Adjustable razor advice

[bcalvary]

Just sent back a PIF fatboy ( I’ve always wanted to try one because of all the hype it gets here on B&B. I thought nothing could “ever” shave like a slant…. Well I’m eating crow now. I like the slant/feather combo because of the aggressiveness, well there is another category aggressiveness/“smooth”. Now I see why all the hype…. WOW!
My first shave with the fatboy/feather combo setting #9 2 passes was as close to a perfect shave as I have ever gotten. Guys, help me out here. I don’t have tons of money so buying all these different razors just isn’t in my budget and I’m not one to buy and sell stuff. Are other adjustable razors as good as the fatboy? I’ve been checking and prices are so high….. $50 for a shave grade.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

You could easily get a shaver grade FatBoy here on the boards for well under $50. It seems like FatBoys have been going for 30-65 depending on condition and wether it has a case.

The only other adjustable I've tried are the Slim and a Toggle. The Toggle is definitely going to be more than you are wanting to spend. And the Slim and the FatBoy just shave differently. I like the longer handle of the Slim, but I like the extra weight and balance of the FatBoy.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Everyone is different, but of all the razors I have, the Fat Boy gets the least use. I get consistently better, smoother shaves with every other razor I have.

I'm one of the folks that just doesn't understand all the hype.

 

[bcalvary]

You wanta sell it?

 

[DunEdinRanger]

You wanta sell it?

Nope. It's my birth year razor.

I think if you're going to try an adjustable, Slims can be had for cheap and they give good shaves.

Production models today include the Futur and the Progress made by Merkur.

 

[bcalvary]

Ok, what are the questions I should ask when buying a fatboy, other than condition, do the doors close tight, brassing, paint on the numbers?

 

[DunEdinRanger]

The paint on the numbers is an aesthetic selling point, and normally does not affect functionality.

The silo doors and the TTO mechanism should be good, and safety bars straight, not bent or damaged.

You also want to make sure there is a photo of the razor head with the silo doors open and closed.

Don't forget the Slims. They are great shavers at a much lower price.

Good Luck.

 

[Hank21]

Everyone is different, but of all the razors I have, the Fat Boy gets the least use. I get consistently better, smoother shaves with every other razor I have.

I'm one of the folks that just doesn't understand all the hype.

Your not alone and the razor is in excellent condition too.

 

[Hank21]

This is my experience with Fatboys:

My first one was a '60 that was a dog!! I could not get a decent shave with it on any setting, any blade, any soap or cream. However, I dropped it on the tile floor and so it was history. Not one to give up easily, I found a couple on Ebay - a '59 and a '60 and picked up each one for <$45.00. Both are wonderful - pop in a Personna Red and use a good cream like TOBS or Proraso Green Tea and Aloe and it is a most pleasurable shave.

So how do you know if you will get a good one? As mentioned above, the paint on the numbers is generally a selling point. Both my '59 and '60 have number paint missing. Both have a little pitting and "brassing". Both of these 50 year old warriors are great razors. So the question is, "How do you know you are you are getting a good razor?" I guess it is a little luck? I saw where a Fatboy went for $102.00 on Ebay recently. I cannot imagine paying $100.00 + for a Fatboy and I cannot imagine it shaves any better than my Fatboys. As I have said in the past, I am kind of rambling. The bottom line is that your are taking a chance when ordering one of the old razors. My desire is that you can get lucky and pick up some good ones as my '59 and '60 Fatboys are great.

Did the razor appear damaged after you dropped it?

 

[Lando]

i like the heft of the fat boy. i find the slim to be too light, feels a bit hollow

 

[americanarmsdealer]

You don't necessarily have to take a shot in the dark and buy one off of the bay or somewhere else online. Keep an eye out in your local antique shops and flea markets. The Fatboys are out there, just be patient and keep looking! Good luck in your hunt!

 

[Topgumby]

Fat Boys are nice, but so are Slims, and they aren't as spendy.

I get great shaves with both, and while I enjoy the heft of the Fat Boy, I seem to get slightly better results on average with the Slim or a Super Adjustable.

 

[dreadpirate]

I have both the slim and fatboy. I think the slim is a better value. I would not pay $60 for a fatboy when I can get a descent slim for $30 or less. The head or the fatboy is thicker. I think the slim is more maneuverable.

 

[insomniac]

+1 on getting a Slim - you'll want to try one anyway.

Fat Boy fever will pass.

 

[Hank21]

Oh yea!! Hit just right to bend a door and knock one off. The top was out of alignment to the handle. Glad I was able to get a replacement at a reasonable price.

That's pretty bad.

I just got an E3/1959 Gillette adjustable razor in excellent condition a few weeks ago. I used it a couple of times but don't really care for it. I've been using a black W1/1976 superspeed for a very long time. It's nothing fancy and does a good job.

 

[Hank21]

I have both the slim and fatboy. I think the slim is a better value. I would not pay $60 for a fatboy when I can get a descent slim for $30 or less. The head or the fatboy is thicker. I think the slim is more maneuverable.

I hadn't shaved for 3 days and found it tough to get a decent angle with it. It felt very metallic - like it was scraping against my skin. Pretty irritating shave. I had it set for 9 with a new Wilkinson blade. I used the same blade in my black superspeed afterward for at least 4 shaves without a problem.

 

[mark_mw]

Slims are less spendy, Fatboys have more style, and the owner is a WINNER with EITHER! Just get both!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bcalvary]

Thank you for the advice, looks like Hoosier Trooper felt sorry for me and fixed me up with a F-1 fatboy that will be mailed out Monday
No more PIF's for me.... I can't afford it

 

[Doug_in_NNY]

I've received several vintage Gillette razors from eBay sellers in recent weeks. The adjuster dial on one Slim and one Fatboy worked well enough but the sleeve between the adjuster ring and the shaver's head was frozen in place.

Sometimes the people who sell these things move the dial between 1 and 9 and, without checking, assume that the adjustment mechanism is working. Unless that adjusting sleeve moves up and down freely, it's not working.

Both sellers were very courteous. One replaced the locked-up Slim and I managed to free the Fatboy.

So, if your shave with a vintage Gillette adjustable leaves something to be desired, first check to see if the adjustment mechanism is actually, oh, I don't know, adjusting.

Doug

 

[Copierguy]

I hadn't shaved for 3 days and found it tough to get a decent angle with it. It felt very metallic - like it was scraping against my skin. Pretty irritating shave. I had it set for 9 with a new Wilkinson blade. I used the same blade in my black superspeed afterward for at least 4 shaves without a problem.

The moral to the story maybe......start on 3 and adjust from there.