The Lure of Adjustables

[Fillifan]

I have been a straight user all my adult life, but every so often in a hurry, I will use a safety razor and most always use one on my lower neck. Here are a couple I have great shaves with, both set to lowest settings. I cannot imagine a better shave for someone with a fine to medium beard and lots of wrinkles.

The Gibbs, by the way, was bought at the Galleries Lafayette in Paris in 1960. At the time I had a stash of blades for it, but now I make my own. It is an extremely well made gadget. The Rex Ambassador is in my opinion, the most beautifully made SR I have seen and works flawlessly, though it is expensive. I wonder why people search for the holy grail of non adjustable razors when the Rex seems to hit the mark in some many ways. But, again, I am not a safety razor user in any sort of regular way, so my experience is limited.

 

[dunadan]

The Gibbs, by the way, was bought at the Galleries Lafayette in Paris in 1960

Wow, it’s awesome that you’ve had it since then. What did it cost at retail back then?

 

[Whiterook]

I've had my Rex Ambassador for five years now and it is a favorite razor of mine. Some find that it has too much blade feel, not so for me. Rex pricing has gone up and there are cheaper Gibbs clones on the market now.

I also have a vintage Gibbs No 15 which shaves very well, but is a bit too top heavy for my taste.

 

[dotKomo]

It's not a SE, but the OliWorks OliBlade is a great and affordable DE designed like the Rex Ambassador. SS and made in the US and can be had for around $150.

Unfortunately, they are now either sold out, or something else is going on, as the razors are currently not available.

I was fortunate enough to get one at a discount in July and I think it's my holy grail razor. There is also an OliBade Lover Association of which I am a proud member.

 

[Ckmaui]

I was one of those rex was way way to much blade feel for me
I loved the industrial design feel and look and the handle is the best grippiest design of any razor I have held

want to try the Tatara adjustable though

 

[cranewarrior]

I've been using a Yaqi Final Cut and love it. I love it so much, I bought an OliBlade as an upgrade... But I have yet to open the box, since the Yaqi is working so well.

 

[sandstorm99]

I've had my Rex Ambassador for five years now and it is a favorite razor of mine. Some find that it has too much blade feel, not so for me. Rex pricing has gone up and there are cheaper Gibbs clones on the market now.

I also have a vintage Gibbs No 15 which shaves very well, but is a bit too top heavy for my taste.

I acquired a Gillette Fatboy recently as my first adjustable and fell in love with it.
I am increasingly using slants as my go-to non-adjustable razor; recently, I have been thinking of getting the Rex Konsul. Would you happen to have any experience with that? How does it compare to the beloved Ambassador?

 

[Whiterook]

I acquired a Gillette Fatboy recently as my first adjustable and fell in love with it.
I am increasingly using slants as my go-to non-adjustable razor; recently, I have been thinking of getting the Rex Konsul. Would you happen to have any experience with that? How does it compare to the beloved Ambassador?

Sorry, but I have never used a Consul. It looks interesting, though.

 

[kingfisher]

I acquired a Gillette Fatboy recently as my first adjustable and fell in love with it.
I am increasingly using slants as my go-to non-adjustable razor; recently, I have been thinking of getting the Rex Konsul. Would you happen to have any experience with that? How does it compare to the beloved Ambassador?

Supposedly, it is smoother than the Ambassador, with less blade feel.