Newbie fails miserably using the 1960s Gillette Slim! | PAA Cube 2 0 | Smile Through Tough Times
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Feeling down? Remember to smile! In this video, I take on the challenge of wet shaving as a newbie, using a vintage 1960s Gillette Slim adjustable razor. I also use the PAA Cube 2.0 and some fantastic soaps. Spoiler alert: this shave didn’t go as planned, and I failed miserably with the vintage razor. Join me on this journey of smiles, struggles, and self-improvement!
#WetShaving #VintageRazor #GilletteSlim #PAACube #ShavingFail #FirstTimeShave #PersonalGrowth #SmileThroughIt #ShavingCommunity #SelfImprovement
Below are products used in this video as well as extra products to browse
The Razor Company Affiliate Links
The Razor Company
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1960’s Gillette Slim
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Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream,
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Taylor of Old Bond Street - Sandalwood Pre Shave
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Taylor of Old Bond Street - Tobacco Leaf - Luxury Aftershave
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TRC - 26mm Black Acrylic - Synthetic Shave Brush
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Leaf - Shave Oil
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TRC - Unbreakable Lather Bowl
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Astra - Superior Platinum Double Edge Razor Shaving Blades
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Simpson T3 Synthetic Shaving Brush
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Aylsworth - APEX-AL6063 Aluminum Safety Razor
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Amazon affiliate links
Amazon
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ROCKWELL RAZORS T2 Long Handle Safety Razor
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Taylor of Old Bond Street - Aftershave Lotion
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Proraso Pre-Shave Cream, Sensitive Skin, 3.6 Oz
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Anself Man's Shaving Soap Bowl
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QSHAVE Stainless Steel Shaving Bowl with Lid
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Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream
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Rockwell Aftershave Balm, Barbershop Scent
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Rockwell Pre-Shave Oil - Barbershop Scent
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Rockwell Synthetic Shave Brush
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100 Shaving safety razor double edge blades of 10 Top
Brands
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THAYERS Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Rose Petal
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Parker Safety Razor's Large Alum Block
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Anself 2-in-1 Shaving Bowl
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Osma Bloc Alum Block
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The Goodfellas' smile, Luxury Shaving Soap
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Parker's Double Edge Safety Razor Stand
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Good first shave with the vintage Gillette, don't be too hard on yourself. As we were chatting yesterday - sticking with 1 razor as you mentioned will really help your technique. Also be confident with your shaving motion, if you hesitate with your hand as you glide the razor sometimes it may not go as smooth as it should. One obvious thing from this video is that your lather looked really dry. Don't be afraid to add more water, you can always do that even when the lather is on your face. Remember that as you talk and show things the lather on your face/bowl is getting dry - hydration is your friend 😄
@@ShaveAndTell thank you, my only focus was to not cut myself so I didn’t link to add water. Funny thing, I think I thought to myself I need water but my nerves were so high that I invited my thoughts and focused on not cutting.
Not a bad first trip out with a vintage adjustable.
I liked that you started out at a reasonable adjustment of 3. That's a good starting point to get a feel for the aggressive nature of the razor. Most of the time I do one pass shaves. However; when I do two pass shaves I adjust one less on the adjustment for the second pass since there isn't as much stubble to cut through. For reference, on my slim my first pass is at 3 and my second pass is at 2. For me three passes are the kiss of death. I shave daily and less passes yields a happier face in the long run. I also learned that if things are going to go wrong in a shave, it's usually on the second pass. With some time and patience I can get a BBS one pass shave with the same slim and astra blades that you are using in your video.
Your lather looked like it could use some more hydrating and I really didn't see the benefit of mashing some of the soap on your face before lathering. There was a big glob on your right cheek that I wanted to wipe off...haha!
When I started DE shaving, the first few months were bowl lathering. Once I got a better feel for a properly hydrated lather, I moved on to face lathering . Be it bowl or face, I aim to make the lather be the consistency of cool whip. Nice and fluffy. This is my way of knowing that the hydration is spot on. The lather is a cushion between blade and face. More cush...happier face.
I think there's another little thing that some people overlook when they get a new razor, and that's checking the reveal of the blade. Making sure that the blade is aligned properly in the razor and that both sides are exposed evenly is important. If that slim has a wonky reveal you'll never get a great shave out of it. I check the blade reveal EVERY time I put a blade in the razor.
