Is the Gillette Slim Adjustable Safety Razor That Good?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มี.ค. 2022
- When it comes to a vintage safety razor it's hard to know what you are getting when purchasing online and hard to review from the photos you can see for that safety razor. Recently I have dipped my piggy toes into the water of vintage safety razors by purchasing from the Razor Emporium this sleek refurbished and re-plated rhodium 1962 Gillette Slim Adjustable vintage safety razor.
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Hey all! Do you have a vintage razor you love? Check out the mystery box unboxing here: th-cam.com/video/vbCVEwJWIPk/w-d-xo.html
Recently I just got a steal from ebay!! It is a never used, New Old Stock Gillette Executive Gold Fatboy with case!! These usually go for $300+ in used condition. I got mine for $90 + shipping!!! The seller didn't realize what they had!! It's one of my best finds!! That Slim is amazing! The vintage Gillette razors are hard to beat!! Enjoy yours!!
@@JimG7755 thanks Jim! Congrats on the grab. Sounds marvelous
I just started wet shaving a few weeks ago, after a lifetime of using an electric razor (I’m 59). I decided to go all in and invest in a 1963 Gillette Slim Adjustable from Razor Emporium. I love it, especially the butterfly opening. I am having the best shaves of my life, and having fun at the same time. Also enjoying learning about and trying different soaps and blades, and appreciate your contributions to the shaving community.
Hey Scott! That’s a great razor and hard to top for performance. Great choice and thanks for connecting. Reach out with any questions
@@GregTardif Thanks Greg.
I have 1975 flatboy rasor gellitte made of USA ,How do i clean?
I have a refurbished rhodium plated 1960 Fatboy and a 1963 Slim in original condition. Honestly, the Slim is a better shaver for me! Great vid. Enjoy the Slim and Happy Birthday!
Nice! Yeah I’m leaning towards the slim right now. Though both are great
I just picked one up for my birthday, 61. I've had a couple of shaves with it. I'm very pleased with the razor
Ooo very cool! Happy birthday buddy!
I just started wet shaving this year and I was lucky enough to snag one of these off ebay for about 30 bucks. I've had some of the best shaves of my life with this razor. Thank you for showcasing how awesome this razor is!
Nice razor Greg! Looks amazing! I have a 1967 Slim and really like it too. I use ascending gaps for shaving, 1, 2, 3, or more recently 2,3,4. Try it out, low to high, vs. high to low (what I used to do). Using the lower gaps for the 1st/2nd pass removes the stubble with less “grab,” and then when you’ve done two passes, the higher gap # more easily cleans up and finals stragglers.
Enjoy and shave on!!
Nice! Thanks. Will do
Great video. Use an alum block on your fingers for non-slip shaving. They say you’re supposed to open the doors before you change settings. It’s a beautiful razor, I have several and use them a lot. I had a fatboy refinished by Razor Emporium and they did a fantastic job. Keep up the excellent videos.
Thanks for watching. I’m not a big fan of alum. I just keep my hands dry. Yeah I’ve started loosening before adjusting too. Thanks for watching
Greg, Just bought a Rhodium Red Tip revamp on the bay, it’s awesome.
Nice review as always, Greg.
I have a few Gillette vintage razors (in manufactured date order below). I like the Slim Adjustable more than the Fatboy, cosmetically more appealing design wise and has better maneuverability too. The non-adjustable flare tip (silver) gives me the smoothest shaves so far. I think it's a terrific razor for daily shaving. Razor Emporium and eBay has plenty of them. I was originally interested in a red tip (supposed to be a bit more aggressive) but couldn't find a reasonably cheap one in good cosmetic shape so far. The Aristocrat is just recently bought and on its way to me, have read & watched very nice reviews about it too. It will be my first gold razor, so extra points for the bling factor. I'm interested in a Black Beauty Super Adjustable next (the ones with the black handle, but I don't like the latest versions that have the plastic base plate, prefer earlier ones with metal base plate; shorter handle 84 is my preference over the longer 109). Keep up the good work and looking forward to future videos!
