensate for the difference. I initially started using the Merkur 38c and was getting great shaves by the second week. A bout of RAD got me and I bought the Slim. (It is great to shave with a razor that was produced 50 years ago!) Anyway, when I began shaving with the Slim, I used the same technique as I used with the Merkur, and got a less than adequate shave. Since I began paying much closer attention to the angle, which changes the way I hold the razor, my shaves have gotten much better.

Also, the weight of these two razors is very different, which also has to be accounted for in technique, angle and grip.

I have got a Fatboy on the way. Now, I have more technique to adjust.

Best of luck with your technique and RAD.

 

[Razor&Pens]

Another thing I have noticed with these two razors is the shape and size of the razor head make the razor sit completely differently on your face, and consequently, the angle you shave. Therefore, to get the angle right requires a technique adjustment to compensate for the difference.... Since I began paying much closer attention to the angle, which changes the way I hold the razor, my shaves have gotten much better.

Best of luck with your technique and RAD.

Yup. I've been paying attention to the angle and that is 90% of the answer apparently.

The technique is improving. The RAD is hopeless.
-Tom

 

[rsp1202]

Looking at the B&B wiki, it lists the Gillette Rocket, Schick Krona, Gillette '40s SS, and Schick L-type injector as least to most aggressive. Subjectively, to me, the injector was mildest (an N-type gives me the best shaves), followed by the Krona. The real surprise was the Rocket being listed before the Schicks. It's kinda puzzling.