FatBoy vs. Slim vs. Super

[OpusX]

Of all my razors (which aren't many), my favorite by far has been my Slim adjustable. I've recently been thinking of acquiring a Fatboy or Super adjustable. The real debate is between the weight of the Fatboy or the extra length of the Super. I'm not sure which will really tip me over the edge on switching off of the Slim. Right now I'm leaning toward the Super because I like the idea of the extra handle length, but am worried it won't be heavy enough for my taste. I know the Fatboy will have the weight, but is it really that different from a Slim?

Granted the proper answer to this question is "get them all", which will probably happen anyway, but I'd like to entertain the notion that I have some type of self control over the matter .

So the question is, which do you prefer Fatboy, Slim, or Super adjustable? Advantages/disadvantages?

For reference, I use my Slim on 9 w Israeli Reds and absolutely love it.

 

[Dave Deluxe]

I don’t have a “Fatboy” so can’t really tell you anything about that.

I do have both a “Slim” & a “Super Adjustable”. Unfortunately my experience with the “SA” wasn’t that positive. The adjusting mechanism started to mulfuntion shortly after I got it, so I only got about a little over a weeks worth of use from it. So I have to give it a thumbs down on the the durability scale. On the positive, if you are coming directly from using a “disposable”, then the “SA” is easy to adapt to due to the longer thinner handle and I liked that aspect.

The “Slim” is of entirely metal construction it feels more solid and is. The shorter handle felt a little awkward coming from the “SA”, but only took about a day or two to adapt and I no longer missed the longer handled “SA”. It works like a charm and I can recommend it. The 1 - 9 scale on both was very similar.

Which brings me to the point that I’d like to make. Either of them, like any razor, can be fine shaving tool, if you allow ample time to adapt to them, and get the feel for what they will do. Ultimately I don’t use the “Slim” as my primary tool either, because I found that I liked the EJ DE89L better, but I can go back to the “Slim” if desired and feel good about using it.

I may get another “Super Adjustable” some day, but in reality, it has become a low priority because there likely other razors that would give my meager collection better diversity.

DD

 

[RCC]

I don’t have a “Fatboy” so can’t really tell you anything about that.

I do have both a “Slim” & a “Super Adjustable”. Unfortunately my experience with the “SA” wasn’t that positive. The adjusting mechanism started to mulfuntion shortly after I got it, so I only got about a little over a weeks worth of use from it. So I have to give it a thumbs down on the the durability scale. On the positive, if you are coming directly from using a “disposable”, then the “SA” is easy to adapt to due to the longer thinner handle and I liked that aspect.

The “Slim” is of entirely metal construction it feels more solid and is. The shorter handle felt a little awkward coming from the “SA”, but only took about a day or two to adapt and I no longer missed the longer handled “SA”. It works like a charm and I can recommend it. The 1 - 9 scale on both was very similar.

Which brings me to the point that I’d like to make. Either of them, like any razor, can be fine shaving tool, if you allow ample time to adapt to them, and get the feel for what they will do. Ultimately I don’t use the “Slim” as my primary tool either, because I found that I liked the EJ DE89L better, but I can go back to the “Slim” if desired and feel good about using it.

I may get another “Super Adjustable” some day, but in reality, it has become a low priority because there likely other razors that would give my meager collection better diversity.

DD

well put Dave,

I haven't used an SA but own a 67 slim and a 61 FatBoy.
The FB is ~1/4" shorter and the heft is more like a 34C. I set both of mine on 7 and the shaves are pretty similar IMO (I use feathers).
But your point that it technique that ultimately defines the quality of the shave is really the pith of the matter. After 7 months of DE every day - and 10 different razors, 6 different blades etc etc etc - I'm finally to a place where I can pick a tool off my shelf and get a great shave. Perhaps that's the most important part of the experience.

That being said - buy them both...

 

[Lando]

I love my fatboys. gotta get one

 

[DerFly]

Unfortunately, my avatar just isn’t clear enough to get a handle on the handle lengths, so to speak.

As noted above, the Fatboy handle is about 1/4in shorter than the Slim. The Super Adjustable handle is about 1/8in longer whilst the long handle version of the SA is about another 1/2in again.

For newbs, I’d give the nod to the W and later years of the long handle SA as the balance due to the plastic parts makes the transition from multibade dollar muncher relatively easy.