Gillette Aristocrat Gold Plated: NDC (1940’s)
Gillette TTO Super Speed: NDC (1940’s)
Gillette Fatboy Adjustable: G2 (1961)
Gillette Slim Adjustable: I1 (1963)
Gillette Flare Tip (Silver) Super Speed: J3 (1964)
Gillette Black Handle Super Speed: M2 (1967)
You have some great gear. One day I’ll have an aristocrat. Heard great things about them. Thanks for sharing your line up and thoughts buddy
Sharp lookin slim, you’re a stand up guy Greg & funny. Happy Birthday to ya! 🥳
Thanks Carlos! Yeah I like this thing a lot
Oh man that a beautiful Slim. Rhodium looks so awesome on these razors. Nice one my man, and have a great weekend eh!
Hey! You have yourself a better weekend JMAC
@@GregTardif thanks Greg, I’m gonna try!
No vintage yet but I could see myself rocking one, one day. Very Noice job Razor Emporium, and congrats Greg it's a good looking razor.
Nice! I put it off as long as possible haha
Stand up razor 😝😝. Love it. I'm stealing the line for my next 'stand up razor' review 🤣. Congrats Greg and happy bday bud.
Thank you
I have a Slim. It’s what I learned to shave with. My brother and I gave it to our Dad for Father’s Day in 1965. A dozen years later he handed it down to me. I used it until I couldn’t get blades anymore. Then picked it back up when wetshaving made a resurgence. I have a number of other razors but it’s still a favorite.
Very cool! Any need to get it resurfaced or has it been kept up pretty good?
I have a '62 Slim as well. Love it. Got it tuned up at Razor Emporium recently. Looks beautiful even with the original finish.
Very good! great shaver.
What did it cost you to have it tuned up?
@@RobertNES816 $40 plus shipping there and back, about $58 all in.
@@markdelapaz5573 Nice I have a Fatboy and Slim I might need to have them look at in the future.
Wow Greg that rhodium plated Gillette slim looks really nice!
Thanks! Razor emporium did a great job on it
Wow, that rhodium razor looks very nice Greg! Way to go!
Thanks, I just bought it. Razor emporium did a hell of a job 😍
@@GregTardif 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nice Slim G! I have a handful of vintage razors myself, one being a slim adjustable. Great shave!
🤙 you have…mostly…vintage stuff, right? 😅
Oooo other vintage razors I have are a Gem (not sure of the year) in original Bake-a-lite box and a Rolls Razor - both are in the mail - can't wait to try them!!!
Really nice! Enjoy them
My favorite Vintage Gillette is hands down the Executive. I own a couple of D-3s. Great video 👍
Thanks for watching Aaron. That’s a swanky razor for sure!!
Awesome review, Greg! I’m thinking of taking the plunge and buying a MTO 1940s Gillette Aristocrat from Razor Emporium. It will be my first purchase with them. How was your overall customer experience with them?
Great little razor. Wonderful finish.I suggest opening the cap before adjusting the dial. Friction wears metal out.
Thanks! I have been doing that after being recommended a few times after posting the video. 😳
The Slim Adjustable is the successor to the 195. It has all the improvements the Fatboy needed to become better than just a cult classic.
That Rhodium finish looks awesome!
I've got a couple dozen various Gillette Techs, Old Types, New Improved, New, Goodwill, Sheraton, Milord, and several Superspeeds of various dates. The Ambassador Adjustable (Gold Slim) is one of my favorites, and also the Old Type.
Sweet collection there! I like the thicker handle on the Fatboy over the slim. But everything else on the slim is a step up for sure
@@GregTardifagreed, I like the heft and thicker handle of the Fatboy, but the flatter head and slightly longer handle on the Slim.
Still think the Fatboy is a better razor for me, but I enjoy shaving with both.
Just got a 1966 slim and so far so good. I also have a Feather WS-D2 which is probably the mother of them all imo. Check that one out if you ever get the chance.
I have a 1951 Black Tip, 55 flair tip and 57 red tip. I need to get an adjustable, good vid Greg.
Thanks buddy!! I like the looks on those flair tips. Do you have a favorite of the three?
@@GregTardif Id say the Red Tip, has a nice weight to it.
I got one from the razor emporium, and it's easy to use. They are pricey but they last for life. I can't complain about it.
