First post . Planning on buying a Gillette Fat Boy of Ebay never had one before ,could anybody tell me what the setting would be on the razor that would give the equivalent shave as my current Gillette Mach 3 ?
Equivalent Settings on Fat Boy
- Thread starter frigiliana
- Start date
I would suggest a 5-6? The adjustables can be quite unforgiving if set high and working it like a "regular" razor. Just remember to let the weight of the razor do the work, you should not have to push or force it at all to cut whiskers!!
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks
5-6 is pretty high to start. I'd say a 2-3 compares to a cart. When you first get an adjustable, you should start low, and increase gradually until you find the best setting for you. It is completely different than a cartridge razor and should be treated as such.
Is this like asking what gear should I put my Cobra Mustang in to make it drive like a Tempo?
frigiliana:
Welcome to the B & B and it sounds like you're off to a great start, but please do take your time because Wet-Shaving is a 'journey' and not a race (oh by the way..I love my Merkurs 23C & 38C).
Also, it might wise to get a Razor Blade Sampler to see what blade is a good fit (sharp, dull, ect...), for your face and Razor, besides 'pulling the trigger' on a good deal for a shave brush, bowl and/or scuttle.
And yes...this Forum has the knowledge, ideas, and alround 'know-how' (see link below), to assist in your Wet-Shaving experience. In a nut-shell...your 'gonna' love it here
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=71700
Also, once you get time....please tell all of us a little about yourself in the Hall of Fame sub-forum
Christopher
Welcome to the B & B and it sounds like you're off to a great start, but please do take your time because Wet-Shaving is a 'journey' and not a race (oh by the way..I love my Merkurs 23C & 38C).
Also, it might wise to get a Razor Blade Sampler to see what blade is a good fit (sharp, dull, ect...), for your face and Razor, besides 'pulling the trigger' on a good deal for a shave brush, bowl and/or scuttle.
And yes...this Forum has the knowledge, ideas, and alround 'know-how' (see link below), to assist in your Wet-Shaving experience. In a nut-shell...your 'gonna' love it here
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=71700
Also, once you get time....please tell all of us a little about yourself in the Hall of Fame sub-forum
Christopher
+1, since you shave differently with a cart as you do with a DE. goal with DE shaving is reduction until you get that smooth close shave, which prevents you from removing a layer of skin as you do with the carts.
I switched from a Mach 3 to a Gillette slim the beginning of November. I have had no objections or problems with my Mach 3, but I decided to make the switch just for the nostalgia. I started in the 50s with a DE. I have been using soap and brush for over 45 years.
I began with the slim set at 3, so I would have less chance of a serious mishap as I got reacquainted with DE shaving. I used it at that setting for a month, getting better and better shaves while improving my technique.
Then I set it at 4 for the next two weeks. It was a little less mild, but I had no irritation problems. I got the same DFS results. Then, this morning, I shaved with it set at 5. I could tell it was a little more aggressive, but still no irritation and a DFS. I think it was a little closer on my neck than I would have gotten with a milder setting.
I strongly recommend that you start with a mild setting, as has already been suggested. Practice. Practice. Practice. Use the same brand of blade (unless you are certain you are getting bad shaves due to the blade) for at least one month. Introducing too many variables into the process will hinder your ability to appreciate the subtile differences that changes in your technique play in the results you get.
If you have been using more pressure to shave with a cartridge razor than was necessary to just touch the razor to your skin, STOP PRESSING DOWN. Use minimal pressure with a DE. If your shaves are not as close when you make the transition to a DE, don't worry about it. Better (closer, more comfortable) shaves will come as you improve your technique.
And, welcome aboard.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks once again for all your help and advice. Just as a by the way, i have seen a Fat Boy on The Bay New unused what could i expect to pay for the razor?
It depends on so many factors: general condition, plating, mechanical function, cased or not, etc.
But for a good quality shaver don't pay more than $35. Extras like general condition, case, etc. add from there. My recommendation, ask for one on the WTB section of B&B and you'll get a better deal and a possibly a better razor.
Crank that bad boy up to a 9. I have a tough beard and anything less didn't cut.
I started out with mine on 3 per the advice of the member that sold it to me. Now I usually use it on 6-7 for my WTG passes and 5 for anything ATG below the jawline.
I don't think I have ever used it on 9
A bunch.
While I would love to own a NOS fatboy, the price of admission into that club can be pretty steep unless you happen to luck into one with a seller that has no idea of its value, and that isn't likely to be found on the bay.
Crank those adjustables wide open and use all of the efficiency they're capable of.
i won an auction not to long along for a FatBoy - $46 - it's great - i've been watching the auctions recently & i think there's a bit of a pre-Christmas premium in play - the range of final prices right now is 0-$175 roughly depending on number & severity of scratches, brassing, etc. - there are a few outliers out there that are from $225 to $500 but those are the rare and unusual ones, i.e. rhodium plated, gold plated, toggle instead of TTO, and NOS.
you have to experiment with the setting - i started at "3" and have had no reason to change - i've also settled on one blade, Gillette 7 'clocks - my puck is either Trumpers or Mitchell's Wool Fat, a bit of Palmolive shave cream, and a few drops of glycerin & lanolin - this combo with some water makes a great "uber" lather - virtually no burn - then nice easy strokes - down on the cheeks and every direction everywhere else for me.
good luck !!!!
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