Slow day here at the office so I am looking at adjustables on ebay. From the reviews here, it seems that this razor can be had for a decent deal, but from what i am seeing, they are gonna be $50 - $100. Is it a get lucky kind of find or are they just that much hard to find now than when the reviews were written?
Gillette Fatboy
- Thread starter jcblough
- Start date
The FB is a much in demand razor on Ebay. Often the prices are driven up.
You need to look in antique shops instead of eBay.
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- #4
I hit a couple @ lunch - no dice. I'll keep looking, I don't have any burning desire to drop $100 on one.
If you are patient enough you can usually find one on eBay for around 25-30 dollars.
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- #6
I loaded up my watch list. I'd pay say $30 or so. I like my merkur so much, I can't see it getting replaced.
You can get a Slim for a lot less if you don't absolutely have to have a Fatboy adjustable. A lot of people prefer the Slim. I love mine, but have not used a Fatboy to compare it to.
Keep an eye on the BST. You're more likely to get a decent deal on one there than anywhere else.
Stay away from the Bay. Or be very discerning. Patiently watch and be ready to act on BST and auction/thrift stores. I believe luck has a lot to do with it. I found my mint FB at an antique store for $20. There was another one in a case for $25 and I passed. What a dummy!
P.S. I also have a Slim that is much less pretty and I use it 5X as often as the Fat.
P.S. I also have a Slim that is much less pretty and I use it 5X as often as the Fat.
+1, or even post a WTB/WTT for a Fatboy on the BST.
The Slim is also a great vintage adjustable, solid great shaver, and usually a few bucks less in price. It's hard to compare them, since they are different experiences. If you like razors heavier with thicker shorter handles, then the Fatboy is the way you'll want to go eventually.
I picked one up on eBay a few months ago for about $38 including shipping. Took a handful of auctions before I got this one at that price. Just takes patience. On the other hand, I see at least several FB's here on the BST that range from $30-$40 (and are probably more trustworthy). At that price they are all user grade, so have some plating loss. I sent one of mine out to Reliable Electroplating and had it re-done in Rhodium (cost was $55). Now it looks brand new and cost less than $90 when it was all said and done for the razor + plating. Not bad if you want a nice display piece. The one I use in my rotation however is a user grade one that I picked up from a member here. Looks great for its age. Cost will be dictated by what type of condition you're looking for.
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- #12
I'm wanting to pay about $40 - 50 for one. I don't care if it isn't perfect, I just don't want it to be a beater. In my mind, it is the razor that my grandfather took the blade out of to let me play shave as a kid, so it is more a nostalgia piece than anything. It won't be displayed or necessarily used a whole heck of a lot.
I have had luck on Ebay by finding ones that are not properly identified as a FatBoy. Most misidentifications are something someone is calling something a Fatboy that isn't but every now and then you will find one that is a Fatboy but not listed that way (or even as a Gillette). I have found three this way in the $25 range. One is out to KronaCrusier for nickel re-plating. BTW, I like my Fatboy more than my Slim but YMMV.
I picked one up a week ago or so on ebay ($42) in quite good condition. It's a 'birthyear' present from me (1960) so I treated myself. I've also come across several fatboys in antique stores that were in pretty bad condition - but all were priced comparable or higher than many found on ebay ($65 an up). I asked one dealer about determining the values of merchandise such as these old razors and he honestly stated they often use ebay to help gauge their own inventory pricing.
I've had a Slim for a while, but never really cared much for it. About a month ago, I stopped in a little antique shop and asked if they had any old shaving stuff. The guy dug around in a drawer and produced an E-3 (1959) Fatboy in excellent (if filthy) condition. Ten bucks; it pays to ask!
I must be one of those people who prefers "razors heavier with thicker shorter handles", because I'm really liking it, much more than the Slim.
I must be one of those people who prefers "razors heavier with thicker shorter handles", because I'm really liking it, much more than the Slim.
good luck just dont out bid me 
Damn right !!!
I got mine (mint, w/o case) for $20 at an antique store. You gotta be lucky and patient. The bay is a swirling vortex for RAD over-payments if you don't be careful. Know the approximate "market values' and set your own limits. Also, watch the BST here, or post a WTB. You can usually do much better by dealing within the brotherhood.
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- #20
I am the same way. I'm still w/o a fat boy. I was trying to so something local but no dice. I guess one day I'll jump on one here, I found ebay to be completely obnoxious w/ the sniper bids.
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