Fatboy

[Steve M]

Just received my first DE Vintage razor ( Fatboy) and have used it for the first time.
Despite what ive read these are far from an aggresive razor. I had to set it immediatly to 9 just to get a shave as anything less was not cutting hair.
I thought at first that it was my technique and angle letting me down as i use straights as a rule but i also use a Vision and HD Slant on occasion and both are far closer shavers.
I know its early days with this razor but has anyone got any ideas why i cannot get a decent shave with it

 

[spinyeel]

I can't help you buddy. I have never considered the Fat Boy a good shaver.Over engineered in my opinion.The Slim is much nicer.

 

[adonnellyr]

I also use a straight on most days, but my only foray into DE shaving thus far has been with the Fatboy. I started shaving with it on 9 almost immediately and also found myself wanting a little more aggression out of it. Still, I cant get a really great shave out of it--just not quite up to the BBS standards set by my straights. I think you might be wise to move to SEs for that style of shaving if you want a variation from your straights (I think I might give them a try soon as well: a Gillette NEW or a Gem). Just a thought!

 

[Steve M]

Thanks for your help.
When i use my Vision I have to dial it down as the razor is very aggresive even when used to straights
With the Fatboy the angle even when set at 9 is very timid.
Loads of reviews on here regarding people using these on a really low setting, How?

 

[Viiru]

Heh. I get a BBS shave consistently on a Fatboy set to 3 or so. The mileage does vary a bit...

 

[beyboo]

Just received my first DE Vintage razor ( Fatboy) and have used it for the first time.
Despite what ive read these are far from an aggresive razor. I had to set it immediatly to 9 just to get a shave as anything less was not cutting hair.
I thought at first that it was my technique and angle letting me down as i use straights as a rule but i also use a Vision and HD Slant on occasion and both are far closer shavers.
I know its early days with this razor but has anyone got any ideas why i cannot get a decent shave with it

I had a fatboy delivered around 2 weeks ago. The last week was spent using it exclusively with a derby in it. So far the best shaves of my life with this razor without nicks. I have dialled it to 6 with amazing results. I could also go ATG without any irritation. Currently THE razor of choice to experiment with other blades.

^Maybe a case of YMMV

 

[Captain Flint]

Well, I never used a Fatboy but having shaved several times with a Slim I'd say it all depends on the blade you're using. You can take a Feather and shave in any position and you will always get an excellent results. As for the other blades, I guess you must be patient and try different angles and settings...

 

[Steve M]

I always use Derbys in my Safety Razors and normally with good results.
I will continue to use it this week just in case there is a bit of a learning curb with the Gillette.

 

[adonnellyr]

The Derbys work fine in my Fatboy, although I find myself REALLY loving the Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharpedge blades. It's possible that over time your Fatboy may have taken a few smalls bumps on the safety razors and pushed them up so that yours is a bit less aggressive than ours. I've heard of that before, but I don't know how likely it is... Especially since I shave on a 9 with mine, so I suspect it's just us being used to straights. I have found that where I'm wanting more aggression with it, primarily on my cheeks, I eliminated that need by resigning myself to a three-pass shave with my DE instead of a two-pass shave with my straight. Still, those SEs are looking mighty tempting...

 

[Above The Tie]

Those Fat Boys are great looking tools but I get better shaves with a 38c or Super Speeds with Feathers.

 

[Oldguy]

Those Fat Boys are great looking tools but I get better shaves with a 38c or Super Speeds with Feathers.

I get my best shaves with a Super Speed as well. But the Fatboy set to a 4 or 5 gives me a more then acceptable shave. I find the 38C is less aggressive and prefer any of the Gillette's. YMMV.

Len

 

[Tom C]

I can't help you buddy. I have never considered the Fat Boy a good shaver.Over engineered in my opinion.The Slim is much nicer.

What's the difference, other than the handle. They're both adjustable TTO Gillettes, right? How is the Fatboy over engineered?

 

[ctakim]

The head of the Fat Boy is thicker from top to bottom than the slim. I find it has a nice hefty feel, but less maneuverable than the slim or super adjustable.

 

[Disburden]

I like the fatboy but I have to use a lot of passes to get a good BBS with it. I since then have become a straight shaver, and I save my DEs for lazy mornings, or when I am in a rush for work with a Feather blade. I find the Gillette NEW open combs are the closet shavers as far as DEs are concerned. I would try maybe a GEM SE and see how you like those, they shave very close like a straight can.

I always find it strange when some of the guys say they like the slim better, I get way better shaves from the fat boy because of the heft to it.

 

[heirkb]

Hmmm...I get very close to BBS with two passes on a slim at 9. I just cannot go ATG with anything. I may have to give feathers a try, but I've tried many other DE's and blades and nope on the ATG.
Anyways, I don't find the Gillette adjustables to be very aggressive. They're the most aggressive I've tried, but I don't have the same experience as many others. Most think that once you get past 5 or 6, the chance of getting nicks is very high. I rarely get nicked even at 9 (slim and toggle). Except this morning with little cousins running around...

 

[Tommy C]

I am trying to get a long with my Fat Boy but no luck.
Tried it low (1-3), high (7-9) and received very mediocre results.
I get better results with my Slim, Super Speed, Red Tip and Merkur HD.
I am going to give it another chance this week and if it doesn't work out, I will put him on the block for trade. Too bad because it looks great and mine is in mint condition.

 

[jakespoppy]

I am trying to get a long with my Fat Boy but no luck.
Tried it low (1-3), high (7-9) and received very mediocre results.
I get better results with my Slim, Super Speed, Red Tip and Merkur HD.
I am going to give it another chance this week and if it doesn't work out, I will put him on the block for trade. Too bad because it looks great and mine is in mint condition.

I really hope the Fatboy works out for you, because it has such a great look and feel to it. But if you decide to put it up for sale or trade, it will get a lot of interest here.

 

[nuovorecord]

It took me awhile to get good shaves with my Fat Boy. Had to play around with different blades at various settings. The combination that seems to work now is a Gillette 7 O'Clock yellow, set at 4 or 5.

 

[Steve M]

Just had my third shave with it today. The results are better but still needed loads of passes and setting constantly to 9.
This is a totally different animal to my Merkur Vision. The Vision goes from very mild to skin graft mode ( blade at a right angle ).
With the Vision you can hear and feel every hair being cut but the Fatboy is gentle and silent.
On a plus side i have zero irritation from this razor despite the excessive passes.

 

[Laz]

I have a slim and a fatboy. I like the weight and feel of the fatboy much more. Although it took me about a week to get used to the head of the razor. I don't get bad shave with the slim, but was expecting better after reading the reviews. I have also picked up a new and I am enjoying it as well.