Aristocrat vs. Fatboy
- Thread starter Sprags
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If you are talking about an adjustable Aristocrat from the 60s then just think gold plated Slim.
If you are talking 40s Aristocrat then think non-adjustable Fat Boy.
I suppose we aren't talking about the original Aristocrat?
-jim
-jim
- Thread starter
- #4
Yes. If it were nickel plated it would be a Slim. Because it is gold plated they called it the Aristocrat.
Then there is the real deal Aristocrat
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My '34 "Crat is my #1 go to razor, period. It provides a very smooth, very close, very comfortable BBS every time. I have used the Fatboy and find that it shaves just fine, but it is not in the same league as the '34 'Crat. If you have a way to obtain or try one at a reasonable price, I believe you will be quite pleased with its performance.
How does one identify a true '34 Aristocrat? They usually fetch quite a bit of money from collectors, since they were the original TTO. I've seen a few on eBay with no serial numbers listed that look much like the one pictured above, but I think the '35-'36 ones looked the same. Did the '34 even have a serial number or date code?
The only way I am aware to "tell" the '34 from the '36 & later is the case. The '34 had a leather case and the '36 & later a metal case. I know of no way to tell, from a photo, if the razor has been transplanted into a case different from that in which it left the factory. I believe that mine is a '34 based on the case. The Mr. Razor site has pictures of each case.
http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece open comb/open comb.htm
If you can find one in a crappy case, or with no case, that needs a replate, you may get a bargain.
http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/One-Piece open comb/open comb.htm
If you can find one in a crappy case, or with no case, that needs a replate, you may get a bargain.
If that's the case, then there is probably no difference in the shave, either? I'm not a collector for collecting sake, but of course, I'm always chasing a good shave. The Gillette Date Codes chart claims an 'E' for 1934, but looking at pictures on Mr. Razor, I don't see a date code on the baseplate anywhere.
Can you compare and contrast with a Gillette New Long Comb? I enjoy shaving with mine and haven't tried an Aristocrat.
If that's the case, then there is probably no difference in the shave, either? I'm not a collector for collecting sake, but of course, I'm always chasing a good shave. The Gillette Date Codes chart claims an 'E' for 1934, but looking at pictures on Mr. Razor, I don't see a date code on the baseplate anywhere.
Any reference to E = 1934 probably is talking about a date coded blade. Gillette did not start the (letter = year and number = quarter system) on their razors till 1950.
No real bargain when you consider the cost of a quality replate. I'm already into this including the cost of a replate at $165. I didn't do it for profit but restoration and hopes a true collector will want it one day. But the sheer beauty of the original purple on gold is stunning and rivals any razor made by Gillette thereafter.
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That is easy on the eyes.....thanks for the candy.
In fact, I can. My NEW LC is my #2 razor. It gives very comfortable BBS shaves, but it is a bit less smooth than the 'Crat. Don't get me wrong, if all I had was a NEW LC for the rest of my life, I could be pretty happy, but I do prefer, if only slightly, the 'Crat.
Very nice. I am not a collector, but a shaver. Mine was nasty when I got it and the case was worse. I thought I was going to have to replate mine and priced it accordingly when I bid. With some time scrubbing it, it came out pretty well and I don't have to do a replate. I am only in for $52, which is, to me, a great value for the quality of shave. Shoot, I would say your $165, given the quality of shave is a good value - especially for the eye-candy.
