This morning was my first shave with my Fatboy. I used a new Astra SP blade and set the gap at 6. It became aggressive and not smooth at all. This is nothing like my Merkur 37G Slant, EJ89, Super Speed, Tech or Aristocrat. I even lowered the gap in mid shave. After I was through I had some weeping that I had to blot out with cold water and a towel. How does one determine the proper setting on one of these? Is there any other technique that should be employed when using this razor?
First Shave With Gillette Fatboy G-1 Adjustable
- Thread starter rivieraranch
- Start date
Start it at 2 and see how you like that. Next shave move it to 3 and so on and so on until you find your sweet spot.
You will find that every razor and blade combo are different could be that your Fatboy doesn't work well with the Astra sp but may work better at a different setting with the Astra.
6 is a huge blade gap. HUGE i tell you. Its like well really big! Try 3, two is reallllly mild. I use 4-5 depending on when io last shaved. 4 is right there on the edge of aggre3ssive. At 5 I have to watch myself BUT its really effective. I use feathers. They seem to work in everything. I used Astras in it too and they were good as well.
Don't give up on the Fatboy. It gives great shaves. I love my dialed at #7.
WARHAWK
WARHAWK
Fatboy is my favorite razor, always a smooth shave. My first pass is at 8, second pass at 4, and finally against the grain at 1 or 2 (regardless of which pass, I never go above 3 on my neck, it's too sensitive). Keep at it. As always, use no pressure.
+ 1 Also, try different blades in it. Good luck.
I have a Slim, usually on #4, but I never (until I saw your post) though about using a different setting for each pass. Interesting posibilities .....
i just had one of those ahhh ha moments. why didn't i think of that.
Mine is usually set to 3 for the first pass. For extra coarse spots like my chin ill set it to 4 or 5 on the first pass, then maybe 6 on the second pass.
I have been using #4 and starting to try #5 for the 3x passes, but what you suggested above is what I was thinking about trying on my slim and my Gillette Black blades
- Thread starter
- #13
I let my Fat Boy lay out of rotation for a while. Today I popped a new Vokshod into it and set it on 5. It was way too aggressive, scratchy in fact. I opened the doors and dialed it back to 3 and it was extremely mild.
I seem to enjoy my shaves a lot more with my Aristocrat, President and an old Super Speed.
I seem to enjoy my shaves a lot more with my Aristocrat, President and an old Super Speed.
I go 7, for wtg 5, for xtg and 3, for atg with a derby.
You said it "became aggressive" . . . does that mean the shave started out ok and then got worse as you went on? How was it after you lowered the adjustment? Still aggressive?
One thing to be sure of with a Gillette adjustable - make sure that the compression spring is felt when you tighten the TTO knob fully. This is what some refer to as the "quarter-turn lockdown." If the spring does not compress, the razor won't be locked, will loosen up during use, and get quite nippy.
As to "proper setting" - that will vary depending on blade, beard, skin, etc. I started using mine on 3, and stayed with that for a few shaves before trying other settings. Jumping around won't help you get a "feel" for the razor. Get consistent results, even if mild, before dialing it up. Once you find the "sweet spot" you'll know it!
Good point - that may have been what it was. Although 6 wasn't probably the best starting setting. I vary my setting between 3 and 9 depending on blade.
