Hey Big Fellow! You look MARVELOUS (apologies to Billy Crystal)

[Amir]

Well, if I were in marketing at Gillette (in the 1920's), I would have politely asked whether we could come up with another name.

Imagine the quizzical look on a friend's face, when I asked if she wanted to see my 'Big Fellow', just before I brought her into my shave den!

My best guess is that this fine Big Fellow New Improved is from the height of the 'Roaring 20's' - 1928 or 29 - because there is no serial number, either on the flat base plate or barrel. It's gold plated, and shows a Gillette diamond logo and 'made in Canada' on the plate and 'patented 1920' at the bottom of the barrel. I have yet to see one like this, from Canada, in a gold box with a gold bank.

The 10 blades included (#2262 also made in Canada), bear King Gillette's signature. Am I correct on the dating?

Can anyone enlighten on whether it's rather unique, since most Big Fellows seem to have been made in the US, and were nickle-plated, in the gum wood box?

It appears as though I am the first to put this fine bit of workmanship to use!






Hey Big Fellow users, I'm curious about how you feel it shaves compared to others, as I size it up to the likes of the Goodwill, #77/88 or #15?

Regards,

Steve

 

[ras120]

Ah, so you're the one who snapped that up. You'd be looking at my pictures if I was still in collecting mode.

That was a real good price for a less common gold metal cased model in what appears to be unused condition. The 'Made In Canada' models are definitely a lot less common than the US models, but I'm not sure that they would be considered rare.

Shave-wise, I like long handled razors, but I prefer the head of the #77/#88 or NEW De Luxe over the New Improved. Still, it's a great shaver, and the extra weight makes the shave that much easier.

That's a real beauty, for sure!

Here's my Canadian NEW De Luxe Big Boy:

 

[coolbus18]

Hi Amir,
This link will keep you busy and help you with the i.d. Enjoy that beauty.
http://mr-razor.com/

 

[TXFirefighter10]

Saweeeeet!!!

 

[facetime]

That is a beauty, Congrats.
BTW, no need to apologize to B Crystal - pretty sure he spells it mahvelous, with an "h"

 

[mistercitizen]

That's a beauty!!

Ben

 

[Amir]

My first impressions now that I've handled the Big Fellow:

1) Impressive.
2) Efficient.
3) Balanced.

***Nice light touch with no pressure, and it's very effective***

Also, it's toothy! I count 14 teeth, like other New Improved and Old Type razors, compared to 13 on the Big Boy, Goodwill, NEW, #77/88, #15, etc - all of which more or less match up when you stand them on end and look down at the spacing/teeth - except for the ends on the #15.

The width of the head is the same, but the teeth on the Big Fellow seem more stout, with less space in between.

Do you folks think that affects the shaving characteristics?

 

[alex2363]

Well, if I were in marketing at Gillette (in the 1920's), I would have politely asked whether we could come up with another name.

Imagine the quizzical look on a friend's face, when I asked if she wanted to see my 'Big Fellow', just before I brought her into my shave den!

My best guess is that this fine Big Fellow New Improved is from the height of the 'Roaring 20's' - 1928 or 29 - because there is no serial number, either on the flat base plate or barrel. It's gold plated, and shows a Gillette diamond logo and 'made in Canada' on the plate and 'patented 1920' at the bottom of the barrel. I have yet to see one like this, from Canada, in a gold box with a gold bank.

The 10 blades included (#2262 also made in Canada), bear King Gillette's signature. Am I correct on the dating?

Can anyone enlighten on whether it's rather unique, since most Big Fellows seem to have been made in the US, and were nickle-plated, in the gum wood box?

It appears as though I am the first to put this fine bit of workmanship to use!



View attachment 335289View attachment 335290View attachment 335291View attachment 335292


Hey Big Fellow users, I'm curious about how you feel it shaves compared to others, as I size it up to the likes of the Goodwill, #77/88 or #15?

Regards,

Steve

Yes, no date code puts in that range. hers a nice thread http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/150060-The-Gillette-Big-Boy-Big-Fellows

 

[alex2363]

That is a beauty, Congrats.
BTW, no need to apologize to B Crystal - pretty sure he spells it mahvelous, with an "h"

In reality it was Spanish /American actor Fernando Lamas who coined that phrase, "You look Marvelous", but Billy made it modern and famous.



Fernando also said "It is better to look good than to feel good"

 

[Amir]

I thought that I might resurrect this Big Fellow thread, because once again, I was amazed how it mowed down four days of growth after a long holiday weekend. Not only handsome, but efficient, too.