Which adjustable?

[Captain Planet]

Hi,

I'm using a Merkur 34C HD but I want to progress and look at more aggressive razors. I figured the best route would be to play with an adjustable so I can try varying degrees of aggressiveness. I'd like to know peoples opinions on such razors and what they would recommend.

I was looking at a vintage Gillette Super Adjustable.

Thoughts?

 

[DaveL]

Hi,

I'm using a Merkur 34C HD but I want to progress and look at more aggressive razors. I figured the best route would be to play with an adjustable so I can try varying degrees of aggressiveness. I'd like to know peoples opinions on such razors and what they would recommend.

I was looking at a vintage Gillette Super Adjustable.

Thoughts?

Both the Slim and Fatboy are really nice razors. I have both and while I don't plan on parting with either the Fatboy is a little nicer to my face. YMMV.

Keep an eye on the B/S/T here or check out ebay auctions. Just be careful on the bay, aggressive bidding can drive up prices.

 

[John Von Wuggz]

My Futur showed up this week and I love it. It is the upgrade from my Merkur 180 that I started with.

 

[alaskazimm]

Take a look also at the Mergress. It's a bit spendy but gives a great shave and is pretty highly regarded.

 

[Captain Planet]

I read that, despite being a very nice razor, the Futur can be quite cumbersome? If honest I am all but set on a vintage Gillette. However, I am open to suggestion of razors that people have had good experiences of. I have never read about the Mergress so I will take a look at that now

 

[Charlie NJ]

The two that I like are the futur and the mergress, they are both big heavy razors. I like the weight and size of both, both give me great shaves. The futur is a more aggressive razor by far but set on 1 or 2 , it's a very nice shave for me. The mergress so far is my best shave, with any blade. First pass set on 4, than 2 or 3 to finish. This razor has no vises so far, the blade locks in better than the futur, I don't get any blade chatter or skipping. It is more forgiving also no weepers.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

If you like the head on the 34C, you will like the Progress even more. Mergress is nice, but I would save my money and just buy a Progress. Personally I prefer the Long Handle.

 

[jasonb8736]

My 2 cents...I have 2 Gillette Slims and a Super Adjustable. All great razors that I enjoy shaving with. However, my new long handled Mergress is outstanding. It's a bit pricey, but I must admit that I'm very satisfied with it and use it the majority of the time.

That said...I'm still seeking out a Fatboy. I'm pathetic...

 

[shevek]

I use a Gillette Super Adjustable and a progress and am very satisfied with both. My progress did need some tweaking to fix the alignment of the adjustment dial but there are very good youtube videos on this subject. The progress was my first razor and I happily used it daily for 2 years before getting the gillette from ebay a month ago. I can definitely sense a difference in the character of the shave in that the Gillette feels slim and smooth while the Progress is thicker with more weight. Both very high quality and I'm glad to have these two options.

 

[santamariasteve]

My favorite is the Gillette Fat Boy set on 5 with a Feather blade. I even like it slightly better than my Apollo Mikron.[/B][/SIZE]

 

[Alanon]

IMHO, go with the Slim Adjustable. I've not had any experience with the Fat Boy, but I fear such a short handle. On the other hand, the Black Beauty is perfectly long-handled, but has plastic/rubber on it. A big no-no. Build quality is just not on the same level. I have a squeaky Beauty that looks and sounds more like an old lady. With the adjustable settings, they will all give excellent shaves. Which is why you should go with the prettiest. xD

All this goes for vintage. I have no interest or knowledge on contemporary machines. YMMV.

 

[shevek]

To clarify, the Black Beauty does not have plastic/rubber on the handle. It is metal with black paint. The quality IMO is quite good. Some of the later models do have black plastic under the head though, but never on the handle. Mine is from '69 and is 100% metal.

 

[brucered]

Try a Slim. They re a best buy when it comes to adjustsbles and vintage razors.

They can regularly be had for $30-35 in very good shape and shipped to our door on the BST.

like them so much, I have obtained 4 over a couple years and would lady pick up more if given e chance....they are that good.

it outshaves my Fatboy.

 

[bosseb]

This:

Get the whole gang!
Bosse

 

[Rothman]

I have not tried an adjustable yet though, I have a vintage slim on the way. It seems that the progress is very hard to beat in this category. I have not seen a bad review for it yet. I love open combs and that's probably where I'll stay so, I decided to spend less money and get the slim to try out the adjustable category. Also, I have a thing for anything that's vintage/antique. It makes me feel grounded when I use something that's 2-3 times older than I am.

 

[brucered]

the TTO on the the vintage gillettes is so nice to use and they really are built like tanks.

 

[finallygotaDE]

I'm in the market for my first adjustable, I think I've decided to purchase a Gillette Slim. Now I'm just searching for the right one, I'm very picky about condition. I like to shave with a MINT razor that's 55+ years old, there is just something about it that I really enjoy.

 

[targa88]

the TTO on the the vintage gillettes is so nice to use and they really are built like tanks.

I would completely agree.

Haven't tried a Super Adjustable yet... but based on my experience with Fatboy & Slim...why did they stop making them....

 

[brucered]

I would completely agree.

Haven't tried a Super Adjustable yet... but based on my experience with Fatboy & Slim...why did they stop making them....

probably because they DID last forever and were built like tanks. people could buy them and have them last for years without upgrading. first the 2 blade, then 3, then 4, then 5....not sure if they are up to 6 blades yet, but you get the idea.

 

[Invicta]

The short handled Progress would be a nice razor to have. I have the a super slim adjustable (1968 I think) but I prefer the Progress. I have to admit they have not had equal shaving time so I might be a tad biased. There are plenty of super slim adjustables' about so you should be able to get a user grade for a reasonable price.
Fatboy prices are ridiculous at the moment and a few black beauties do come up.