I do like that you mentioned the twist to 'lock' down the razor. Some people call this the Gillette twist. On the slim and the other Gillette adjustables you don't have to open the doors. If the razor is working properly all you need to do is loosen past the point of the Gillette twist. If this isn't working for you I have three words...Razor Tune Up. 😀 My go to place for razor work is RazorEmporium.com.
You also hit on a key point that I really liked at the end of your video. Sticking with the gear you've got is important. It's going to be the way that you develop good technique. If a person is constantly swapping out razor, blade, soap, brush, and pre-shave it's almost impossible to develop good consistency when it comes to technique. The challenge of being new to de shaving is to get all the shaving components working in concert. It will take many months to get everything close to being just right. For me the first month or two was a lot of learning, but then by the second or third month later, things would really come together.
In regard to your technique, you may want to consider taking shorter strokes with your razor and instead use blade-buffing. There are quite a few videos with examples of blade-buffing that are better than what mere words can describe.
Overall I think you did a great job with your shave. I'd give you a 7 out of 10.
Happy Shave!
@@greathoundAZ thank you so much for your feedback! I will continue to use the slim and maybe use it as my daily driver. I agree the lather could have used more hydration, I was just so nervous that I was going to cut myself that I didn’t even consider that the lather needed water. Your comment about adjusting from 3 on the first pass to 2 on the second made sense and I’ll probably take that on myself! Thank you for the 7 out of 10 that means so much to me and thank you for the great suggestions!
Great first outing with the Slim!
I agree with others that the angle was likely off. You could hear the razor cutting as you started the pass, but your angle became tighter the more you progressed through the shave, and you were losing that bite needed to get an effective cut. It’s harder with a vintage Gillette than with a Henson because the AL13 has the angle set for you. The Slim requires you to find and maintain the cutting angle.
3 is a good level to start, but I think 4 may be better for you to get a decent cut on the first pass, and then drop to the 3 for your second pass.
The secret is to keep trying. You’ll develop the right angle soon enough and enjoy these vintage shaves!
@@LawrenceWhitaker thank you once again! I will try out a higher level just to get the feel of the blade and go down from there unless my nerves kick in again and I go back to the 2. 🤦♂️
1 more comment cause i was too quick! you asked about a balm i'd recommend. zingari sego balm is my go to personally. i might pick up a matching balm set from barrister and mann, but that zingari sego balm leaves such a nice feeling
@@Waabajack thank you for the suggestion. I will look into that as well! The cube was a different experience. Something I need to keep using until I understand how to use it!
Hello Chris! I am also fairly new to wet shaving and have, amongst my many razors, a 1964 Gillette Slim Adjustable. The first thing that strikes me as a possible cause for a not so close shave is your blade angle. The slim isn't quite as intuitive as some of my other razors. I've found the best way to find the angle is to start with short strokes, more on the cap then the guard, and slowly rotate the razor downward until you feel the blade start to be effective. Good rule of thumb is if you're leaving that much lather behind, your angle is off. Would also suggest slowing your pace and shorter strokes in general. Cheers, and best of luck!
@@edwardwalter4358 thank you for this, my angel seems to be a lot of people suggestion. I will definitely be taking shorter strokes and getting the angle down on my next shave.
I have a 1964 J4 slim adjustable guillette, the same thing happened to me when I used it for the first time, my face was quite irritated. Watching the video, I could see that the problem is the cutting angle. You need to raise the shaver plate a little more. feel blade that cuts the hair then that will be the correct angle
@@j.manuelramirez2551 thank you for this! I have feel I have a lot of practicing to do! I honestly thought it was going to be an easy in and out shave, clearly not!
Hey Chris, You're spot on with the blooming definition. Astra green is my go to blade. I think you lather may have been a little thick, a little more water IMHO. BUT , you have to be comfortable, it's your shave. It does take practice especially with the vintage adjustables . My 1st was a 1961 fatboy. Check out some of my early videos. You get used to everything about wet shaving. Reach out if you have questions. Have a great day and smooth shaves
Thank you! I’m glad I got one thing right in that video! 🤦♂️.
I have subscribed and will start watching your older stuff and with GeoFatbooy. Thanks again!
Interesting
@@imranff1266 thank you! I’ve always been told I’m an interesting guy and I do things differently! 😊
Part of the issue might be your angle. The vintages are a little different than modern razors. A lot of modern razors have the angle kind of built in, the older ones you have to find the angle.
@@Indyshaver thank you so much for this! I’ll continue working with this razor and finding that angle!
Nice shave Chris! It wasn't perfect, but learning is part of the process. Sticking with the same gear and getting good at it is a very good tip. I didn't do that myself and it took me way too long to get a good shave.