I have or have had all of the above and if Gillette adjustable are your thing, it won’t be long before you have tried them all too. Don’t fight it!

That said, I’m currently going through a Fatboy phase. I think I’ll give my Slim a run next week.

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

Nothing shaves like a Slim. Great razor.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I haven't tried a SA (yet), but have owned a Slim and a Fatboy for several years.

The Slim gives a good shave, but I've always been partial to the Fatboy. Part of that is sentimental, but the extra weight contributes to a better shave for me. I also prefer the thicker handle.

 

[sodajerk]

I have all three and, for me, there is no difference in shave performance - just feel. Weight/balance has much to do with how they are held so it comes down to a subjective thing and I happen to like the feel of the Slim best but enjoy using all three. That's me, however, and I understand how someone else might make a different choice. Sorry, but you will never know the answer until you try one! )

 

[Copierguy]

You and I may pick up the same razor / blade combo and have different shaves. I have not used an SA yet, slims are great but for me the feel of a FB does it (for me). I have large hands and the heft factor feels right (for me)...

I would try them all and keep what works...

 

[Walter Sobchak]

I've used a couple of Fatboys for several shaves, but I could not get as comfortable with them as I am with my Slims. The Fatboy delivered excellent results, but I just prefer the feel of the Slims.

I have no experience with the SA, though.

 

[timmy]

Started with a Slim, Great shave. Just picked up a Fattie off the bay, in process of cleaning it up. Hoping it will give the same quality shave the Slim does.

 

[andyml73]

I love slims, I've on my third now and I've given another away as a present. Awesome razors.

I tried a SA (bought because it was close to birth date razor), and I was disappointed (?). It was mint condition but nothing like as good a shave for me as a slim. YMMV of course.

Fatboy... one for the future maybe

 

[raisindot]

Don't have the SA but I have both a Slim and two FBs.

The Slim is a bit easier to use, because of the handle and the head seems to be a little bit smaller, allowing for easier access to the problem areas (like them li'l whiskers under the nose).

But shaving with a FB is a lot more satisfying. The pure heft of the thing and its aesthetics just make it fun. I also think it has a lot to do with its reputation around these boards as a high-demand, less-common, higher priced 'classic.'

I suppose if you saw both of these models in an antique store and knew nothing of their history (or Ebay sales prices) you'd be able to make a more objective choice.

Jeff in Boston

 

[ctakim]

I honestly can't pick a favorite, as I like and use all three. They are different though. The Fat Boy is a hefty chunk of metal that feels like a real shaving instrument. The slim is much more maneuverable feeling, the the long handle of the super adjustable has great balance.

Use all three!!!

 

[OpusX]

Thanks for all of the feedback. From what I'm hearing, the Fatboy is a must, but I'm not sold on the SA. Honestly I didn't realize the SA had a plastic handle . I just have a feeling that the Slim is going to stay my favorite razor for a long while.

 

[brianw]

I had all three, Fatboy I PIF'ed as well as a Slim. Still have a Slim and a SA. I use them infrequently as I prefer the open combs, SE's and a str8. I could never get into the fatboy... it didn't do it for me.

 

[ctakim]

Thanks for all of the feedback. From what I'm hearing, the Fatboy is a must, but I'm not sold on the SA. Honestly I didn't realize the SA had a plastic handle . I just have a feeling that the Slim is going to stay my favorite razor for a long while.

The Super Adjustable handle is NOT plastic, it is resin coated metal. Some of the later models had some plastic components in the base of the head, but most of them were all metal.

That being said, the build quality of the Fat Boys and Slims are higher than the SAs IMHO.

 

[DonOhio]

I've had one SA in use since shortly after largely ditching SEs and starting with DEs. I've had at least three Fatboys and probably six Slims since then too. Tried each individual one of them. They're nice (edge to the Slim) but now they're all gone. SA is what's left: shaves the same to me as the others did. The length is the difference.

 

[OpusX]

The Super Adjustable handle is NOT plastic, it is resin coated metal. Some of the later models had some plastic components in the base of the head, but most of them were all metal.

That being said, the build quality of the Fat Boys and Slims are higher than the SAs IMHO.

Damn it....now I want an SA again .[goes off to cruise ebay]

 

[Sammer]

Just saw this cheap Slim on the bay... (BIN at $13.48 shipped) I promise it's not my listing. Shaver condition... I'd buy it if i didn't already have a Slim:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Gillett...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3caab8f0dc