Am relatively new to wet shaving (12 months). I bought a DE starter kit which comprised of a synthetic brush, EJ DE89 and a sample pack of blades. Was ok but wasn’t getting the shave I wanted. Discovered adjustables and now have a FB, Slim and 2 Black Beauties. Question is which one to keep. One has a metal base plate ‘69, while the other has a plastic base plate ‘80 I think. Which Black Beauty would you keep ?
To keep or not to keep
- Thread starter Doti B
- Start date
Everything else being equal, I'd keep the metal one.
- Thread starter
- #3
Any particular reason ?
I just like metal better than plastic.
- Thread starter
- #5
Me too. I believe the plastic base plate ones were the last ones Gillette produced.
If you have 2 black beauties, a 69, 80. Why not keep them both.
It sounds like your starting a collection of Gillette adjustables. I would keep both, as the different bases make them different. I would keep the two best shavers otherwise.
I agree perhaps you could hang on to both. That way there are no regrets down the road!
Keep them all IMHO!! They don’t take much room. 
+1. Once gone they are hard to get back.
Any reason why you feel the need to thin the heard?
Both
I say keep for now. If you ever find yourself hoarding safety razors/brushes like most of us here, you can always purge the den later to help finance another shave purchase. 
I'd say keep them all, but if I had to ditch one it would be the plastic-base Black Beauty.
It would be the one that is least likely to tolerate stuff like boiling, solvents, etc. if the need arose.
It would be the one that is least likely to tolerate stuff like boiling, solvents, etc. if the need arose.
I'd keep the metal one. The only reason why I have the plastic base is because of my birth year.
Keep both, they don't eat much.
The 1980 Black Beauty would be the least desireable but may be worth keeping for a future trade. It is also of lower build quality as the plastic will get brittle.
Yep, well said.
Are you keeping the DE89?
