Fatboy settings....change during a shave?

[kingfisher]

Does anybody think it would be a good idea to use, for example, setting 5 for the first pass or first two passes and then switch to a milder setting for the third pass (maybe 3 or something)? Or does everybody keep it on the same setting for the entire shave?

I've been using it at 5 for the entire shave but I wonder if there would be an advantage in dialing it down for later passes.

Thanks in advance.

 

[garyg]

I have seen recommendations for all three potential moves - dialing up, dialing down, staying the same. Me, I stay the same unless right at the start something is wrong, but I 99% stay at 8 these days

 

[Venom8431]

That sounds like a good idea. You figure, you have the more aggressive setting to clear through for stubble on the first passes and the milder setting to gently pick up the remaining stubble. That way, you can get through more passes, but not have to worry about more irritation.

 

[Batman]

Excellent question - I broke out my slim adjustable the other day wondering the same. I have read various opinions.

I chose to do the first pass at 5, then dial down to a 2 or 3 for the remaining passes. I found that I could really get close to BBS since it was at a milder setting towards the end of the shave.

 

[moonshine44]

I actually run my Slim just the opposite. I make the first pass on 4, the second pass on 5. Two passes, DFS...

 

[kingfisher]

I dialed it back to 3 this morning for the 3rd pass and touch-ups. Worked pretty well. Not sure it was any better than just leaving it at 5 the whole time, though. More experimentation is in order.

 

[SUMMERSRL]

Thanks for asking the question! I have a Fatboy coming in the mail and had much the same question running through my mind. Let us know your experience as you try the different options.

 

[Oldguy]

I don't think there is anything gained by dialing back after two passes. I find there's nothing left to cut. I generally find leaving the setting put works just fine. I have found, at times, that bumping up a notch is great for picking up what's left after the first two passes. Of course you could bypass the adjustable all together and go with an Old type. I used one yesterday and found that two passes was all I needed.

Len

 

[Swampfox]

I have been dialing my Slim up for the first pass, and dialing down for additional passes, especially for my neck. Today. I stayed at 5 the whole time, DFS.

 

[Hudsy]

Having recently picked up a fatboy, this morning was the first time that I used it (recently developed AD and bought a number of razors, the main one I have been using is a red tip).

Not knowing the best way to get acquainted with it I set it at 3 and attempted a couple of strokes. I found that it wasn't agressive enough so I dialed it up right away to 5 or 6 (can't recall off-hand) and it felt great. Two passes and I was done with a nice smooth comfortable shave (both face and head).

 

[K9DVM]

I don't use a Fatboy but with my Mergress I dial up on the first 2 passes and then any ATG passes I dial way down. My beard is very coarse and if I don't dial down then the blade tends to really grab on and dig in. In other words it will pull my skin into the gap which results in weepers and cuts.

 

[bradyarz]

still waiting on my fatboy to get here. it should only be another day or two!!

my most often used razor to this point is my merkur 23c. since i haven't had the ability to adjust my blade in this razor, i've been thinking that i would leave the fatboy on one setting all the way through until i get more used to it, then begin the experimentation once i find a good blade.

that being said, i took a look at the list of razors according to aggressiveness on the wiki, and the 23c is roughly equal to a fatboy on 3. i can get a decent shave with the 23c, but i've always sort of felt something was lacking. would anyone here recommend trying the fatboy on a 5 for the first time, or am i asking for trouble?

 

[Swampfox]

that being said, i took a look at the list of razors according to aggressiveness on the wiki, and the 23c is roughly equal to a fatboy on 3. i can get a decent shave with the 23c, but i've always sort of felt something was lacking. would anyone here recommend trying the fatboy on a 5 for the first time, or am i asking for trouble?

5 was a good setting for me, and I used it again today. I am using a Slim, but it should be similar.

 

[Lost Dog]

For me it's a 5 on the first pass and a 7 on the rest!

 

[kingfisher]

still waiting on my fatboy to get here. it should only be another day or two!!

my most often used razor to this point is my merkur 23c. since i haven't had the ability to adjust my blade in this razor, i've been thinking that i would leave the fatboy on one setting all the way through until i get more used to it, then begin the experimentation once i find a good blade.

that being said, i took a look at the list of razors according to aggressiveness on the wiki, and the 23c is roughly equal to a fatboy on 3. i can get a decent shave with the 23c, but i've always sort of felt something was lacking. would anyone here recommend trying the fatboy on a 5 for the first time, or am i asking for trouble?

You should definitely start on 5. It's like magic. Don't worry about it, just watch your angle and shave away. I predict you will be very pleasantly surprised by the difference between your Fatboy on 5 and your 23c.

 

[Hudsy]

I just checked the setting and my first shave with it was on a 6 with a feather blade.

No worries!

 

[aquilla]

i tend to do wtg 4-6 dependant on how much growth i have, atg 9 and if i really want to take my time final wtg or xtg 9, i use this almost only on a slim because i prefer the slim but when i do use the fatboy i do the same.

 

[bill mcdill]

I suggest starting at 3, but this depends on your blade, your skill, and your health insurance.

 

[VaHomebrewer]

I suggest starting at 3, but this depends on your blade, your skill, and your health insurance.

That's what I did with my Slim, and I found that it is almost literally impossible to nick or cut yourself on this setting - but that it doesn't quite shave as closely as I'd like either. I've since moved up to 4 and find that works better and it's still next to impossible to injure yourself.

 

[DonOhio]

I start at 4, then go up to a s-l-o-w 7 or 8 (depending on growth). Tried high-to-low first; should work but it just doesn't for me. Weird.