I get a BBS and blood-free shave from my Edwin Jagger DE87. From time to time, though, I get the urge to use my father's old Gillette Fatboy...which is in excellent condition for being 40 years old. Unfortunately, my Fatboy cannot replicate the quality of my shave with the DE87--even with a mild setting of 3. My Fatboy gives me a DFS at best, along with a few weepers. I certainly don't think the Fatboy on 3 has a greater blade exposure than on DE87, so am I dealing with a difference in blade angle between the two razors? Just trying to figure out why I'm having such a difference in shave quality.
Help--Problems using Gillette Fatboy
- Thread starter lithiaman
- Start date
The head of the Fatboy is pretty bulky, and I have found that I need to play with the angle a bit to get that nice balance of close without taking off a layer of epidermis here and there.
I love the idea of the Fat Boy being adjustable, but I don't find that it gives me the best shave. I do agree that it takes some practice and with time it will get better. That being said, I have found other razors that I like better than my Fat Boy.
Different razors do better with different blades, too. The Muhle head on our EJ is remarkably versatile, and gives excellent shaves with a wide variety of blades. May I suggest getting a blade sampler and trying different ones until you find one that works? Definitely a case of YMMV.
You may still find the EJ works best on your face, but you should be able to get a great shave with the Fatboy with the right blade and setting. (Also, I found starting with a setting of 4 worked best for me when sampling the blades.)
You may still find the EJ works best on your face, but you should be able to get a great shave with the Fatboy with the right blade and setting. (Also, I found starting with a setting of 4 worked best for me when sampling the blades.)
Set it on 4. You've got to take short light strokes with the FB. No pressure.
Either that, or to keep from removing skin . . .
My first few FB shaves were not the greatest either. Had me wondering what all the hype was about!! Finally got balance and pressure right, as well as opening it up to 5 and now get consistent and comfortable shaves every time the razor comes up in rotation.
I think I had the razor set too tame (fear?) and was using too much pressure to compensate.
Crank that FB up to 7,8 or 9. Several of us have found the adjustables work better at wide open throttle.
I demand a recount.
+1, It's actually a mild razor. I start mine at 7 for blades like Iridium and Shark, and at 5 for Feather.
+1. Fewer passes and less buffing required. Better pucker up when going ATG on the neck region though.
Never could get a good shave from a FB.
That is true. Or maybe a Muhle
That is even more true.
The Fatboy rocks at higher settings!
By the way, there is a Fatboy Owners Group here at B&B - please be invited and join the club!
It's quite obvious that your Fatboy isn't working for it and it never will.
So don't waste any more time with it. Sell it to me!
Jeff in Boston
So don't waste any more time with it. Sell it to me!
Jeff in Boston
It could just be the fatboy isn't for you. I have a better time with the slim than the fatboy using the same blade/settings. It's a YMMV situation for sure.