Great vid, Greg! I've recently acquired my first vintage razor, which is a 1959 Gillette Super Speed Flair Tip, and it used to be my Grandpa's. It's almost in perfect OEM condition. It shaves so well I bought another (1960) and will send it to Razor Emporium for the rhodium treatment. Now I'm on the hunt for my birth year. It's a rabbit hole for sure! 🤣😂🤣
Oh that’s awesome!!! I’m not super excited about acquiring my birth year razor. It would be from 1986 and have a plastic handle. But, we’ll see what happens. The flair tips look neat. Glad you have that heritage piece
@@GregTardif oh im right there with you then. Mine would be 1985, but Im thinking the black handle is aluminum. Maybe I'm wrong? 🤔
@@jamesd.4223 oh maybe!!
My birth year is 1958, either a Slim or the TV razor! I just bought a Super 84 and two 109's (A-1) by mistake. The 84 shaves so smooth. The others are from ebay...thought I'd lost the bid, so I bought the second BB 109. The long handles are smooth, too. I only need one. Parts or make some lucky relative happy?
@@nathanieldaiken1064 My vintage razors have been bullet proof. Great quality. Unless you worried about yours falling apart on you, I would make a relative happy and share the wet shaving love!
I have and currently use my dad's Gillette Slim that he bought in about 1960. It's superb.
edit: 1962
Awesome! The hand me downs are the best.
You shouldn’t turn the adjusting knob while the doors are tightly closed. That imparts to much stress on the mechanism. Do it with the tto knob (ie doors) loose.
Howdy, Greg! I have six vintage razors and I get great shaves from them all.
That slim looks maaaavelous! 👍🏼🤠👍🏼
Nice!!! Do you have a favorite of the six?
@@GregTardif My ‘63’ (I4) slim adjustable is tops for me. I had Chris at Back Roads Gold find one for me and do a nickel refurb on it. I like my ‘38-45’ Gillette Tech Fat Handle for my dome shaves.
I got a slim from the same place. It is the same year and the same metal used for coating it. I like number 5 setting, and and i pair it with a perma sharp blade, and reduce it to setting 1 for clean up pass. Amazing razor !
🙌 nice! I’ll try a permasharp soon in it. Glad you like yours too. Thanks for watching
Same here, Slim at 5 w/Perma-Sharp. 👍
@@alspencer2794 thanks guys I will try this combo next. I use a GSB on 4 or 5.
Thanks for another good video! I have been wondering about the Rhodium plating. My dad used a tto de razor with Palmolive soap right about the time I asked him to teach me to shave. It might have been a Fat Boy. It kind of looked like one from my memory. I don’t know where it went though. I think I will pick up a refurbished one just for the nostalgia.
Thanks for watching and sharing. It’s always great hearing stories from other shavers that had an experience with DE razors prior to themselves shaving. My dad was always an electric shaver. Have a great day friend
You make a good point about buying a refurbished razor. I bought an L1 1966 Slim on eBay and have never gotten a memorable shave. It's not terrible but not great either. I have to winder how much of that is the razor and how much is possibly the condition of the razor. It doesn't appear to be damaged but I'd like to try a different one to see if it shaves any better. I'm glad to see you are enjoying yours! Thanks for another enjoyable video. Have a great day!
Thanks for watching and sharing. I’m definitely very happy with these vintage razors and have been primarily reaching for them more than some of my others. Maybe, send yours in somewhere to have it checked out?
Send it in to Razor Emporium for a tuneup….about $50 and they will fix whatever is wrong with it that’s what I did to an H2 model (1962 second quarter) I bought on eBay
Hey Greg. It’s hard not to like any of the Gillette razors. I have several and use all of them and
Hey John! Thanks yeah they are great shavers even to this day
Nice 😀 purchased one in Rhodium on the bay for 100.00 ! Looks like new.
I have a 1965 Gillette Slim that’s in good original shape and it still gives a great shave. That being said….I don’t think it compares to the quality shave I get from my Rockwell T2. And it certainly can’t compare to the shave a 6S will give me. The Rockwell 6S is simply the best razor I’ve ever shaved with…..bar none.
