Adjustable w/dial at the bottom

[marty44]

Hi, Some time ago I saw a photo of a Gillette Adjustable with the setting
dial at the bottom of the handle. While I've seen several toggle adjustables on E-Bay I've not come upon an adj. dial on the lower handle. Are these that rare in comparison to a toggle adjustable?
Thanks for any bit-o-history.
Marty

 

[Stubblefield]

The Adjustable 195/Fatboy. Quite rare.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

They are very, very rare. I think there are maybe only 2-3 people on the forum who own one.

 

[amishmotorboat]

It should be noted that the 195 is what we call it here to differentiate it from the more common fatboy. In the world at large, however, the 195 could mean a regular fatboy, since that is what it's name was - derived from the price tag.

 

[Pioneer]

It should be noted that the 195 is what we call it here to differentiate it from the more common fatboy. In the world at large, however, the 195 could mean a regular fatboy, since that is what it's name was - derived from the price tag.

Yes - nice clarification.

 

[marty44]

Thanks, That explains why I've only seen one and it was in a collection.
It would be interesting to see the bidding on one of those but who wants to dispose of one as rare.

Were they not real comfortable to shave with having the dial below or was it some mechanical issue that they reverted back to the top dial?
On that vein of thinking, was there an issue with the toggle adjustable razor?

 

[Copierguy]

Hi, Some time ago I saw a photo of a Gillette Adjustable with the setting
dial at the bottom of the handle. While I've seen several toggle adjustables on E-Bay I've not come upon an adj. dial on the lower handle. Are these that rare in comparison to a toggle adjustable?
Thanks for any bit-o-history.
Marty

Thanks, That explains why I've only seen one and it was in a collection.
It would be interesting to see the bidding on one of those but who wants to dispose of one as rare.

Were they not real comfortable to shave with having the dial below or was it some mechanical issue that they reverted back to the top dial?
On that vein of thinking, was there an issue with the toggle adjustable razor?

I've just recently found this bottom dial. I do not know the mind of Gillette. Why they went with what is now considered the standard FatBoy and then the slim. In the late 50s through 1960 they seem to have had a flurry of creativity with different adjustable designs.

As to how it shaves, I'm really rather pleased so far with the shave. I'm in day two of a test with all the razors is the linked photo.

 

[thirdeye]

As to how it shaves, I'm really rather pleased so far with the shave. I'm in day two of a test with all the razors is the linked photo.

We call it the 195 Prototype........
I really enjoy using mine as well. I like the way the dail provides a resting place for my finger.
It's nice that it's a rare collectible but by the same token it is a shame Gillette did not stick with it as I like it much better than my regular Fatboys.