I have a Gillette Black Handle Adjustable. I have read here on the forum that you have to loosen the handle, then adjust, then retighten the handle. I have always just adjusted, and I can clearly see the guard go up and down when I adjust, exposing more blade. Is there something else that happens when you loosen before adjusting, or can you damage the razor by not loosening the handle?
Super Adjustable Question
- Thread starter Blondie
- Start date
it can damage/break the spring for the adjustment mechanism, having too much pressure on it. always best to be safer than sorry, especially with 40+ year old thin pieces of metal 
R
rainman
Yes it can be adjusted with the TTO knob loose or tightened. It is strongly believed that it messes up the razor to adjust while the knob is in the tightened position.
I have a reproduction of the original instructions for the Super Adjustable. It does not mention anything about this topic.
I have a reproduction of the original instructions for the Super Adjustable. It does not mention anything about this topic.
When you change the adjustment, the mechanism moves under the head and closed doors. If you are adjusting down (from 5 to 1, say) then the "bed" that the blade sits on is moving away from the doors. If you are adjusting up (from 4 to 9, say) then that bed is moving towards the doors. It's much easier to adjust and won't strip threads or break anything if you loosen the doors a little to give the "bed" room to move.
If you don't care how long it lasts, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. (15,000 mile oil change interval and a 100,000 mile warranty means an engine that will only last for 120,000 miles...)
If you don't care how long it lasts, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. (15,000 mile oil change interval and a 100,000 mile warranty means an engine that will only last for 120,000 miles...)
If you are able to adjust the level up without opening the doors, then you didn't have the doors closed tight to begin with.
I've seen the mechanism being blocked because of the blade vs closed door. I wouldn't recommend doing that as mentioned, it might damage the razor.
yeah, I've seen that too, and am quite surprised.
However, there is a lot of tension on the thin, 40+ year old spring...wanna risk it?
I have adjusted with the doors closed, there's a lot of tension, and I didn't push it.
Conventional wisdom = adjust with doors open
your call whether to do so or not, but most folks do, right or wrong