Mr. Tardif... Did you say, that you twist to lock and then adjust? You should not turn the dial when the head is locked. Also you should let it dry upside down so the water runs out of the razor and not down in the handle. Have fine weekend, my friend.
I did say that 🤦♂️ I will not do that anymore…thanks for the tips
When you’re adjusting the settings leave the doors open a little then when you have the setting you want close the doors and give it the quarter twist to lock it down…..otherwise you’ll damage the inner mechanisms.
Rhodium looks great on that razor.
Yes! It was a great pick by me haha
Just got a Slim. Also have a FB, red tip, 40s SS and 2 techs. Damn rabbit hole. I have 2 shaves on the slim and it is growing on me. I Start with a 4 or 5 using a Gillette silver blue. The 5 seems to be efficient for
Me. The Fatboy was a winner on the first go - like the fatter handle and better weight distribution. Also I find the handle a bit grippier on the FB. I need the slim head on the Fatboy handle. Lol. These things were so well built. Blade alignment is spot on for these 60 + year old razors. The Fatboy is a tank. The red tip just looks cool - great handle knurling design.
Some of my twitter buds were saying a shave at 1 then 3 and then 5 has produced great results. May give that a try again. Yeah I liked the Fatboy more when I first got the slim and I agree the handle is grippier on the Fatboy. Great collection you have
@@GregTardif I’ll may give that a try. Thanks.
Hello Greg, I recently bought a nice 1968 N1 Slim. It is not as nice as yours but quite nice and cost me 50 cents :) I own several vintage Gillette razors. I have a 61 Fat Boy G2. Up until I bought the slim I was using a 79 Z3 Black Beauty. I like the long handle of the Black Beauty. I will use the Slim a while and decide which one I like best.
Nice! Great find. Let me know which one you pick (if you want)
Razor Emporium does great replaying, I have a Slim I was to replayed.
I only use Vintage Gillettes.
Have 4, a Slim, Tech, Flair, and last Birth year Super Speed. 1947.
Awesome! I wanna get my Fatboy revamped in rhodium. Have you ever tried rubbing alum on your fingers before you shave? I always rub my fingers on an alum block shaving. Gives a little better grip. 😁👍🏼
Yeah alum on the fingers is so weird to me. Feels like having super glue dried on my fingers haha. Yeah I want to get my Fatboy done now. But wanted to make sure I had another vintage razor while I wait “patiently”
ALL the vintage Gillette adjustables from the Toggle, Executive, Fatboy, Slim and black beauty are great shaves.
I got a revamped Fatboy and revamped super speed flare tip from Razor Emporium. They are great razors and will last longer than I will. I stuck with the nickel plate. I couldn't justify the rhodium.
I hear ya on the rhodium pricing. I’d be just as tickled to have a nickel finished as well
Hi Gregg, looks almost as nice as the Aristocrat adjustable - that gold shine is soooo pretty. But this thing gives a tremendous shave, quite interesting to see how little room the industry had to improve until today. This vs my Blackbird depending on the setting and growth is more or less a toss-up, the difference is 60 years. Try running against your grandpa and see who wins, not even funny :D
Haha thanks for that. I like the comparison. Yeah it’s amazing just how great they have held up and can make me put down “new” tech for an old trusty razor
So far I have 4 vintage GIllette - Fathandle 1939/1946, Fathandle 1946/1951 and a Gold Fathandle 1946/1951 as well as a Super Speed 1974 U1 - love all of them - hope to get an adjustable at some point - maybe another U1??
Oh nice collection there
I have a few vintage fat boys and slims and I did add one of each from Razor Emporium in Nickel - they do beautiful work. I have to add one of each in Rhodium - these are the jewels of my collection! The funny part is I treat my vintage Gillettes like royalty and I actual use my Global Shave Club copy of the fat boy, the fat guy in my rotation to preserve my vintages. The Fat Guy isn’t as nice as the real thing but it does shave the same love them all!!!!
Oh wow! Love this! Sounds like you got great stuff. Haven’t heard of the Global Shave Club Fat Guy before…may need to remedy that haha
Guess what, bud? I'm getting a slim adjustable! I just got one off Etsy that is on the way, and I'm going to do another revamp with Matt & Razor Emporium to get it re-done in rhodium, so I'll have two modern razors and a re-plated vintage adjustable to tackle my shaving! Should be pretty fun! 😉
You didn’t even let me guess 😡 but that’s awesome!!!
