Thread: Adjustable - set it and forget VS change

OK say you have say a Gillette slim 1962. Do you typical leave it on a certain setting, maybe per blade brand -or- vary it like set to X on the neck but change to X on the cheek ?

I have a Gillette Fat Boy which should be similar in adjustments. I started at the #3 setting (least aggressive) and as my technique improved slowly crept up to the #9 setting (most aggressive) and left it there. I imagine if you switch blade brands you will have to fine tune it again for that particular brand. Some people do change settings for the different passes from what I have read.

I have also read that when you make adjustments it is a good idea to crack the barn doors open a bit before you do the adjustment. Supposedly it takes some of the strain off the adjusting mechanism so is a little easier on the razor in the long run.

Bob

Always open before adjusting up.

I leave my fat boy and slim on 3. Straight razor is as agressive as I go, DEs I like on the mild side.

Back in the day, I had a Merkur Futur, kept it at 5.5...

Kind of regret selling it but between it, my Muhle R41 (2011 model-let's talk aggressive, oh yeah) and my straights, I never used it. Hope the buyer is enjoying it.

I pretty much settle on a setting and keep it that way. I've never seen the point in constantly adjusting the settings.

when i use my slim i start with 5 for the WTG and XTG but switch to 1 for the ATG. seems to eliminate the ingrown hairs.

I've been using Gillette adjustables for about a year and my go to Gillette is my Fat Boy. I started with it set on 3 and worked up to 6 then back down to 5. I now do 2 passes on 5 WTG, XTG, and then ATG on my neck on 3, with some touchup. I use a Feather blade and no pressure except the weight of the razor. As always YMMV.

I started on #3 setting, after some time with the razor, I moved to #5 since. I use only Feather and Super Iridium blades and both work on that setting, so I am not sure if different brands will require different settings.

I usually keep my Slim set on 6, but I do like to turn it up to 8 or 9 once in a while. There is a change in the shave, but 6 works fine for every day. Have fun experimenting with yours!

I keep my slims on 9. IMHO just keep the pressure to a minimum. And I mean LIGHT. You will enjoy the closeness more than a lower less-aggressive setting. If you shave with a straight you can handle it.