Gold Fatboy with a Toggle end? - a lesson on how not to title your eBay auction?

[yuppiejr]

Hi,

So this morning I'm doing my usual Saturday morning coffee fueled eBay browsing for various gadgets and collectibles I keep tabs on. Since discovering this forum I usually pause to check out the nicer "like new/in box" sets that pop up for the collector crowd to better educate myself for future antique/flea market shopping trips. This morning I saw this auction labeled:

<link and auction title text removed... sorry guys, no harm intended - not my sale, just saw this item and linked it for reference>

Am I correct in assuming the item described is a fairly rare and important razor for the collector crowd out there particularly considering it includes the box + blade safe? I know gold Fatboys are usually called something else (executive?) but I haven't seen one with that toggle end before?

Happy Saturday,

J

 

[Emmett]

links to live auctions are not allowed.

 

[BBrad]

Yes, the Toggle is one of the "holy grails" of our hobby, and like anything else, condition, case, and accessories add to the value.

BTW - it is against the forum rules to post a direct link to a live auction . . .

One of our members may have been bidding on it, hoping it would stay under the radar of the rest of us RAD-suffering razor geeks!!

 

[RazorPete]

Good luck on the sale. Looks like a great razor.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

As the others have said, that is definitely a Toggle and links to live auctions are frowned upon so as to not set off a massive rush on a razor and spoil somebody's chance at getting a great deal.

In any event, here is a link to the safety razor of the week write up about the Toggle: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=66258 . I actually have one, but only because I found it for $5 at an antique shop. It's worn pretty badly, but still works great. I'm actually thinking about getting it replated nickel as I prefer silver to gold and the finish is already pretty beat up. But as neat of a razor as it is, I would never pay what they go for on eBay.

 

[yuppiejr]

Bah, sorry guys.... was not my intent to out anyone's purchase or indirectly promote someone else's sale, yanked any reference & link to the auction in question - my interest was purely academic.

 

[Emmett]

No biggie, everyone's probably done it once.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

No big deal, yuppiejr.

They really are a neatly designed razor. And they shave well too. They have a good heft and balance, which enables you to just let the razor glide without using any extra pressure.

 

[RazorPete]

just let the razor glide without using any extra pressure.

Unless you stand on your head for the ATG pass or lean fully horizontal for your XTG pass, the weight of the razor can only shave you a third of the time.

 

[BBrad]

Unless you stand on your head for the ATG pass or lean fully horizontal for your XTG pass, the weight of the razor can only shave you a third of the time.

Well, yeah, I do it all the time!!

Weight is more than just the gravity pulling down . . . it affects the balance in your hand more than anything else. Better balance feel equals better razor control.

How the razor "feels" and how you are able to control it is really a matter of "YMMV" . . . but it is a very important factor indeed!!

I've never had the pleasure of having a Toggle in my hand . . . but, like most of us, I would welcome the opportunity!!

 

[luvmysuper]

Unless you stand on your head for the ATG pass or lean fully horizontal for your XTG pass, the weight of the razor can only shave you a third of the time.

That's just a memory helper.
It is meant to convey the idea that the weight of the razor is the only pressure required to shave properly.
When shaving "against gravity" one would need to apply as much pressure as would be required to duplicate the feeling of the razor against the skin in a with gravity stroke.

 

[Copierguy]

That's just a memory helper.
It is meant to convey the idea that the weight of the razor is the only pressure required to shave properly.
When shaving "against gravity" one would need to apply as much pressure as would be required to duplicate the feeling of the razor against the skin in a with gravity stroke.

***** Warning: Do not exceed 1G *****

 

[BBrad]

I think Phil and I both are "gravitating" toward the same conclusion, but with different wording.

Your "feel", or ability to control the razor's pressure against the skin, has a lot to do with preventing irritation or "razor burn".

I find I can either go ATG on my final pass, perform a "J" hook, or buff due to my ability to "feel" the pressure of the blade against my skin. If excessive pressure is applied, irritation (and pain and blood) will be the result. In my experience, I have virtually no irritation (or the other stuff) because I am "one" with the blade.

Realizing that I am now way off topic . . . I would only assume that the balance and temperament of the Toggle allows one to have wonderful shaves . . .

 

[RazorPete]

Weight is more than just the gravity pulling down . . . it affects the balance in your hand more than anything else. Better balance feel equals better razor control.

Yes that makes sense. Having a heavier razor because you like the feel and balance of it, I can certainly understand.

That's just a memory helper.
It is meant to convey the idea that the weight of the razor is the only pressure required to shave properly.
When shaving "against gravity" one would need to apply as much pressure as would be required to duplicate the feeling of the razor against the skin in a with gravity stroke.

I totally understand what you are saying. And perhaps this is more of a philosophical question, but if the goal is to apply as much pressure as would be required to duplicate a gravity stroke, then does that mean I can press harder ATG with a merkur 38c, than I can with a 23c? Even though they have the same head?

I would assume you would agree this is a silly supposition. At the same time, I would just like to ask you, what pass do you think gets you to BBS, and has the most potential to induce razor burn? Would it be WTG or would it be ATG?

If your answer is ATG, then finally I would ask this: Since ATG can be a deciding factor between getting BBS or getting razor burn, and since the pressure applied during that pass is not dictated by the weight of the razor, do you think weight is a significant influence on razor aggressiveness? For example, if you replaced a nickel Bull Mastiff handle on a 23c, would that make it more aggressive? Personally I think not.

 

[BBrad]

Yes that makes sense. Having a heavier razor because you like the feel and balance of it, I can certainly understand.

That's it exactly . . . that's why my '48 Aristocrat works as well for me as it does!!

Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

(Balance + "Feel") * (Lather + Prep) = Results

 

[RazorPete]

That's it exactly . . . that's why my '48 Aristocrat works as well for me as it does!!

Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

(Balance + "Feel") * (Lather + Prep) = Results

Yes, I am a big fan of balance, lather and prep, and I especially like results. But despite the common perception on the forum, what I question is whether razor weight directly translates into aggressiveness.

 

[BBrad]

Yes, I am a big fan of balance, lather and prep, and I especially like results. But despite the common perception on the forum, what I question is whether razor weight directly translates into aggressiveness.

My thought (and experience) is that a lighter "feel" can lead to more pressure . . . likewise, if the razor feels too heavy, one could "hold back" too much.

When it feels "perfect" to me, and my focus is "right on", I get the best shaves.