I have a tough decision to make regarding de razor. Currently have Edwin Jagger de89, but my hair is very thick and I want to upgrade. Looking for something efficient/aggressive to get the work done and thinking about the following.
- muhle r41
- merkur 37c
- merkur progress
- Gillette slim adjustable
Looking for a close shave, but have somewhat of a sensitive skin especially on the neck. Which would you recommend from your experience?
I have the Parker variant (progress inspired) and the slim. I feel like either of those are good options. I like the Rockwell 6c or s. You can dial in your shaves with either of them
i have a gillette slim that i use on setting 5 for both passes
As a collector of vintage DE´s. I would not have mine replated. As it would be less original. But if it was a second one for the daily shave, it would be awesome to have it looking new like this.
Yeah, that makes sense. I feel ok getting this one as I want to use as a main shaver. If i do start collecting for collecting's sake I would probably get an original plated one.
The way I see it is there are millions of Slims out there. They are never going to worth a lot of money. Sure people will collect them, and some people are purists and want original…but either way they still are not worth much. Replating isn’t ruining the collectibility of the item, and it likely is increasing its value if it was in poor condition prior to that.
I have my dad's super speed with no date code. I'm thinking it's a 1947. Also have the white mug and worn out brush that were his. I never remember him being a wet shaver all I remember is the parade of electric foil razors and the smell of the pre shave he used.
Happy bday may it be a great one
Oh wow that’s neat! Thanks for watching and sharing
@@GregTardif I recently discovered a really cool storage idea.i live in a 100+ year old house with no ac. To say the least the bathrooms are damp. I bought Plano mini tackle boxes that seal with a waterproof rubber gasket and snap lock latches. Great no rust no tarnish no corrosion storage of my blade hoard and razors not in my regular rotation.
@@greghinthorn4356 ooo that’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing
I have 2 slim adjustables, 1 gillette super 109 adjustable. They're very good.
Awesome!!
Wow that's a lovely peice of kit
I’m in love with it haha (don’t tell my wife)
Yeah, you have to be careful on eBay. I have two Slim Adjustable razors I bought, both were $40. The first one looked really nice in the few pictures with excellent nickel plating. But it turned out it had apparently been dropped and hit the corner of the safety bar and was warped. I didn't notice it until I loaded a blade and saw how out of kilter it was. I doubt if the woman knew it or even knew much about razors so I kept it, thinking I could get it fixed by Razor Emporium but never sent it in. The other Slim wasn't as shiny but works perfectly so that was a win. I have five other vintage razors from Razor Emporium and they are in very nice shape, so that's a safe bet.
Yeah! Thanks Chris. Sometimes the lipstick is on the pig I suppose. Sometimes it’s worth the gamble and sounds like you got a good deal. Hopefully not too pricey if you do go to get it fixed
I have gotten very luck on EBay razors. Out of 5 I have purchased they have turned out better than what was described/pictured in the ad. A bit of polishing and cleaning has made them all look brand new.
Adjust first, than lock the razor. People say that's better for the mechanics.
Good call. Thanks!
I dig dig dig dig this 👌
😎 thanks buddy
I just can’t get the Slim adjustable to agree with my skin. It’s really annoying because I love the aesthetic of the razor.
the head is a bit shallower on this than other TTO razors. Make sure you are paying attention to angle and light pressure. Also make sure the bar is and blade are lined up right.
What's that square (brush?) Thing at about 25 seconds?
The square thing is the cube from Phoenix artisan accoutrements, it’s a preshave soap
Is there a video showing adjustment levels on this razor?
How do you mean?
@@GregTardif I was trying to understand how adjustability works on this razor from lowest exposure to highest
I like the longer handle of the Slim over the Fat Boy. I have a Black Beauty from the early seventies from my birth year but I think after that the Gillette's got a little cheap.
I haven’t bought my birth year because of the “cheapness” in the 80’s
🌭Hot Dogs and Doritos!!! (No Doritos Emoji...IDK why?) Awesome razor!