When I apply the PAA cube I'll rub it into my beard with my fingers, kind of a mini-lather. Your lather, although looked good, looked pretty dry. You wont cut down your beard as efficiently with a dry lather. Get the lather tuned in nicely and it'll cut like butter. One way I gage my lather slickness is after a pass I will rub my finger down my cheek. If it's slick, then I've hydrated it enough. If it feels dry I'll add more water and relather.
One way I fine tune my blade angle is I ride the cap and gradually steepen the blade angle until it cuts better. If it feels like I'm just scraping with the razor, then I've gone too far.
Good luck with your journey and I love your enthusiasm!!!
Robb
@@Bigdhoss I’m not giving up on this razor, so it will be my daily driver for awhile. I have just learned about ‘riding the bar’ or ‘riding the cap’ so that will be something that I start learning and doing. This is an amazing journey and I wish I found this sooner in life. I’m glad I can teach my son so when he’s old enough he will have a good head start on shaving.
When you want to adjust you don’t need to open it all the way up, just the quarter turn to loosen, make your adjustment, then the turn back
@@Indyshaver someone had told me that I needed to open the flaps before adjusting, so that’s why I mentioned it. Maybe what they meant was open the quarter turn. Thanks for your feedback!
@@Shave_and_chat no problem buddy, and I wouldn’t call it a fail, it was a shave and you learned some stuff, that’s a win!
@@Indyshaver good call, and you’re right I didn’t fail, I learned! All we do is win in this community.
To me, it looks like you need to find the right angle with that Slim.
I find the Slim to be mild, even on the higher settings, and you're using an Astra, which is also a mild blade.
A mild Razor + A mild setting + a mild Blade + your angle, can make it tuggy.
Maybe try a sharper blade and a different angle.
Don't press, let the razor do the work.
My shave of the day:
Muhle R41 Grande Stainless Steel safety razor,
Feather DE Blade (2nd use),
AP Shave Co shaving brush with a Pure Bliss knot,
Dural shave soap by A&E,
3 passes and a few pick-ups,
Thayers Unscented witch hazel,
HC&C Mogul After Shave splash,
Finished it off with Nivea After shave balm.
I appreciate your feedback, I have now had three shaves with that slim and I’m definitely enjoying it more! I do still have a lot to learn with it and I’m very grateful for all the suggestions! The R41 is something I have been eyeing, and all the recommendations you have given I’ll took a look at as well! Thanks again for your help!!!!
Good evening from beautiful Greece! I only shave with vintage and my passion is collecting vintage razors.
I think you need to do some research on the angle of the cut, it didn't seem to be the right one as it left a lot of soap on you behind the razor, also try another blade, there is a good chance that one of the blades is faulty. Otherwise everything is fine, after all shaving for each of us is a personal pleasure.
@@e.lshavetraditionally Thank you for the feedback! I have been practicing using the right angle since this video. I have also learned that my soap could have used more water. I’m learning, not giving up on this razor, I’m learning to master it!
More water into that soap Chris. Especially when using the Cube. Paint in some water.
Yes! I was so nervous that I was going to cut myself that I didn’t think of hydrating or fixing the angle. I just wanted the shave done. By my third shave I really grew my confidence and it was an all around great shave.
As others stated your angle was a bit off, and lather was a bit dry. Once you get use to it it’s an easy razor to use. I use mine on setting 9 on my face and head and rarely ever nick myself or get irritation.
I was so nervous that I was going to cut myself that I was just trying to get the shave done. I wasn’t paying attention to the later, my angle, and everything. I really improved the shave in my second video! 👍👍
@@Shave_and_chat I just watch the second video, that one went much better for you. I have about 40 vintage razors and it takes a bit to get use to each one. I also just got a Gillette black beauty 109 I thought gave me a terrible shave compared to my Slims or Fatboys. But the second shave I realized the long handle was throwing off my shave angle. A little adjustment in how I was holding the razor improved things dramatically and it gives good shaves. So even though I have been DE shaving for over 20 years there still is a bit of a learning curve with a new razor.
@@GilaMonster971 i felt so confident, by that last pass something kind of clicked. I still have a lot to learn but I love how wet shaving always keeps us learning!
No blood, so not completely horrible ;-)
I find TTO (twist to open) razors more prone to irritation and feedback from the alum than other styles; I think blade clamping isn't as good, leading to chatter.
The settings you used are quite mild; it may sound counteruntuitive, but a higher setting may result in less tugging and thus less irritation. Or you could go with a sharper blade.
