Something up? Huge difference between my 195 and Slim….

[Retroman1969]

Morning guys!
When I found my old 1964 Slim in a box, I decided to use it, but was immediately reminded why it turned me off of old Gillette razors for awhile years ago.
While my recently purchased 1959 195 Fatboy is incredibly smooth, comfortable and effective to use, an all around pleasure, my old Slim was the opposite experience. Set on “2” (one notch below my 195) it was an incredibly harsh bloody experience, basically just as I remember it.
Very strange. I’ve looked in vain for gap or blade alignment issues and the adjustment mechanism seems to be working fine, but could be something I’m missing.
I’m assuming the shave experience should be similar between the Slim and Fatboy, so I’m guessing something must be off with that Slim.

 

[FarmerTan]

It's funny, but I prefer the Slim to the Fatboy. I just never got comfortable with the Fatboy. Of course, it might have been an alignment issue with it?

 

[Retroman1969]

Equally harsh to use on both sides, yet nothing looks off to me.

 

[Barrington Stanley]

Seems odd? I have a Slim G4 Aristocrat and a Slim L2, I usually set mine at 4 for a 48 hour beard, dialing down to 3 for ATG.
I dont like an aggressive razor but I'm happy at a 7 setting for heavier growth.
Sounds like something is amiss and it my need stripped and rebuilt.

 

[cf1]

Alignment doesn't look off. How is clamping? Is there chatter/movement in the Slim most noticeable ATG?

I had a Slim and have a Fatboy. They shaved very similar to me. I liked the handle and weight balance on FB and kept that.

 

[FarmerTan]

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Equally harsh to use on both sides, yet nothing looks off to me.

Looks right to me... Lol, I would have to blame the common denominator if I was forced to.....

My Face! But seriously, I think all things being equal, my face might be incredibly handsome, but it is a choosey face.

 

[HazMat Shaver]

I need to start comparing my Slim and Fatboy. I've never shaved with both at the same time. Another fun thing to try! But I'd think they should shave about the same.

 

[Grundi]

I have both a Fatboy and a Slim and prefer the Slim (the balance, and it's ever so slightly less aggressive). I'm very satisfied with the shaves that both of these give me. I'm set the Fatboy to either 3 or 4, and the Slim to either 4 or 5, depending on the blade and number of uses.

 

[CCS]

I've got a '63 Slim incoming later this week. I've had my '61 195 for years and find it a good, if not somewhat bulky, razor. I'm just curious to try a Slim as I haven't before. I usually use the 195 between 2-5 as I prefer milder razors. The seller (who is very active on Etsy) assures me the Slim is in excellent condition and is properly functioning. If it comes Thursday, I'll give it whirl on Friday and report the results somewhere on B&B.

 

[Retroman1969]

Thank you for your thoughts on this, it might be a good candidate for professional restoration or trying my hand at taking one of these apart.
Fortunately my 195 is so good it redeemed vintage Gillette razors for me.
I’m also thoroughly enjoying my Tech which is now in the rotation. (A rotation of 2, but still a rotation, LOL!)
I can’t sell or even give away the Slim knowing it has a problem, but I’ll update if I try digging into it.

 

[Invicta]

Very strange. I’ve looked in vain for gap or blade alignment issues and the adjustment mechanism seems to be working fine, but could be something I’m missing.

Just for clarity, does the blade tray move up and down as you move the adjuster ring through the range?

 

[LMcC]

It may also be worth pulling up the blade gap chart for your slim and checking with feeler gauges.

 

[Rob72]

It may also be worth pulling up the blade gap chart for your slim and checking with feeler gauges.

Agreed. The Slim certainly should not be harsher than the 195. I would suspect a thread timing set issue.

 

[BanjoCowboyMartaTobes]

Adjustable blade gap chart. Adjustable Razor Blade Gaps – Gillette Adjustable Razors - https://gilletteadjustable.com/misc-2/adjustable-razor-blade-gaps/

 

[Rosseforp]

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Equally harsh to use on both sides, yet nothing looks off to me.

Nothing looks off, but that razor sure looks like it could use a tune-up. It doesn't take much of a hit to knock the guard out of alignment.
I had to do some major work on my Fatboy to get it aligned and to shave properly, and I still prefer my Slim, set on #4.


~doug~

 

[TheVez2]

I’m assuming the shave experience should be similar between the Slim and Fatboy, so I’m guessing something must be off with that Slim.

I had assumed the same thing, but I have several of each and each Fatboy shaves great, but I just don't seem to get along with the Slims.

 

[kingfisher]

The Fatboy is just a better razor. [puts on flame-retardant suit]


But seriously, I think it is quite a bit smoother, although the difference you are describing seems outside of the norm. I agree with the others that there is probably something not quite right about your Slim.

On the other hand, if you have a Fatboy that works and a Tech, you don't even need the Slim.

 

[CCS]

My '63 Slim arrives today. A totally unnecessary purchase but I was curious. Unless the mail comes early, it would get used until tomorrow. Seller assures razor is very clean (looked so in the photos) and working 100% (I'll be the judge of that). This will give me 8 vintage Gillettes instead of 7 and round out my razor collection to 10. Not bad for 50 years of shaving.

 

[LMcC]

The Fatboy is just a better razor. [puts on flame-retardant suit]


But seriously, I think it is quite a bit smoother, although the difference you are describing seems outside of the norm. I agree with the others that there is probably something not quite right about your Slim.

On the other hand, if you have a Fatboy that works and a Tech, you don't even need the Slim.

I’ve only had a Fatboy for a couple months, and I’ve had a slim for almost 2 years, but I have to say the slim, for me, is a better shaver - better balance, head isn’t as bulky (easier to shave around the nose), and is ever so slightly more efficient. I prefer the girth and length of the Fatboy to the slim (y’all get your minds out of the gutter), and I like that it’s much easier to disassemble the Fatboy. But the slim is both smoother and more efficient in my personal experience. I’m wondering if the OP’s slim might be a whole turn of the dial out of whack.

 

[CCS]

I got the Slim in today's mail and will be giving it a try out shortly using the same settings as I do on my 195. Will report back later. It looks like it's in excellent adjustment as is my 195 so there should be more in common than less. We shall see...