Back in the day, most manufacturers took pride in their work (not all). But what can you expect from a ten year old working in a Chinese sweat shop. 

@Star_Wahl_Clipper_Treker, the Fatboy is a gateway drug. It was the first vintage Gillette razor I ever bought. I've been bingeing since. I've lost a precise count of how many vintage Gillette razors I now have, but it's approaching 100. I think I currently have four Fatboys with at least two more on the way. Both of those are super grungy, but I'll get them back into working order, likely for someone else to enjoy. The vast majority of vintage Gillette razors are incredibly well made. Even the original OLD types usually still shave perfectly even when the handle is cracked (which is nearly always).
The shear number of razors I've bought has more than clogged my available display space. Just this morning, I decided to buy an acrylic test tube holder (holds 12) as a way of seeing whether I could use it as a way to display more of what I've got (and make them visible for me to use). The rack arrives tomorrow. We'll see how it goesWOW, you sure do have an impressive vintage collection! I am honestly grateful to just have one Gillette Fatboy. Sinatra Lennon has at least 4 Gillette Fatboys, and 3 of them are in excellent condition, while 1 of them is super grungy, infact so much so, he nicknamed that one, Grampa Grungy lol. And wouldn't you know it, out of all 4, that is the Fatboy he likes to use most often.
Those Old Type razors look pretty neat with the ball on the bottom of the handle, you really pick up on the art deco with those things. Of course all those razors were design for thicker blades I've heard, which I guess that explains why some folks on B&B stockpile vintage blades hehe. So, do you put all your vintage razors on display, or do you just stick them in a drawer?
Hopefully you got them on display, which that alone would up your cool factor hehe![]()
Although the issue of which Gillette Adjustable is the best razor is virtually impossible to resolve objectively, I will cast my vote just as @ShaverAZ. I've used Fatboys, Slims, and Super Adjustables. They are all fine shaving machines, I just like the balance of durability and maneuverability embodied in the Slim. I probably doesn't hurt that the Slim was released during my birth quarterIt really does make it more exciting to get a 195 as your first razor, since it does shave nicely. Unfortunately I already had a collection of Techs, Superspeeds, long & short combs and old types, so to me it didn't perform any better. I have a Slim & Slim Aristocrat that I actually prefer that get much more use. They shave as well as the 195, but are more streamlined & maneuverable.
You’re going to need more test tube holders at this rate.I did, however, just pick something up this morning that I'm dying to throw into this mix of which "mainstream" Adjustable is the best. Behold, the 1958 D3 Gillette Executive pictured on the left below!
View attachment 1481359
I did, indeed, buy this Executive in an estate sale as part of these four razors--THREE Adjustables and a stepchild black handled Super Speed (a nice-shaving razor in its own right). They are all pictured in the condition in which I found them. Only the Executive would even open. The other three are firmly frozen shut, and I will be giving them a hot ultrasonic cleaning. Say a prayer for these razors. I'll post a follow up after I give them some razor spa treatment.
I did, however, just pick something up this morning that I'm dying to throw into this mix of which "mainstream" Adjustable is the best. Behold, the 1958 D3 Gillette Executive pictured on the left below!
View attachment 1481359
I did, indeed, buy this Executive in an estate sale as part of these four razors--THREE Adjustables and a stepchild black handled Super Speed (a nice-shaving razor in its own right). They are all pictured in the condition in which I found them. Only the Executive would even open. The other three are firmly frozen shut, and I will be giving them a hot ultrasonic cleaning. Say a prayer for these razors. I'll post a follow up after I give them some razor spa treatment.
Color me jealous!Well, it appears that you've found "the one" and can stop searching...or keep going, you know, just to be sure.
Glad it has worked so well for you.
Quick addition to the story of my Fatboy:
I made an offer that was about 30% less than marked, and the clerk called the owner to see if she would accept. She did, and she also told him that it was her deceased father's razor.
This might sound dumb, but somehow I feel a duty to take great care of it.
I'm beginning to accumulate cheap junk-condition razors for parts to use in refurbishing other razors. I have yet another #160 Goodwill cap & bottom plate that came without a ball end on the handle. Over a couple of days I've got some donor razors in the mail, as well as a couple that should be cleaned up and replated.I did, however, just pick something up this morning that I'm dying to throw into this mix of which "mainstream" Adjustable is the best. Behold, the 1958 D3 Gillette Executive pictured on the left below!
View attachment 1481359
I did, indeed, buy this Executive in an estate sale as part of these four razors--THREE Adjustables and a stepchild black handled Super Speed (a nice-shaving razor in its own right). They are all pictured in the condition in which I found them. Only the Executive would even open. The other three are firmly frozen shut, and I will be giving them a hot ultrasonic cleaning. Say a prayer for these razors. I'll post a follow up after I give them some razor spa treatment.