A question for adjustable users

[Smell The Glove]

Do you dial up or down during a shave?

I use a Merkur Futur most times. Since I started daily shaving I dialled down a couple of notches as I find it milder on my skin. And a sharp blade on a less aggressive razor gives me a closer shave.
On that theory, if shaving a few days growth, I would say that one should use a more aggressive setting on the first pass to mow through the long hairs then dial down for finishing passes.

However I tend not to change the setting during a shave (messing with variables and all that). If I haven't shaved for a day or two I'll maybe dial up, but the setting largely remains the same (2 or 3 or in between).

It's no big deal, just wondering how others do it. I'm guessing that with most things concerning our hobby no two answers will be the same.

 

[Jeltz]

I leave it set on 3 but tend to use a straight if I've not shaved for a few days.

 

[quattrojames]

My only adjustable is a Fatboy, and I generally dial it down, starting at say 5 and dialling it down to 2 or 3 for the final tidy up pass. Having said that I've given thought to clearing the majority of the stubble on a lower setting, and winding it up to a more aggressive setting for the tidy up pass to get a closer final shave.

I don't know :? Like you say, there's no right or wrong really!

 

[antdad]

I dial up if I want closer.

 

[Adam D]

With my Slim I start on a 3 and then do a 6.

I am still sussing out my Super at the moment :?

 

[IanM]

I have a Futur, and the setting is dicatated by what blade I am using. 3 with a Swede, a bit less with an Iridium or Feather. I have tried altering settings during the shave, but did not notice any real advantage.

Ian

 

[mantic59]

My first pass is always at a low setting (~2.5 on my Progress w/Derby blade). If I have a thick, multi-day growth I'll re-shave the first pass at a 3. Successive passes are usually at 3-3.5. Touch-ups if necessary are done back down on 2.5

 

[JohnnyO]

My Slim just lives at 8 & gets left alone.

JohnnyO.

 

[antdad]

My Slim just lives at 8 & gets left alone.

Not much use at that setting if you don't use it JohnnyO.

 

[lagaffe]

I've discovered that I get a great shave with a high initial setting (up to the max on the Slim or Fatboy) for WTG/XTG, then I dial down to a 3 for ATG. Done with a Feather, I get a cracking shave.

Futur - 6 then 2.5 or 3.

 

[antdad]

Does the "mowing the lawn" analogy apply here?

You wouldn't set the mower on its shortest (grass) setting only to then set on a longer setting for another pass. Just a thought.

 

[Smell The Glove]

Futur - 6 then 2.5 or 3.

The Futur set at 6? Maybe if I wanted to plane a couple of mm from a door or something. :lol:

 

[Adam D]

Does the "mowing the lawn" analogy apply here?

You wouldn't set the mower on its shortest (grass) setting only to then set on a longer setting for another pass. Just a thought.

Some people go right in there with the shortest cut first and then end up with lots of brown/dead patches in their lawn, which could analogous to nicks and cuts and irritation.

 

[antdad]

I'll just repeat advice that has served me well concerning adjustable's.

Find the ONE setting that gives you a DFS or adequate shave, if you want some thing closer dial around that setting so for example.
When I use my fatboy it's set on seven most of the time, if I'm in the mood for closer then I go for a pass on 6 then 8 and then 3/4 for touch up.

That's for a noticeable difference, moving one setting between passes didn't really do it for me. Low setting for touch up to avoid irritation.

 

[hando]

for me it's always been dial down for ATG\XTG

Gillette Adjustables = WTG @ 5
XTG\ATG @ 3

Progress = WTG @ 3-4
XTG\ATG @ 2-3

first 2 passes WTG and 1 pass XTG\ATG

 

[JohnnyO]

My Slim just lives at 8 & gets left alone.

Not much use at that setting if you don't use it JohnnyO.

Got to love that Anster !!!

JohnnyO