Of course, there's also a possibility that your razor needs a tune-up; moving parts can get out of adjustment (I had Razor Emporium tune up one of my Slims; one door was "lazy" and my shaves weren't great - the tune-up made quite a difference).
As others have noted, your lather was a bit dry, so glide would not have been optimal, either.
All told, maybe not a great shave, but not a disaster. I'm sure the next outing will go much better!
@@keithosmond5730 thank you for your feedback, I learned a lot from that shave, yes my angle was off, yes my lather was thirsty, and yes it was an all around learning experience. I was so nervous that I was going to cut myself that I wasn’t paying attention to anything else. It was like I just wanted to get the shave over with without drawing blood. I will look into tuning the razor, maybe it could use it. Thanks again!!
Don't put too much pressure on your shave. Not every razor, blade, soap, or combo thereof will give you bbs. If i were to suggest anything, I'd say go to a higher setting. Start at 7 or 8 first then turn it down as required. With more blade feel, youll get more of the response you seem to be looking for
@@bgaston14 great idea that makes sense and clearly something I wasn’t thinking of. I might give that a shot for my next shave but if I’m feeling too nervous I might sick with my level 2 or 3.
Smiling even when upset releases dopamine and endorphins... also makes ya look nicer 😅
@@John-lc2lz I know eh, I know a few people in my life that I’m also asking them to smile, they’ll look and feel better! Thanks for the comment.
wouldn't call that a miserable fail. maybe not bbs but decent shave and no cuts! how did you feel the paa cube did to help? i still to this day kind of toss between oils and preshave soaps.
@@Waabajack I can be really hard on myself and want things done perfectly. I was very scared I was going to cut myself and thank goodness I didn’t. I think because I was so focused on the shave I didn’t really notice the PAA. Hmm… maybe it’s because of the PAA I didn’t get a nick.
At times I wish I could use oils. The ones I've tried cause me to break out. I rarely use the PAA cube. Most of the time I'll use the cube if I have a soap that's hard to lather. The cube actually contains gylcerin that can help to produce lather.
First!
@@seanstapelfeld high five, 🖐️ fist pump 👊
@@Shave_and_chat 👊
@@seanstapelfeld 👊👊
Vintages are a different animal for sure, I set mine at 4 and never budge from there, and I only use Wizamets in them…. Of course I use Wizamets in everything as that’s the blade that works best with my growth and skin preferences. You hit the nail on the head towards the end though… stick with that razor for awhile, I know your new and there’s lots of shiny things to try, but try sticking with a couple of razors for now to get your technique dialled in, and don’t change too many variables at once as you’ll never know which variable is leading to less than ideal results. Have a good one Eh!
@@JMac. thanks for the feedback and you along with a few others have said the same thing. I need to stick with the same thing for a bit before trying other things. Looks like I’m going back to my pre shave oil, TOBS, and maybe even the Personna Platinum.
@@Shave_and_chat you’re welcome! Yeah, most important thing is consistency, at least until you really get the fundamentals down, than it’s a one to start throwing things into the mix. I would suggest maybe an upgrade on the software though… get yourself something premium, like Ariana and Evan’s, Gentleman’s Nod, Løthur, etc… your worth it? Plus those are solid soaps and you take one variable off the table right away, no fussing with lather, those brands flat out perform and they are super slick, which gives you some forgiveness if your technique isn’t quite there yet.
Thanks again, this is perfect because I have a few sample A&E plus a few pucks. I’ll give one of them a shot for my next shave.
@@Shave_and_chat you’re welcome! And man, you’re in for a treat than… A&E is Top tier software, you’ll love the results.
@@JMac. I tried the Bay Rum and enjoyed it. Should I stick with an Ultima? Or does that even matter?
You should work on your lather. It looks too dry.
Yes I still need to work on my lather. For some reason I have a better time lathering cream than lathering soap. I’ll figure it out eventually.
How did you fail so bad ? 😂 you don’t look like you have fought with a cat.
@@kirkoneill1387 I barely had a shave. I so scared I was going yo cut myself that I didn’t pay attention to my lather and my angle of the razor was way off! 🤦♂️
@@Shave_and_chat how likely am I to nick myself while trying to get the angle right?
@@kirkoneill1387 hmm… that’s a good question and I think it depends on the person. For example, I kicked my self the very first time I put the razor to my cheek. That being said, I’m the type of person that needs to be put in a bubble! 😂😂😂😂.
You’ll do great, you’re out there learning, take everything you’re learning and create your way of doing things. Make sense?