Well, I don't know if it's a dual to the death, but here is a little comparo.
I've been shaving with a Gillette red tip for probably 12 years now, off and on. I gave that shaver to a buddy last year to get him started with a good razor.
To replace it I got a nice Fatboy off the Bay, because I started wanting one, and I deserve it.
No, really, I do.
Then recently I bought a nice Merkur-headed (I think) E-J from DRANDALL, and I have been switching back and forth between them for a couple of weeks now.
I pretty much just use Feathers, although I have some Iridiums on the way.
Anyway, some thoughts:
Closet shave without touching up goes to the Fatboy. I use it in between 3 and 6, just depends if I am trying to make time or Slow down and do it right.
It tends to glide easily on my face and is very agile, and does not slip. I shave in two passes, one down, one up.
Now the E-J has an odd character. It shaves very close, but the head has an odd stiction to it, like it has a suction on my skin. It's not unpleasant, and it does not "grab", but "glide" is not the word I would use to describe it.
Now the handle...ooooohhhh. The shape of the ivory-esque, turned handle is wonderful. It makes it a pleasure to hold and use, and has a shape pleasing to the eye. The Razor also seems more apt at the touching up 'J'-stroke I use on and under my jawline. It also is easy to hold the angle precisely to do those little quick planing motions under your snozzle. After all is said and done, touching up and all, the E-J is smoothest, and more pleasing in the hand.
The Fatboy is much more a tool, a no-nonsense extension of your hand that gets the job done, and does it well.
I don't really like a bunch of stuff in my area, so I can't give some extensive soft-goods breakdown, but as of this moment I'm using the Ogallala Bay rum and sandlewood soap, which is pretty good stuff, and sometimes AoS lavender cream. Again, a product I like.
Hope you find some usefullness from the post.
Brent.
I've been shaving with a Gillette red tip for probably 12 years now, off and on. I gave that shaver to a buddy last year to get him started with a good razor.
To replace it I got a nice Fatboy off the Bay, because I started wanting one, and I deserve it.
No, really, I do.
Then recently I bought a nice Merkur-headed (I think) E-J from DRANDALL, and I have been switching back and forth between them for a couple of weeks now.
I pretty much just use Feathers, although I have some Iridiums on the way.
Anyway, some thoughts:
Closet shave without touching up goes to the Fatboy. I use it in between 3 and 6, just depends if I am trying to make time or Slow down and do it right.
It tends to glide easily on my face and is very agile, and does not slip. I shave in two passes, one down, one up.
Now the E-J has an odd character. It shaves very close, but the head has an odd stiction to it, like it has a suction on my skin. It's not unpleasant, and it does not "grab", but "glide" is not the word I would use to describe it.
Now the handle...ooooohhhh. The shape of the ivory-esque, turned handle is wonderful. It makes it a pleasure to hold and use, and has a shape pleasing to the eye. The Razor also seems more apt at the touching up 'J'-stroke I use on and under my jawline. It also is easy to hold the angle precisely to do those little quick planing motions under your snozzle. After all is said and done, touching up and all, the E-J is smoothest, and more pleasing in the hand.
The Fatboy is much more a tool, a no-nonsense extension of your hand that gets the job done, and does it well.
I don't really like a bunch of stuff in my area, so I can't give some extensive soft-goods breakdown, but as of this moment I'm using the Ogallala Bay rum and sandlewood soap, which is pretty good stuff, and sometimes AoS lavender cream. Again, a product I like.
Hope you find some usefullness from the post.
Brent.
