Finally got an adjustable! (or three)

Since the day I started using a DE razor (4 or 5 years ago) I've wanted to get an adjustable. A few days ago at the local antique shop I found these three... I couldn't help myself... I bought all of them:shrug:.

From left to right: 1975 V1 Gillette Super-109 Super adjustable, 1964 J3 Gillette Slim adjustable, 1963 I3 Gillette Slim adjustable. All three of them are in good condition (J3 has some chipped plating on the inside of the doors). The adjustment works perfectly on all three.

Attachment 153874

I can't believe it!


-Dan

I am jealous as hell! I have 3 DE razors but none are adjustable AND I WANT ONE. Can I ask how much they were?

Like busses, none in sight then 3 come at once!!! lol

A good haul indeed.

I have never had a vintage DE but I used to have a Merkur Progress. It was a great little shaver. Start with a higher setting for the first pass then reduce the setting to a milder setting for a great close comfortable shave. You'll be amazed how mild a setting you can use to get a close shave.

I prefer straights nowadays but I did enjoy the adjustable DE over my non adjustable.

Enjoy

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Can I ask how much they were?

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I have never had a vintage DE but I used to have a Merkur Progress. It was a great little shaver. Start with a higher setting for the first pass then reduce the setting to a milder setting for a great close comfortable shave. You'll be amazed how mild a setting you can use to get a close shave.

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I was about to buy a Merkur Progress, but I ended up getting these three for less. I tried the I3 Slim with a Feather blade on 5 for the first pass and 2 for the second pass, I am impressed! Being used to straight razors I might try to dial this thing up to 9, just to see what it's like!

-Dan

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Originally Posted by Danm

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I was about to buy a Merkur Progress, but I ended up getting these three for less. I tried the I3 Slim with a Feather blade on 5 for the first pass and 2 for the second pass, I am impressed! Being used to straight razors I might try to dial this thing up to 9, just to see what it's like!

-Dan

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Put your new razors up against the old ones and look at the gap to see whether they are mild or aggressive. It will also give you an idea of the different settings on the new vintage razors. My Merkur progress cranked wide open was horrible, nothing like a straight and it would cut you to pieces unless you had a real thick beard to remove.

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Put your new razors up against the old ones and look at the gap to see whether they are mild or aggressive. It will also give you an idea of the different settings on the new vintage razors. My Merkur progress cranked wide open was horrible, nothing like a straight and it would cut you to pieces unless you had a real thick beard to remove.

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Thanks for the heads up! I have a med/heavy beard. I'll make sure I have a week or two worth of growth before I give it a shot on 9!

Less can be better!!

While you have used DE’s in the past, you really are going into uncharted territory here!

Try using the adjustable at about ‘5’ with a day or two of beard, then see what you think!

Then let your beard grow for three or four days and increase the setting to maybe 7 and see how it goes.

If you find that you are comfortable with those settings, then ‘Perhaps’ a wide open throttle would work for you with a week or two of beard! :shrug:

I’d hate to see you make a major ‘AhhCrap’!:gaah:

You can always change the settings after experimenting!:tu

5 was definitely a good place to start since it gave me a fairly close, irritation free shave. I typically use a Feather in my 37C for several days worth of growth. I'll work my way up gradually on the Slim.

Nice catch, some beautiful razors.

Well done and congrats! I love my '66 Slim. I started on 3 and then did went up a notch each day until I had a shave at 9 to compare them. The Slim did great and "9" was a great shave. I now have settled on "6" for the most part with it. Everyone has their "spot".

Enjoy!

Bob

This mornings shave.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps4b0846e4.jpg

Nice find! They look to be in really great condition. I can't use adjustables, they drive me nuts. When I first used one all I would do is adjust it, shave adjust, shave adjust - insane, option's are not good for me.....
Nice shaves though if you can leave the dial alone, Haha!

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Originally Posted by Danm

5 was definitely a good place to start since it gave me a fairly close, irritation free shave. I typically use a Feather in my 37C for several days worth of growth. I'll work my way up gradually on the Slim.

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If you use a Slant with a Feather (a good combo :)) then you have nothing to worry about with the higher settings. ;)

Nice haul, BTW. Unlike Edmonton it looks like Regina still has some treasures to be found.

Trimmy. I fear I would fall victim to that. I'm terrible with decisions & would spite myself to no end to avoid them. Either that or I'd just keep it on the most aggressive setting & stubbornly battle though it forever!

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Originally Posted by Raulski

Trimmy. I fear I would fall victim to that. I'm terrible with decisions & would spite myself to no end to avoid them. Either that or I'd just keep it on the most aggressive setting & stubbornly battle though it forever!

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My Wife doesn't even like to go shopping with me, that's how bad I am, and I might only go every couple of years....
I like Ryan's setup a Slant with a Feather it's a great combo and one of my favorite razors.........now which razor do I want to use today..........hmmmmmm

Love it...longer attaboy when I'm not on an iPad!

Being encouraged by your post I just went and got my Merkur Progress out. Set it up on 3 with a brand new feather Stainless and off I went…

Had a good wash firstly then lathered up with TOBS Lavender. I used my Semogue owners club boar Brush to face lather. What a big brush it is, lather everywhere, tee hee, lather in my stache and ears but loving the scent of lavender filling my nostrils and sending soothing notes to my brain. Amazing.

First N/S pass with the Merkur set on three, I can feel the sharpness of the feather, slow and steady catchy monkey, then a wash and a re lather, there is enough for six passes in this massive brush but it doesn't hold much water (great for face lathering) so I dip the tips and make beautiful stiff peaks on my face with swirls before slapping the bristle in a painting motion on my neck and chin, I love the massage this brush gives. The merkur progress is set on 2 now so I go from ear to chin, on both side of my face and the same on my neck leaving a little lather level with the ears to go S to N up the sideburns…… Two pass clean as a whistle BSS….. Amazing… And I said I would never go back to a DE this beauty has just re-entered my rotation.

Finished off with Proraso sensitive skin balm (a great smell) especially when combined with TOBS No74 victorian lime cologne on the back of the neck and on the pulse points.

Shave of the Day…what a result…happy days….

OK here goes ... Great catch on those three!

My dad taught me to shave with a non-adjustable Gillette (1963-ish). His method was to open it a little where he needed to get a closer shave. I started with it tightly closed, then as I gained false confidence, I followed his lead and opened it a little resulting in toilet paper patches on my face. After seeing me that way a few times he gave me an adjustable like one of yours. It was probably 1964 or 65. I never cut myself again.

I went looking for one (to back-up my SRs) on eBay recently and couldn't find one reasonable enough for me (given that they were originally less than $4). All went in the 35-50 dollar range, even with flaws. I wound up buying 2 nonadjustable Parkers, which shave great and since I'm married to a loving woman who doest care about a little scratchiness and aren't canoodling with any new young girls anymore, I get a completely acceptable shave :-). I only used them when I don't have time for a SR shave anyway. End of reminiscing...think I'll go shave!

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Love it...longer attaboy when I'm not on an iPad!

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