Haha! I did have dorito dust on fingers at some point in this video 😂
Just bought a 1965 K2. Is there a difference at all between this and that one?
Not sure. This one is refinished in rhodium though
@@GregTardif what razors do you recommend ? I do not know if one is better than the other or if you have a video explaining it cause I’d like to get as much knowledge as possible
👍😀👍 The rhodium razor....Nice!
Shiny!!!
I have 7 slims and 5 fat boys and they all shave differently. Weird but for me I can tell the difference. Nice slim and vid!!
Whoa neat! I haven’t tried any other years but I’m curious if that has anything to do with it
Hi, few are the same year and shave differently. Maybe back then the tolerances were not as tight.
The music sounds like it's from either a Tarantino film or vintage porn. Lol
I want to buy this shaving razor .. how can I buy and from where .. I am searching for this razor since long time .. Gillette adjustable X4. KINDLY guide me
As mentioned. I ordered it refinished from the razor emporium
@@GregTardif brother how can I buy this simply tel me the easiest way . Mere chacha ko chahiye frankly dude
@@GregTardif can u courier me
Go to razor emporium and see what they have available. Mine is not for sale
I have a 1960 Fatboy a 1962 Slim Adjustable a 1951 Gillette Tech a 1953 Super Speed a 1980 Super Speed and a 1920s Open Comb Ball end.
Nice collection!
@@GregTardif I just started colleting about a month ago.
Oh boy!!!
I always thought you were supposed to open the barn doors to adjust the razor.
I sometimes loosen them. But I think you’re right 😳
I also dig the slim. It’s a hot diggy dog. 👍
I don't know if it's vintage but I like my wilkinson sword
I own a slim but I tend to cut myself with it. Not sure if the blade isn’t aligned correctly I’m not sure but I have to say it’s not my favorite.
Sorry to hear. What blades do you favor?
@@GregTardif Astra Greens
I love my slims and FatBoys. Butter smoothie!
I have a 1915 milady a 1936 a 1950 a 1956 tto tech a 1961 fatboy and a 1966 slim
If 007 James bond used it…… 🤵🏻♂️ 🚗 💨 🍸
Congratulations, I have a g4 aristocrat in gold , the black beauties are a bit more aggressive than slims
Aristocrats are more mild I’ve heard, right? And I agree, the black beauties are a bit more aggressive. Thanks for coming by
@@GregTardif I think they’re just gold slims released for special occasions like Christmas or Father’s Day or so on
@@GregTardif I would say my '47 Aristocrat is about the same as the Slim setting 3-4.
@@ChrisLael nice!!! Thanks for clarifying
Is the Gillette Slim that good?
Yes.
I say no, remember Gillette always has planned obsolescence of razor's. Who knows, maybe the Slim wears the blade faster then the Fatboy. You can do the same comparison with the Blacktip and the BlueII. Any CNC milled razor with excellent tolerance is better in anyway. The old Gillettes are just a stopgap for male hygiene, not the best a man can get.
I don't know if this is a taboo subject, but when Gillette tried insinuate that us men weren't so great I stopped my custom with them.
I don’t know that it’s taboo. Though, you could separate the vintage stuff from them today. P&G acquired them in 2005.
Too bad these didn’t come out in the 50s. There’s just something cool about shaving with a razor from our best decade (in my opinion) - the 50s. I associate the 60s with meaningless hippie BS so there’s no cool factor there for me despite the superior features relative to the Fatboy.
Fatboy or Slim adjustable
I still have my slim but gave my fat boy away.
@@GregTardif which do you prefer out of the two
I kept the slim 😄 I like the slim
@@GregTardif same I like the look of the slim better but I’ve heard the Fatboy gives a slightly better shave cuz it’s too heavy but still the slim is definitely top of my list for safety razors
Howdy bro, you probably already knew Kindlesmarkt is from Christkindl where Kindl is a old german word for a small child "baby". In the combination with Christ- kindl is Jesus as a baby. Btw I love the Slim it is my favorite adjustable.
Greetings 💈🪒
Thanks for the break down! The Christmas markets are amazing in Germany and Austria. Slim is a great one
U got 3.6 THOUSAND subscribers nd ur pushin merch lol?
Why is that funny?