Thread: First safety razor.

I have my first safety razor. Its a Gillette Slim adjustable. Needs a little bit of cleaning but it opens smoothly and clicks on all the numbers. It has a one spot where it is stained on the handle and that's the worst of it. Stamped H4 if anyone could help me with dating it that would be great. Stopped by Wally World and got some Wilkenson Swords (blue) after I clean it up I will give it a go.

I think you'll be happy with your new DE. If I have my dates codes correct I believe yours is from the 4th quarter of 1962.

By all means go ahead and try the Wilkinsons, but if the shaves are crap it is likely due to the blade. There are many better brands out there; just do a search on DE blades and many threads will pop up on the subject.

Poppy926,

The choice of blades for a DE safety razor is an exceptionally personal thing; one mans fine shaving blade is another's piece of rubbish !!

Look about on the 'InterWeb' for blade sampler packs e.g. :

West Coast Shaving DE Blade Sampler Pack, Choice

Connaught Shaving Connaught DE Sample Packs

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Hello Poppy:
The Gillette Slim adjustable is a good razor. As my friends have suggested, for blades, do try a sampler pack. The blades you have will get you through for now, but there is so much great stuff out there. So shave away.

The slim is a great razor. As for blades, I have several different brands that I like. Astra's seem to do real good. Looks like we are neighbors, PM me if you want a few different types to try out. Perhaps we can meet up at Walmart or something, I'll turn you on to a few samples.

Thanks for the replies. I do plan to get a sample pack of blades, but the Wilkensons did a much better job than I thought they would. I was expecting more like the orange handle single edge disposables. Eager to use it and not willing to wait for shipping. You all know how it is. And I wasnt paying close enough attention and took a chunk out of my neck when I got it a little twisted and the blade dug in. Second shave was much better. Nearly as good as I get with a straight and just as comfortable. Very little burn when I applied Clubman musk. All in all I am very pleased so far.
@Ryan thanks for dating the razor for me.
@Don thanks I might just do that when things settle down for me.

Oh and if there is a Roger near Livingston Tx on the site, thanks for putting your razors up at The Whistle Stop. And for anyone near Livingston there was still one more adjustable there. Also a few other pretty nice DE's.