Fat Boy Question

[SafetyRazorDave]

Hey all,

I have a quick question about my newly acquired Fat Boy. After looking at some other pictures online of Fat Boys I've noticed that there is a larger gap between the adjustment dial and the handle, as well as a visible brass (or whatever it is) ring. My first thought was that it was disassembled and then not put back snuggly, but I dunno.

Is this normal? It works perfectly so it's not a matter of functionality, just curious. I've included a picture.

Thanks!

 

[ezmike]

Normal, there's a thread about these somewhere. I have one and the experts here have determined that these are transition year Fat Boys between the 195 and what followed with the black ring.

Do not take apart.

Mike

 

[SafetyRazorDave]

Normal, there's a thread about these somewhere. I have one and the experts here have determined that these are transition year Fat Boys between the 195 and what followed with the black ring.

Do not take apart.

Mike

Thanks Mike. Oh I absolutely had NO intention of taking it apart. I would totally mess it up.

Actually the transition would make sense seeing as this is a '58 which is the first year of the Fat Boy IIRC.

 

[Deliverator]

I have read a post at some point that, in general, the production models from D-4 through E-3 all look like this, although there may be exceptions. New, the brass colored band would have been black.

 

[crugg]

As long as you are getting interested in your hardware. Here is an very descriptive article on taking apart and cleaning the FB. I have only gone and taken the shaft out and cleaned the spring and such but it is a helpful tutorial.

 

[Kentos]

Would that gap depend on the setting of the adjustment ring? Big gap on 1
smaller gap on 9? Maybe?

 

[SafetyRazorDave]

I have read a post at some point that, in general, the production models from D-4 through E-3 all look like this, although there may be exceptions. New, the brass colored band would have been black.

Ah, that makes sense. I have seen some pictures of Fat Boys with a black ring around there. My model is D-4 so it fits right in that time period. Thanks!

As long as you are getting interested in your hardware. Here is an very descriptive article on taking apart and cleaning the FB. I have only gone and taken the shaft out and cleaned the spring and such but it is a helpful tutorial.

Thanks for the link. I browsed through that article before...I find it a bit too much for me. I don't want to have to do all those fiddly bits. But I did notice that the razor shown in that tuturial also had that brass band.

Would that gap depend on the setting of the adjustment ring? Big gap on 1
smaller gap on 9? Maybe?

Nope. I just checked and it remains constant through all the adjustments. I'm not worried about it anymore as it seems that it's just part of the model.

Thanks for all the responses! I do feel quite relieved now as I'm convinced it is a normal feature of this Fat Boy.

 

[mandoman]

mine has a black rubber washer of some sort on it

 

[Hank21]

I have an E3 FB in excellent condition and the band below the adjustment ring is black and the numbers have all their paint. I don't know what the black band is made of. It's very smooth and even. It might be anodized paint. It looks too thin and shiny to be rubber or bakelite and I can't imagine rubber holding up for 51 years without showing signs of oxidation. The gap is smaller between the adjustment ring and the handle on the one I have than the one shown in the photo. I don't see evidence of a seam or shoulder under the black band.

I don't think the razor was ever used before I got it. I've been shaving with it every day for months. I used my 65 Slim Adjustable yesterday for the first time in a while and my 65 Super Speed today. They're also in excellent condition and shave really well.